mybibleschool
Introduction to Church History
Lesson 1
Tyler S. Fulcher
What is your impression of Christianity?
You could answer this question a million different ways.
Depending on your background, you might offer a positive, negative, or neutral assessment of Christianity.
One thing is for sure.
You would have to admit that Christianity has played a major role in the development of the modern world.
This blog is the first in a series of posts designed to introduce you to Christian history. If you're interested, these two books are my primary conversation partners.
- Mullin, R. B. (2014). A Short World History of Christianity (Revised edition.). Westminster John Knox Press.
- González, Justo L. (2010). The Story of Christianity Vols. I-II (Revised Edition). HarperOne.
- Weaver, C. D., & Roldán-Figueroa, R. (Eds.). (2024). Exploring Christian Heritage : A Reader in History and Theology (Third edition.). Baylor University Press.
***These are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase a copy through these links, you'll be supporting my work here.
Objectives of these Posts
1) To introduce and make sense of 2,000 years of Christian history
This is a tall task, but it is worthwhile. Most Christians are completely unaware of their heritage. They do not appreciate how their beliefs and practices fit within and are influenced by two thousand years of history.
Each subject, I discuss in these articles are worth substantially more time than I can devote to them. When appropriate, I will point you to additional resources if you wish to dive deeper into the topic.
Even so, gaining a 30,000 foot view of Christian history will help you immensely as you grow in your faith.
2) To highlight the great diversity of thought and cultures in Christianity
If you listen to mainstream American critiques of Christianity, you may think it is primarily a white, evangelical religion.
This caricature is a misnomer. American evangelicalism may play an outsized role in the United States, but it is extremely reductionistic to assume this represents the whole of Christianity today or throughout history.
In these articles, I intend to highlight the influence and importance of Christians from all over the world.
3) To highlight the role of non-Western men and women
Closely related to the previous objective, I intend to highlight the significance of non-Western men and women in the history of Christianity.
As we will see, Christianity's growth in Europe and North America has played a significant role in Christian history for centuries. One unfortunate result is that many critics of Christianity argue it is just a white man's religion.
Again, this critique is misinformed. The early centuries of Christianity were not dominated by Europeans. Additionally, there has always been vibrant expressions of Christianity that were neither European or white.
To be clear, this objective is not meant to minimize the significance of European figures in Christian history. Their stories will be included throughout these articles.
I am instead seeking to correct an imbalance in the way most people percieve Christianity.
4) To examine Christian beliefs, practices, and politics
Finally, I will examine Christian teachings from both within and without.
How did Christian beliefs and practices develop? Why did they develop in such ways?
These are questions I will explore as I discuss important figures and events in Christian history.
At the same time, how did Christianity interact with the world around it? How did it position itself within the surrounding political structures of the world?
Acts 29, 30, 31...
Have you ever paused to consider how the book of Acts ends?
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30-31 NRSV)
What do you notice about these verses?
The story has no ending.
It's a curious way to end the story. Luke apparently had at least two years of information he could have included, but he chose not to do that.
Many people have suggested Luke intentionally left the ending of the story open. After all, how can one conclude the story of the Church. It is always developing and expanding.
In that way, some people describe Christian history as the continuation of the story not concluded in Acts 28.
You could describe Christian history as Acts 29, 30, 31, and etc.
As we learn about these other chapters in Christian history, we will learn about many wonderful people and events. Unfortunately, we will also encounter discomforting stories of people who did horrendous things in the name of Christ and his Church.
It is important to acknowledge from the beginning: Church history is not the story of SAINTS only. It always includes SINNERS too.
This dichotomy between saint and sinner should not be surprising. We see both in the New Testament.
Peter and Paul fought in Galatia.
Paul strongly opposed "Christians" who were leading others astray.
As G.K. Chesterton wrote,
"When the world goes wrong, it proves rather that the Church is right. The Church is justified, not because her children do not sin, but because they do." (The Everlasting Man).
If our era of Church history constitutes another chapter in the unfinished Book of Acts, we must embrace the whole story. We must examine the parts we find inspiring and those we find disturbing because they have shaped the Christianity we know today. They hold valuable lessons we must learn if we are to emulate the good and avoid the bad.
Reflection
Take some time to answer these questions:
- What do you know about Christian history?
- Describe or list the major events and figures you are familiar with from the whole of Christian history.
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