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ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΚΟ ΣΕΜΙΝΑΡΙΟ
Church History Studies
Church History Studies
- Church History
CH101 Introducing Church History I: Obscurity to Christendom
CH102 Introducing Church History II: Reformation to Postmodernism
CH111 Understanding the Protestant Reformation: Precursors and Legacy
CH151 Introducing Historical Theology: Apostles to the Reformation
CH152 Introducing Historical Theology: Luther to the Twenty-First Century
Beginning with the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, CH101 covers the story of Christianity up to the 15th century. Dr. James unravels the distinct thought and persecution of the early Christians, as well as the key historical turning points that would result in the formation of doctrines such as the doctrine of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Trinity. This course introduces you to the important work of Augustine, who responded to the Donatists and Pelagius in a way that would have lasting marks on the church. Dr. James traces the historical context of the rise of the papacy; the violence of the first Crusades and their lingering effects; and the rise of medieval scholasticism, particularly in the work of Thomas Aquinas. This course concludes with an explanation of the Great Schism of the 14th century and the early reform attempts by John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, which paved the way for the Protestant Reformation.
If you’ve ever wished you knew more about the events of the Protestant Reformation and how the Reformation produced the contemporary Protestant church, CH102 is for you. This course dispels popular misconceptions of Martin Luther’s intentions, and it provides a close look at Luther’s call from God which led him out of the monastery, his teaching on sola fide, and his eventual excommunication. Dr. James teaches you how to distinguish between Luther, the Swiss Reformers (including John Calvin, the “accidental reformer”), and the so-called Radical Reformers. He also provides a helpful explanation of the Council of Trent, the formation of the Jesuits, and the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Dr. James then helps you navigate the historical and theological developments that led to Arminianism, English Puritanism, and Puritanism in New England. Learn how the spiritual decline in England led to John Wesley’s Methodism, the English Revival, and the Great Awakening in America, and get an in-depth look at Christianity in the modern era. After this course, you will be able to articulate how even through all of the twists and turns of the past 2,000 years, God is still working in the modern church.
Understanding the Protestant Reformation: Precursors and Legacy (CH111) is presented by a team of respected Christian scholars: Jennifer Powell McNutt, Roger E. Olson, Frank A. James III, Gerald L. Bray, Chris Armstrong, and Frederick Cardoza. These scholars are well published in church history, theology, and Christian education, and their combined expertise facilitates students gaining clear insight into the Reformation. This course covers the precursors to the Protestant Reformation, the prominent Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin, and the Reformation’s impact on the reading of Scripture, the church, and Christian discipleship.
In this course, you’ll learn about the first 1,500 years of Christian history, focusing especially on the development of Christian doctrine. Instructor Roger Olson expands on doctrines such as the Trinity and Christ’s hypostatic union—doctrines that most Christians are aware of, but may never have studied at length. The Middle Ages are covered, particularly highlighting the way that medieval theologians understood the knowledge of God and the relationship between faith and reason. The course ends with the Renaissance—a period during which there were initial calls for reform within the church—and early church reformers who came before the theology of Martin Luther.
In this course, you’ll begin by studying the Catholic church and its theology on the cusp of the Protestant Reformation, setting the stage for the work of Luther, Calvin, and other Protestant Reformers. You’ll continue on to study the post-Reformation period and various Christian movements such as Pietism, Puritanism, and Methodism. A study of modernity, beginning with the Enlightenment and the scientific revolutions, introduces the advent of liberal theology and the response of conservative theologians to the challenges of modernity. The course ends with a study of the postmodernity—its meaning, and the variety of ways that Christian theologians have responded to postmodern thought.
In Historical Theology: The Patristic Period (CH201) Dr. George Kalantzis provides an in-depth study of the theological developments of the early church during the patristic era. Beginning with the world of early Christianity, you will grasp the major historical events, the philosophical ideas, and the pagan religions that shaped the world into which the New Testament church was born. The course covers topics such as persecution and martyrdom, apologetics, Gnosticism, ecclesiology, Christology, and the Trinity in the context of the Roman Empire. Lastly, you will learn what religious, historical, and political influences gave rise to the ecumenical councils that produced the foundational summaries of the Christian faith.
