Church History
Learn from more than 60 theologians, pastors and teachers as they offer insight into the history of the church, from the apostolic era through the Reformation.
About this Lesson Series
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- 67 instructors
- Discipline
- Church History
- Course Group
- Church History
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- Course Materials, Academic Packets
Church history describes the growth of God’s kingdom on earth starting with Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem to the emergence of a global religion with countless followers from all nations. In this series, we’ll explore the growth and development of the church throughout history from the time of the apostles to the time of the Reformation. In the process, we’ll see the development of Christian theology, especially as God worked providentially in the church to clarify the Bible’s teaching on Trinitarian theology during the time of the church councils and soteriology during the time of the Reformation.
Series Goals
- Outline the history of the church from the time of the apostles through the Reformation.
- Explore theological controversies regarding the Trinity and Christology during the time of the church councils.
- Explore the various interactions between the church and its surrounding culture throughout history.
- Understand the forces that led to the Reformation in Europe.
- Explore the theological controversies surrounding soteriology and Scripture during the Reformation.
Lessons in this module
- 1 Historical MethodologyExamines why church history is important to study and how we should go about studying it.
- 2 The Early Church and the Roman EmpireExplores the history of the apostolic era and the early Church.
- 3 Patristic Fathers and the Ecumenical CouncilsTraces the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and Christological controversies.
- 4 Middle Ages and Roman Catholic TheologyExplores the history of the Holy Roman Empire, Medieval Roman Catholic Theology and the Renaissance.
- 5 Martin Luther and the German ReformationSurveys the beginnings of the Reformation in Germany from Luther to the Formula of Concord.
- 6 The Swiss ReformationInvestigates how the Reformation began in Switzerland with Zwingli and Calvin, as well as the Spread of Reformed Theology.
- 7 The English ReformationExplores the Reformation in England from its beginnings to the Westminster Assembly.