EFM 2006 Overview of Church History Outline of the Sessions Session 1: The Early Church 33-400 Why study church history? Cautions to observe Impact of Roman Empire Persecution Decline of doctrinal and moral purity in the church Significant individuals in this time period Early heresies Session 2: The Dark Ages 400-1400 Political history, key events Life in the Dark Ages Rise of the Clergy Roman church and its corruption Pilgrim Church 5 Key Events leading to the reformation Session 3: The Reformation 1400-mid 1700’s Importance of the printing press Bible translation into the common languages of Europe Overview of events and key people in various countries ! Germany and Luther ! England and Tyndale ! Scotland and the Covenantors ! Switzerland! - Zwingli and Calvin ! ! - the Anabaptists ! France and Huguenots Session 4: The Missionary age mid 1700’s - 2000 Overview of 1700-2000 Key Trends and Individuals Wesley, Whitefield, Carey, Modern missions movement Beginnings of the brethren movement Overview of Church History—EFM October 22, 2006 1 EMF 2006 Overview of Church History Suggested Sources for further study Christian History web site: chi.gospelcom.net The Pilgrim Church by E. H. Broadbent, published by Gospel Folio Press if you are only going to read one book on church history this is it! Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley, published by Word a decent overview of the events and people affecting the main denominations A Woman Rides the Beast by David Hunt, published by Harvest House while not a history book per se, Hunt includes a great deal of information on the Catholic church and its history down through the centuries. Very readable. Men of Destiny by Peter Masters, published by the Wakeman Trust a collection of mini-biographies on prominent Christians. Good articles on Luther, Tyn- dale and Latimer and Ridley and an intriguing piece on Alfred the Great of England c.850 The Anabaptist Story by William Estep, published by Eerdmans The Old Religion in the New World by Mark Noll, published by Eerdmans history of American Christianity (I am just currently reading it) My People by Robert Baylis, published by Harold Shaw Publishers the most recent history of the brethren movement Historical Sketch of the Brethren Movement by HA Ironside, published by Loixeaux a concise readable history. Deals more with the “exclusive” branch of the movement (out of print) Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe (various editions available; Bridge-Logos one is edited) contains many eyewitness accounts of martyrdoms Martyrs Mirror by T.J. van Braght published by Herald Press contains many eyewitness accounts of martyrdoms, letters and notes to/from believers in prison; largely related to the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland and Holland Timeline 30-500 eligion ts” er v “con “official” r ed entecostwish persecution P Je Roman persecutions ConstantineChristianity Rome sack 30 100 200 300 400 500 2 Who's Who of Church History People Date Country Description Early Church and Dark Ages Athansius 296-372 Egypt Bishop of Alexandria - vigorous defender of deity of Christ. Prominent at the Council of Nicea 325 Augustine of Hippo 354-430 North Africa Writings influential to this day - "City of God" basis for many later Catholic heresies. Strong emphasis on Sovreignty of God, basis for Calvinism. Heavily spiritualized interpretation of Scripture. Advocated use of force to "convert" heretics. Charlemange 742-814 France First emperor since fall of Rome in 400's. Crowned by Pope, thereby establishing principal that Pope and the church of Rome has authority over kings. Generally accepted until Henry VIII in 1500's Columba 521-597 Scotland Irish missionary who brought Christianity to Scotland Constantine 272-337 Rome Roman emperor, ended persecution of Christians, initial link of Roman state power to the church. Questionable whether he was a true believer Gregory 1 (pope) 540-604 Rome First real "Pope" in terms of authority and influence - claims church tradition has equal authority to Scripture. Handpicks bishops in most major churches of the empire Origien 185-250 Egypt City of Alexandria - writer and preacher though "layman" Martyred. Stood against priestcraft having a monopoly on ministry Patrick 415-493 Ireland Missionary to Ireland, many converted and churches established. Not connected to Roman Catholics Tertullian 155-233 Carthage Influential writer, coined the word "Trinity" became a (North Africa Montanist (heresy) late in life Reformation Era Aquinas, Thomas 1226-1274 Rome, Paris Writings become foremost expression of Catholic theology. Teaches that "merit" is stored up in heaven by saints and is available for sinners on earth leading to the sale of indulgences. Blaurock, George 1491-1529 Switzerland Co-founder of