Discover a selection of milestone moments in history that have introduced you to the events, figures, and ideas of the Protestant Reformation. From reformation precursors to the exploration of Erasmus’ publication of the Greek NT, Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses and his translation of the NT. We’ve explored the “radical reformations revolution and re-baptism” and how the Turkish invasion of Europe had an impact on the Protestant Reformation. Delve into “the meeting of Protestants and Catholics at the Colloquy of Regensburg” and the issuing of the Peace of Augsburg. Gain a better understanding of the church today through the church of the past.
In The History of Christianity in the United States, Chris Armstrong provides an introduction to the major movements, ideas, figures, and events in American church history, from colonization to recent decades. See how transplanted European churches took root, and American originals sprang up, over the course of five centuries of challenges and opportunities: early settlements, the expansion of the frontier, wars of independence and unification, slavery, immigration, intellectual challenges to the faith, and the new political and social realities of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Learn how the church reinvented and reaffirmed its central identity in the face of these social changes, and discover the implications of American church history for Christian life and ministry in today’s culture.
God’s trinitarian nature is eternal and unchanging, yet how Christians have understood and expressed the doctrine of the Trinity has been shaped over two thousand years of church history. Dr. Fred Sanders surveys the development of the theology of the triune God from the age of the apostolic fathers down to the modern era. He emphasizes that while the source and foundation of this doctrine is Scripture, understanding the perspectives of believers over time can be a resource for us as we reflect on God’s self-revelation. You will be shown in depth how the testimony of the church has affirmed God’s triunity over the millennia, and you will come to see more clearly your position in the long line of believers standing face to face with Scripture, learning there of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Augustine of Hippo: Context and Influence Dr. Scott Harrower surveys the life of St. Augustine. See how Augustine rose from his middle class birth in unsung Thagaste to his prominent position as rhetoric teacher in the Roman imperial court in Milan and transformed from his ambitious and selfish careerism to a humble servant of the Church in Hippo and defender of some of the foundational doctrines of Christianity. Trace Augustine’s intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual journey as you see how Augustine sought truth and wisdom in Greek philosophy, Manichaeism, and other philosophies, before eventually finding it in Christianity. Learn how the grace and love of God played a powerful role in this man’s life, transforming him from a selfish, proud man into one of the most significant influences not only in the life of the Church, but also in the development of Western civilization.
In History and Theology of John Calvin (CH321) Dr. Michael Allen examines the life of one of the most influential sixteenth-century Reformers. Dr. Allen looks at the cultural context of Calvin’s life, exploring the forces that shaped him and the people he learned from. He then delves into the beliefs of Calvin, looking specifically at his extensive work Institutes of the Christian Religion. You’ll come away from the course with a fuller understanding of John Calvin, what he believed, and how his theology has influenced Christian thought ever since.
Learn more about “one of the most significant yet understudied theologians in American history.” In The Life and Thought of J. Deotis Roberts, Dr. Walter Strickland explores the teachings of J. Deotis Roberts—a highly esteemed theologian and one of the founders of the Black Theology movement. Dr. Strickland begins by exploring the context of Dr. Roberts, looking at his personal history and influences and describing the origin of black theology. From there, he discusses Dr. Roberts’s education and professional contributions, including his theological convictions, how they differ from mainstream black theology, and important themes in Dr. Roberts’s work.
In History of Heresies Dr. Michael Bird examines the missteps of theologians from the beginning of the Christian faith. The course begins by placing Christian heresy in the context of ancient Jewish and Graeco-Roman ideas about heresy. After looking at the unity and diversity of the early church, Dr. Bird examines Paul’s opponents, as well as false teachings/teachers in later New Testament documents like Jude and Revelation. From there, he explores later heresies like Docetism, Gnosticism, modalism and Arianism. The course concludes by looking at the Person of Christ and how to spot and avoid heresies today.
The early church saw unparalleled growth in the early centuries. Despite persecution and other obstacles, the church grew from zero to twenty percent of the world’s population by AD 500. What accounts for this growth and what can we learn from it?
In Evangelism in the Early Church (CH361) Dr. Sean McGever looks at this period of incredible growth. The course covers the growth from the book of Acts to the conversion of the emperor Constantine. Dr. McGever focuses on both the advantages and challenges encountered by the early church because of its location within the Roman Empire. He explores the persecution of the early church and addresses the misperception that it was continual and universal until the time of Constantine by examining the four principle eras and locations of persecution. Dr. McGever also addresses the evangelistic methods of the early church comparing and contrasting their methods with evangelistic methods used by the church today.
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