AmaZing Grace Biblical Seminary Erumelikkara, Kumarapuram (P. O) Aluva, Ernakulam. Kerala, India. Pin-683 565. Ph. 8547473926. ****************************************** HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY COURSE OUTLINE INTRODUCTION The course History of Christianity is one of the important subjects which the theological students and the Christians must be studied. The Church History provides a Knowledge of Christian life and doctrines developed through the ages. This study will help the students to know the problems and persecutions of the church confronted. This course is designed to study the History of Christianity. The purpose of this course is to provide the proper knowledge to grow toward the maturity in Christian living and competent Christian service. This course offer comprehensive, advanced and varied experiences in the life of the leaders of the church. The outcome of the students is to be in the faith of Jesus Christ, who founded the Church by giving His last drop of blood, and work for the Kingdom in different situations. Scope This course covers the history of Christianity from its beginnings through its expansion inside and outside Roman Empire to the time of the rise of Islam. It is also to describe the development of faith, life and witness of the Church through her interaction with the Jewish and non-Jewish cultures. Objectives 1. To gain an understanding of the events and the forces at work that left distinct marks on Christianity. 2. It is to evaluate historical sources, especially of such antiquity. 3. To discover the Church's heritage and to gain insights into the modern Indian situation in the light of the Christian interaction with the Jewish and non-Jewish cultures of the first six centuries of Christian history. Methods The methods of study would be (1) Use of library sources (2) Class room lectures, more reading and reflection (3) Use of maps, charts and other visual aids (4) Writing assignments, dealing with the issues and topics that are identical to Indian situation. Unit I Background and initial Expansion of Christianity: A. The fullness of Time The beginnings of Christianity Jewish and non-Jewish cultures The Roman Empire political, social and economic conditions B. The Gentile world Religious and cultural situations National and emperor cults Mystery religions Various branches of philosophy and popular religion C. The Jewish background Judaism in the time of Jesus- the religious situation Pharisees, Sadducees, Essences, Qumran Community Jewish Diaspora. UNIT II A. The Growth of Christianity inside and outside Roman Empire The geographical extension of Christianity The spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire and other parts B. Causes for its rapid growth The missionaries Their message and methods UNIT. III A. Challenges to Christianity: 1. Initial opposition and persecution by the Jews 2. The attitude of the Roman government to the new religion Christianity 3. The Roman persecutions and effects on the life of the Early Christians 4. Literary polemic against Christianity- Celsus, etc B. Growth of Christian Literature and the development of Christian Thought 1. Gospels and Epistles- Canonical books 2. Apostolic Fathers- the writings- Ignatius, his letters, Hermas and his shepherd, Papias and his Expositions, Didache the Earliest manual for instruction, Poly carp etc. 3. The Christian Apologists and their contribution to the learning and thinking in the Church. C. Challenges to Christian unity and thinking: 1. Heresies Heresy in Apostolic times- Gnostics, their teachings: 2. Movements within the Church Montanism Marcionism, Monarchianism. UNIT. IV A. Church and State: Developments in Christianity from Constantine to the rise of Islam: 1. Constantine and the edict of Milan; the development of Christianity from permitted religion to official religion; 2. Church State & Society from Constantine 3. Attempts to revive the faith and life of Church- Monasticism and its effects. B. Christological controversies and the General Councils: 1. The Trinitarian and Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. Arianism, Appollinarianism, Nestorianism Eutychianism. 2. General Councils: Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon with historical background, issues, personalities and decisions and their effects on the church UNIT V A. Christianity During the Early Middle Ages Conquests of Islam, crusades Eastern Empire The spread of Christianity Advance to the East Factors helped to the spread of Christianity B. Rise of Papacy The Pope in Rome Development of church organization The separation of the East and West Life and worship of the church C. Monasticism A movement of Spiritual Renewal Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinian UNIT VI A. Movement for Reform John Wicliffe, John Huss The Council of Baste The Renaissance B. Reformation Martin Luther- Reformation in England, Causes John Calvin- Swingli- Switzerland Counter Reformation UNIT VII Ecumenical Movement The world Missionary Conference International Missionary Conference Faith and Work Movement Life and Work Movement World Council of churches BIBLIOGRAPHY Blackburn, W.M. History Of Christian Church From Its Origin To The Present Time. New York: Philips and Hunt, 1979. Cairns, Earle. E. Christianity through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982. Eusebius. The History of the Church. New York: Barnes & Nobel, 1965. Foster, John. The First Advance: Church History A.D29-500. Bangalore: ISPCK, 1998 __________. Setback and Recovery: Church History A.D.500-1500. Bangalore: ISPCK, 1998.. Hedlund, Roger. Roots of the Great Debate in Mission. Bangalore: TBT, 2002. Hrangkhuma. F. An Introduction to the Church History. Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 2002. Latourette, Kenneth Scott. The First Five Centuries: A History of the Expansion of Christianity. (Vol.1). New York: Harper & Brothers, 1937. Moyer, Elgin S. Great Leaders of the Christian Church. Chicago: Moody Press, 1951. Stuber, Stanley Irvin. The Christian Reader: Inspirational and Devotional Classics. New York: Association Press,1952. Thompson, Ernest Trice. Through the Ages: A History of the Christian Church. Richmond: The CLC Press, 1965. Vos, Howard. F. Highlights of Church History. Chicago: Moody Press, 1960.