Develop 301

Church History

Taught by Angela Ketterhagen unless otherwise noted.

Why Study Church History? We have a rich Christian heritage over the past 2000+ years. There is much to learn from great thinkers of the past, both orthodox beliefs to embrace as well as errors to be avoided.

Church history can be highly inspirational. Think of Martin Luther challenging the authorities of his day. Think of the martyrs who paid for their faith with their blood. “The study of church history, however, is meant to provide more than just inspiration. Serious reflection on the past protects us from error, reminds us of God's faithfulness, and motivates us to persevere.”1
1https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/why-study-church-history

EARLY CHURCH HISTORY (60-500 A.D)

09.10.23 Introduction to Church History and the New Testament Church
      Handout: Ten Reasons to Read About Church History
09.17.23 2nd Century Persecution and Defense of the Faith
09.24.23 Docetism, Gnosticism, Marcion, Montanism
10.01.23 Canon, Creed, Apostolic Succession
      Link:   Gloria: Bibliology
      Video: How Did We Get The Biblical Canon?
      Video: What is the Apocrypha?
10.08.23 Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen (Adam Tredeau)
10.15.23 Hippolytus/Callistus and 3rd Century Persecution (Mike Davis)
10.22.23 Prominence of the Church of Rome and Problems Facing the Church
      Video: St. Patrick's Bad Analogies
10.29.23 Early Christian Life (Patrick Griffiths)
11.05.23 Manichaeanism and the Great Persecution
11.12.23 The Final Victory and the Rise of Constantine
Eusebius of Caesarea and Monasticism
11.26.23 Donatism and Julian the Apostate (Jim Guyette)
12.03.23 Arianism and the Council of Nicaea
12.10.23 The Council of Nicaea and Athanasius
01.07.24 The Great Cappadocians and the Council of Constantinople (Patrick Griffiths)
      Slides:    Cappadocians
      Article:   The Life and Influence of our Holy Mother Macrina
01.14.24 Ambrose of Milan, John Chrysostom and Jerome
01.21.24 Augustine, Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism
01.28.24 Christological Controversies to Chalcedon
02.04.24 The Spread of Christianity Beyond the Roman Empire and Imperial Christian Life (Adam Tredeau)

MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY (500-1500 A.D)

02.11.24 The Germanic Kingdoms and Benedictine Monasticism
02.18.24 The Papacy
02.25.24 The Eastern and Western Churches in the 5th and 6th Centuries
      Map: Roman Empire Christianity during the Medieval period
      Handout: Church History Definitions
03.03.24 The Eastern Church from the 7th - 11th Centuries
03.10.24 Islam and the Church (Adam Tredeau)
      Map: Islamic Conquest Between the 7th and 9th Century
03.17.24 Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire
03.24.24 Theological Activity, Schism & Norse Conversion
04.07.24 The Cluniac Revival, Hildebrand, and the Investiture Controversy
04.14.24 The Crusades
04.21.24 Universities and the Rise of Scholasticism (Adam Tredeau)
04.28.24 Thomas Aquinas and Pope Innocent III
05.05.24 The Inquisition, New Monastic Orders & Dissenting Movements
05.12.24 The Byzantine Empire: From the Crusades to the Fall of Constantinople
05.19.24 The Catholic Church in Crisis: The Avignonese Captivity to the Hussites

THE REFORMATION (1500 A.D) - beginning September 2024