Anabaptist movement- baptized as a believer, promoted the idea of a "believers" church. Burned at the stake. Calvin, John 1509-1564 Switzerland, Influential writer; tried to establish a "Christian" city in France Geneva largely using OT law. Fierce persecutor of theological opponents. His writings formed the basis for much "reformed" theology prevailing to this day. Erasmus, Desiderius 1466-1536 Germany, Published Greek New Testament with notes critical of Holland Catholic church Grebal, Conrad 1498-1526 Switzerland Co-founder of Anabaptist movement - baptized as a believer, promoted the idea of a "believers" church Huss, John 1369-1415 Bohemia (Czech Influenced by Wycliffe and Lollards, preached the republic) Scriptures, burned at the stake Knox, John 1514-1572 Scotland Leading reformer in Scotland. Strong opponent of Catholicism. Followers destroyed numerous Catholic churches. Very politically active. Queen Mary said: "I fear John Knox's prayers more than all the armies of Europe." Luther, Martin 1483-1546 Germany Instigator of the Reformation, influential writer, preacher, political leader. Recovered the truth of "Justification by Faith." Started well, ended up persecuting other reformers. Page 1 Who's Who of Church History People Date Country Description Manz, Felix 1498-1527 Switzerland Co-founder of Anabaptist movement - baptized as a believer, promoted the idea of a "believers" church. Martyred by drowning Simons, Menno 1496-1561 Holland Converted priest, strengthened Anabaptist movement in Holland, writer, Mennonites take their name from him Tyndale, William 1494-1536 England Translated New Testament from Greek into English, printed, martyred Wycliffe, John 1320-1384 England Translated Bible from Latin into English, established the "Lollards" a group of travelling lay preachers, emphasized the authority of the Word of God. Died natural death but 12 years later the pope ordered his body dug up and burned with his writings. Over 150 copies of his edition of the Bible remain. Missionary Era Carey, William 1761-1834 England, India Father of modern missions, published parts of the Bible in multiple Indian dialects Darby, John Nelson 1800-1882 Ireland, abroad Prolific writer, tireless evangelist, established scores of churches, translated Bible into several languages. Considered to be founder of "Dispensationalism" Edwards, Jonathon 1703-1758 US Congregation clergyman, preacher, writer, evangelist - sermons contributed to the Great Awakening - ardent Calvinist Finney, Charles 1792-1875 US "America's foremost revivalist," was a major leader of the Second Great Awakening. Pioneer in techniques - Alter call, extemporaneous preaching, etc. Presbyterian, became Congregationalist Franke, Herman 1700's Germany Orphanage and school influential on Zinzendorf, Mueller Groves, Anthony Norris 1795-1853 England, Founder of "faith" missions; served in Bagdhad, later abroad India. Wrote "Christian devotedness" very influential in the early Brethren movement. Wife died less than 2 years after arriving in Iraq. Moody, Dwight 1837-1899 US, England Called by some greatest evangelist of the 19th century. Preached to large grounds. Established major church and publishing work in Chicago. Mueller, George 1805-1898 England Faith orphanage and school, 2000+ children under his care Spurgeon, Charles 1834-1892 England Evangelist, Bible teacher, writer -more books in print today than any other Christian writer Wesley, John 1703-1791 Great Britain Great evangelist, thousands saved, founded Methodist societies Whitefield, George 1714-1770 US, England Great evangelist, thousands saved, differed with Wesley on Calvinism Zinzendorf, Nicholas von 1700-1760 Germany Founder of Moravians, godly man, influenced many for missions Page 2 100 Key Events in Church History Page 1 Year Event 1st Century 64 • Fire ravages Rome. Emperor Nero blames Christians and unleashes persecution. 70 • Titus destroys Jerusalem and its temple. Separation deepens between Christianity and Judaism. 2 2nd Century 150 • Justin Martyr writes his First Apology, advancing Christian efforts to address competing philosophies. 156 • Polycarp, an eighty-six-year-old bishop, inspires Christians to stand firm under opposition. 177 • Irenaeus becomes bishop of Lyons and combats developing heresies within the Church. 196 • Colorful and cantankerous Tertullian begins writings that earn him the reputation of being the "Father of Latin Theology." 4 3rd Century 205 • The gifted North African Origen begins writing. He headed a noted catechetical school in Alexandria. 251 • Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, publishes his influential work "Unity of the Church." He was martyred in 258. 270 • Antony gives away his possessions and begins life as a hermit, a key event in the development of Christian monasticism.