Overview of Church History

Sep 1, 2024

Church History Lecture

Introduction

  • Importance of understanding church history for Christians.
  • Christianity's global impact: 2.3 billion followers, numerous contributions to society in benevolence, science, medicine, and education.
  • Overview of church history:
    • Formation (30-300 AD)
    • Fame (300-600 AD)
    • Division (600-1000 AD)
    • Dark Ages (1000-1500 AD)
    • Reformation and beyond (1600s to present)

Church Formation (30-300 AD)

  • Birth of the church:
    • Started with Jesus's death and the Holy Spirit.
    • Spread to Gentiles due to Apostle Paul.
    • Council in Jerusalem: separation from Jewish traditions.
  • Spread of Christianity:
    • Factors: conviction to spread Jesus's message, persecution, miracles.
  • Formation of the New Testament Canon:
    • Apostolic authorship, conformance to Orthodox beliefs, widespread usage and consistency.
  • Persecution:
    • Romans initially tolerant; changed when Christians distinguished from Jews.
    • Persecution under Emperor Nero.
    • Accusations: sexual immorality, cannibalism, atheism.
  • Heresy: Gnosticism
    • Beliefs: dualism, secret knowledge, rejection of Old Testament God, denial of Jesus's humanity.

Church Fame (300-600 AD)

  • Rise of Christian fathers like Augustine and Jerome.
  • Conversion of Armenia as the first Christian state.
  • Edict of Milan (313 AD) granting religious tolerance.
  • Spread of Christianity as the national religion of Rome (380 AD).
  • Heresy: Arianism
    • Beliefs: Jesus as a created being, not fully divine.
  • Rise of Desert Fathers and monastic life.
  • Fall of Rome (410 AD) and spread of Christianity to German tribes and Ireland.

Church Division (600-1000 AD)

  • Church buildings as hospitals and schools.
  • Rise of Islam and rejection of Christianity.
  • Great Schism (1054): split into Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic churches.
    • Differences in beliefs about the Holy Spirit, the Pope, and other doctrines.

Church Dark Ages (1000-1500 AD)

  • Crusades: military campaigns to reclaim Holy Land from Muslims.
  • Power of the Pope and misuse of church authority.
  • Inquisition and punishment of heretics.
  • Practices like confession and penance, and the concept of purgatory.

Church Reformation (1500-1600s)

  • Pre-Protestant movements like the Moravians.
  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) initiating Protestant Reformation.
  • Differences between Protestants and Catholics:
    • Faith, scripture, Christ, and grace alone.
    • Church authority and sacraments.

Enlightenment and Modern Era (1600s-present)

  • Enlightenment: emphasis on reason and individualism.
  • Rise of Pentecostalism and Evangelical movements.
  • Great Awakenings in the USA.
  • Famous revivals: Azusa Street Revival, post-WWII awakenings, and modern evangelical efforts.
  • Influence of the 'Jesus Film' and 'Passion of the Christ'.

Conclusion

  • Church's resilience despite challenges and internal struggles.
  • Jesus's role in building and perfecting His church.
  • Encouragement to learn church history to understand beliefs and practices.

Full transcript