Church History 1: Pentecost To Pre-Reformation
Church History 1: Pentecost To Pre-Reformation
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Course Description
This course provides the students the opportunity to observe the development of the Christian church, its thoughts and the development and formulation of its doctrines leading to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century. It hopes to enlighten the students to understand and appreciate the church’s arduous journey from its infancy to just before the events that changed the Christian church forever. Along the way, the students will discover, among other things, that certain movements or ideas in today’s church are not new but were already present in the ancient church. The course hopes that the students will be able to apply the lessons they have learned to their own life and ministry today.
Course Objectives
To learn the important milestones in the church’s life from its infancy to the period just before the Reformation.
To observe the development of the thought and doctrine of the Christian church.
To take note of various movements and ideas within the church which may bear semblance to current movements and ideas and to be aware of how they ended previously.
To help the students to appreciate God’s role in the history of the church, His providence and sustenance of His people whether they were faithful or not.
To encourage the development of critical thinking so that the students will be able to discern new and “not so new” ideas in the modern day.
Lessons
Introduction
Year 35 to 120
Year 120 to 220
Year 220 to 305
Year 305 to 324
Year 324 to 430
Year 431 to 476
Year 480 to 1000
Year 1000 to 1300
Year 1300-1500
Why must we study history of the Church?
The Apostolic Period
The Period of the Apologists
The Church of the 3rd Century
The Imperial Church Part 1: Constantine
The Imperial Church Part 2: Roman Church
The Imperial Church Part 3: The End
The Early Middle Ages: The beginning of the Rot
The High Middle Ages: The Crusades
The Late Middle Ages: The Rotting Papacy
Recommended Texts
Ferguson, Everett. Church History, Volume One: From Christ to Pre-Reformation: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context. Grand Rapid: Zondervan, 2005.
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. New York. Harper Collins, 2014.
Course Expectations
The students are encouraged to prepare themselves for classes by going through the Church History Timeline found at www.churchtimeline.com. Additionally, they are encouraged to watch good YouTube videos on church history found at: https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanReevesM.
Course Evaluation
a. Class participation (10%)
b. Assignment 1 (30%)
i. Prepare a brief introduction to any one (1) of the nine (9) time periods which we have gone through during the course, summarising the issues and presenting your opinion concisely. The brief introduction must be between 500 to 600 words.
c. Assignment 2 (60%)
i. Write one (1) essay of between 1,000 to 1,500 words answering one (1) of the following questions:
1. The rise of Islam in the 7th Century was God’s judgment on the Christian church. Do you agree with this statement?
2. The papacy began as an ideal system of keeping the church intact and consistent. Discuss why it ended being what it was that resulted in the Reformation of the 16th Century.
3. Constantine and his acceptance of the Christian faith is seen by many as a triumph for God. However, do you think and agree with the idea that it was the beginning of the decline of true and faithful Christianity. Please elaborate your answer.
4. Today Christian Creeds are seen as archaic and irrelevant and are relegated to being recited at Church services. After going through the course, explain what you understand of the Creeds and their importance to the Church today.
5. The Crusades were wars waged by the Christian church against enemies of God. How do you feel about the Crusades now that you have gone through the course?
Revd. Kelvin Jawa
Revd. Kelvin Jawa
Lecturer
Tel. No.: 0135677879
Email: kelvin.jawa@gmail.com
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