Christian History: Our Story

Arts & Professional Studies, Bible & Theology

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Course Description

Journey through the unfolding story of Christian theology, practice, culture, and institutions across history. You will gain insights into the key themes of Christian history, explore how Christian communities responded to their social and cultural environments, and reflect on how these historical insights can inform your own leadership and context today.

About this course

Introduction: the arc of Christian history

Part 1: How did we become orthodox and catholic?

‘The Way’: The early Church in its contexts

‘We believe’: Creeds and Councils

‘The City of God?’: Christianity and Empire Monasticism; Augustine

The expansion of Christianity in the West

Medieval Christendom; Monks and Scholars

Part 2: How did we become reformed?

Reforming Church: Luther

Reforming Church: Calvin, Anabaptism

Reforming Church: Denominations

‘By faith alone’: The Theology of Reform

Part 3: How did we become global?

Enlightenment and modern thought

The evangelical renewal in context

Global expansion of the church

Global Church: Christian expansion in Africa, Asia, Oceania and New Zealand

Global Church: turning points in the twentieth century

Students should choose between one of the required texts below for directed readings:
Englebrecht, Edward. A. ed. The Church from Age to Age: A History from Galilee to Global Christianity. St. Louis, MO: Concordia, 2011.
Gonzales, J.L. The Story of Christianity. Vol.1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation; Vol. 2 The Reformation to the Present Day, Rev Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 2010.
Students are also highly recommended to consult the following, on all topics up to and including Luther:
Lange, Stuart. “Between the Bible and Now”, a series of articles on Christian history topics published in Reality between 1999 and 2004