Introduction © John Stevenson, 2013

Dr. John T. Stevenson

Course Objectives To recognize and identify the major contours of the history of the Christian Church.To recognize and identify the major contours of the history of the Christian Church. To identify, explain and evaluate both the unity and the diversity of the various Christian traditions.To identify, explain and evaluate both the unity and the diversity of the various Christian traditions. To interpret and evaluate Christianity’s own self-definition and the Church’s varied encounters with its surrounding culture.To interpret and evaluate Christianity’s own self-definition and the Church’s varied encounters with its surrounding culture.

Course Objectives To recognize and to evaluate the theological development that has taken place in the life of the Church.To recognize and to evaluate the theological development that has taken place in the life of the Church. To explain and discuss key ideas of significant actors through careful reading, reflection, observation, discussion and examination of primary source documents.To explain and discuss key ideas of significant actors through careful reading, reflection, observation, discussion and examination of primary source documents.

Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity Editor, Jonathan Hill, Masters of Theology from Oxford

Recommended Reading Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, 3 rd Edition, 1996, Word Publishing. Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder, Documents of the Christian Church, 3rd edition, 1999, Oxford University Press.

Homework Questions & ReadingHomework Questions & Reading Class ParticipationClass Participation Movie ReviewMovie Review Christian Experience Report & Oral PresentationChristian Experience Report & Oral Presentation –Visit a church worship service outside your own tradition –Interview an elder/pastor from that church –Your paper will involve their history, theology, worship, and your own personal reflections

What is Christianity?

Why should we study about a bunch of Dead Guys? Because their story is the story of Jesus at work.Because their story is the story of Jesus at work.

Matthew 16:15-17 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”

Why should we study about a bunch of Dead Guys? Because their story is the story of Jesus at work.Because their story is the story of Jesus at work. Because they are a part of your spiritual heritage.Because they are a part of your spiritual heritage. Because you are in a continuing story.Because you are in a continuing story.

Old Testament New Testament Continuing Testament

Who is the most important Christian in the world today? Francis & Edith Schaeffer

The Medieval Church The Reformed Church The Ancient Church

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law. In what ways was this the “fullness of the time?”

What Factors Caused Christianity to Spread?

How did Christians seek to accommodate themselves to their audience?

Paul’s attitude in 1 Cor. 9:19-27Paul’s attitude in 1 Cor. 9:19-27 Paul in Athens (Acts 17)Paul in Athens (Acts 17) Paul’s vow (Acts 18:18)Paul’s vow (Acts 18:18) Timothy’s circumcision (Acts 16:3)Timothy’s circumcision (Acts 16:3)

They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are short of everything and yet have plenty of all things. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. (Anonymous Letter to Diognetus, 150).

Paul John Fall of Jerusalem Peter Clement of Rome

Mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3.Mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3. Served as an overseer in the church at RomeServed as an overseer in the church at Rome Tradition ascribes to him an epistle to the Corinthians.Tradition ascribes to him an epistle to the Corinthians. Addressed from the church of Rome to the church at CorinthAddressed from the church of Rome to the church at Corinth Clement of Rome Died 101

Clement of Rome Shameful, beloved, extremely shameful, and unworthy of your training in Christ, is the report that on account of one or two persons the well- established and ancient church of the Corinthians is in revolt against the presbyters (Epistle to the Corinthians 47:6). Died 101

Paul JohnJustin Martyr Fall of Jerusalem Peter Clement of Rome

Justin Martyr On the day which is dedicated to the sun, all those who live in the cities or who dwell in the countryside gather in a common meeting, and for as long as there is time the Memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read (First Apology 67)

Didache But on the Lord’s day, after you have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure. (14:1)

Didache But concerning baptism, thus baptize: having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water; 7:2 but if you do not have running water, baptize in some other water, and if you cannot baptize in cold, in warm water; 7:3 but if you have neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Paul John Ignatius Polycarp Justin Martyr Fall of Jerusalem Peter Clement of Rome

Ignatius of Antioch Sat under the teaching of the Apostle JohnSat under the teaching of the Apostle John Bishop of AntiochBishop of Antioch “The closer the sword, the closer the Lord”“The closer the sword, the closer the Lord” Arrested and taken to Rome to be martyredArrested and taken to Rome to be martyred

Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ… (Magnesians 6:1). Ignatius of Antioch

The Apostolic Fathers Faced a world steeped in polytheism and pagan worship The Reformers Dealt with those who agreed on the reliability of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and who were monotheistic Their evangelistic concerns were over the paganism of their day Their evangelistic concerns were largely directed toward those who were a part of the Roman Catholic Church

The Apostolic Fathers The Reformers Their evangelistic concerns were over the paganism of their day Their evangelistic concerns were largely directed toward those who were a part of the Roman Catholic Church Where should be our major evangelistic concerns today?