Overview
This lecture traces the origins, historical spread, and major changes in Christianity from the time of Jesus Christ to the present, highlighting key events, movements, and global expansion.
Origins of Christianity
- Christianity began with Jesus Christ, a Jew crucified around 30 AD in Roman Judea.
- The apostles, especially Paul, were crucial in spreading Christianity through the Mediterranean.
- The four gospels of the New Testament were completed by 100 AD.
Early Spread and Organization
- Mark is credited with founding the church in Alexandria (Coptic Orthodox Church origin).
- Thomas is traditionally said to have brought Christianity to India, though this is disputed.
- Christianity spread across the Roman Empire by the end of the 1st century AD.
Legalization and Establishment
- In 312, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity after his conversion.
- The Council of Nicaea (325) produced the Nicene Creed, a foundational Christian statement of faith.
- Christianity continued to fragment into different sects and doctrinal disputes.
Expansion and Persecution
- Christianity became the state religion in Armenia (c. 301) and Axum (Ethiopia, c. 330).
- Christians were persecuted in the Roman Empire until legalized.
- Theodosius made Christianity the state religion of Rome in 380 AD, leading to suppression of pagan religions.
Medieval Growth and Division
- Missionaries converted rulers and their realms in Europe, accelerating Christianity's spread.
- Important conversions: St. Patrick in Ireland, Clovis in Gaul, and others in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
- Tensions led to the Great Schism of 1054: split into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
Crusades and Further Expansion
- Pope Urban II initiated the Crusades in 1095 to reclaim the Holy Land.
- Crusades led to temporary Christian states in the Levant and campaigns in Northern and Eastern Europe.
Global Missionary Activity
- Christianity spread to China, India, Africa, and through European colonization in the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.
- The Protestant Reformation in 1517 fragmented Christianity further, especially in Northern Europe.
Modern Era and Worldwide Spread
- Christianity accompanied European colonization and missionary work in Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Asia.
- Significant religious revivals occurred (Great Awakenings) in Britain and the U.S.
- Christianity proved resilient during communist suppression and adapted in modern global societies.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Apostles — Early followers and messengers of Jesus who spread Christianity.
- Gospels — Four books of the New Testament recounting Jesus’s life and teachings.
- Nicene Creed — A foundational statement of Christian belief established at the Council of Nicaea.
- Great Schism — The 1054 split between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
- Protestant Reformation — 16th-century movement reforming and dividing Western Christianity.
- Missionaries — Individuals sent to spread Christianity to new regions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the timeline of major events in Christian history.
- Study the key differences between Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity.
- Read about key figures: Paul, Constantine, Martin Luther, and major missionaries.