A Journey through Church History from Udemy

One of the often-heard objections to faith in Christ is that it is old fashioned or outdated, a relic of the distant past and therefore easily discarded. After all, what could a two thousand year old faith have to say to us in the twenty-first century?

This class seeks to address this question. In short, what could a two thousand year old faith have to say to us? A lot.

For those of us who are a part of the Christian Church, our history is not something to be discarded as foreign, or cut-off from our time. No, church history is a recognition that all that the Church is today, has been informed, shaped, and influenced by what has gone before. So, to investigate church history is to dig the depths of who we are, and as we do, it is my hope that we come to a better understanding of what it means to be faithful to Jesus in our own day.

For those of us who are not yet a part of the Christian Church, it may be that what you think you know about Christianity, has been shaped by particular ways of reading history, theology or sacred texts. Wherever your knowledge of the Church has come from, let me offer a new perspective, one that does not sugar-coat the past in order to paint a misleading picture of the present.

This course is designed to do two things:

1. Offer a memorable timeline of significant events in Church history

2. Invite you to engage with the sources of history for yourself

Using the century by century method, this course enables you to see the whole picture (granted: we will not be able to cover Don't just let others tell you what happened; read the sources for yourself.

It is my joy to offer this course to you as an introduction to this topic. By no means am I able to investigate everything, but it is my hope that you will finish this course with a helpful understanding and the desire to learn more.

This Udemy course was written and directed by Joseph Wood. It was produced by Nazarene Theological College, Manchester in 2020.

What's inside

Learning objectives

A general timeline of the history of christianity
The role of the church in society through the centuries

The basic differences in catholic, orthodox and protestant traditions of the church
Key persons, dates, and events in the history of christianity (the good and not so good)

A general timeline of the history of christianity
The role of the church in society through the centuries
The basic differences in catholic, orthodox and protestant traditions of the church
Key persons, dates, and events in the history of christianity (the good and not so good)

Syllabus

Understand the development of Christianity from the Council of Chalcedon in 451 to the Great Schism of 1054

6th Century - Byzantium, Gregory the Great and the Rise of Islam

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers a comprehensive timeline of significant events, providing a structured overview of Christianity's evolution across centuries

Examines the role of the Church in society throughout history, offering insights into its influence on cultural and political landscapes

Explores the basic differences among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of Christian diversity

Encourages engagement with primary sources, enabling learners to form their own interpretations of historical events and theological developments

Produced by Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, an institution dedicated to theological education and ministerial training

Reviews summary

A comprehensive survey of church history

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and engaging journey through two thousand years of Church history. Many highlight the century-by-century structure as particularly helpful for building a clear timeline and understanding the major events, figures, and traditions across different periods. Students praise the instructor's expertise and engaging teaching style, finding the lectures informative and well-delivered. While it serves as a solid foundation for beginners, some more advanced learners note it provides a broad overview rather than deep dives into specific topics. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking an accessible yet detailed introduction.

Excellent introduction, covers key areas.

"This course provides a fantastic introduction to church history. It covers all the essential periods and figures."

"It's a great starting point for anyone new to the subject, giving a solid foundational understanding."

"I feel like I have a much better grasp of the major milestones and controversies now."

"Provides a comprehensive overview without getting bogged down in excessive detail, which is perfect for an introduction."

Century-by-century approach clarifies events.

"The century-by-century format is excellent for grasping the flow of history and seeing how events unfolded chronologically."

"Building the timeline century by century really helped me organize my understanding of the vastness of church history."

"I appreciate the structured approach, making it easy to track developments and remember key dates."

"This method is a very helpful way to simplify a very complex history."

Expert, passionate, and clear instruction.

"The instructor's passion for the subject is infectious and makes the history truly come alive."

"Joseph Wood is a gifted teacher who explains complex topics in a clear and engaging way."

"His depth of knowledge is evident, and he presents the material in a very accessible manner. A truly wonderful instructor."

"I found the instructor's lectures very well-structured and easy to follow."

Good intro, but not for advanced study.

"While it covers a lot of ground, I found that some periods or movements could have been explored in greater depth."

"If you already have some background in church history, this might feel a bit superficial in places."

"It provides breadth rather than depth. Don't expect deep dives into specific theological debates or figures."

"Good for a general understanding, but those looking for academic rigor or detailed analysis might need supplements."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A Journey through Church History with these activities:

Review 'Church History in Plain Language'

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Gain a broader understanding of church history by reading a comprehensive and accessible textbook.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Church History in Plain Language'.
Read the chapters corresponding to the course syllabus.
Take notes on key events, figures, and theological developments.
Reflect on how these historical events shape contemporary Christianity.

Review Biblical Context

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Strengthen your understanding of the historical and cultural context in which Christianity emerged.

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Review the political and social landscape of the Roman Empire.
Study the major Jewish sects and their beliefs.
Examine the influence of Greek philosophy on early Christian thought.

Create a Timeline of Key Events

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Solidify your understanding of the chronological order of events by creating a visual timeline.

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Identify the major events covered in the course.
Research the dates and details of each event.
Design a visual timeline using online tools or physical materials.
Add brief descriptions and images to each event.
Share your timeline with other students for feedback.

Four other activities

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Discuss Key Figures in Church History

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Deepen your understanding of key figures by discussing their contributions and controversies with peers.

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Form a study group with other students.
Assign each member a key figure to research.
Share your findings and discuss the impact of each figure.
Debate the controversies surrounding these figures.

Write a Blog Post on a Specific Era

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Synthesize your knowledge of a specific era by writing a blog post that explores its key themes and events.

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Choose a specific era of church history to focus on.
Research the key events, figures, and theological developments of that era.
Write a blog post that summarizes your findings and offers your own insights.
Include images and links to relevant resources.
Share your blog post on social media and invite feedback.

Read 'Foxe's Book of Martyrs'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made for the Christian faith by reading accounts of Christian martyrs.

View Melania on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Foxe's Book of Martyrs'.
Read selected accounts of Christian martyrs from different eras.
Reflect on the motivations and experiences of these martyrs.
Consider the impact of persecution on the development of Christianity.

Research and Present on a Lesser-Known Figure

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Expand your knowledge by researching and presenting on a figure who is not commonly discussed in church history.

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Identify a lesser-known figure in church history.
Conduct thorough research on their life, work, and impact.
Prepare a presentation that summarizes your findings.
Present your research to other students and answer questions.

Career center

Learners who complete A Journey through Church History will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Religious Studies Professor

A religious studies professor teaches college-level courses in the field of religion. This course is relevant to someone wanting to become a religious studies professor, because it provides a broad overview of Church history, spanning from the first century to the twenty-first. The course's emphasis on engaging directly with the historical sources also trains learners in the methodology required of academic research. A religious studies professor may find it useful to have this kind of timeline at their fingertips.

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Historian

A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past, often specializing in a particular period or region. This course, by providing a comprehensive timeline of significant events in Church history, helps build a strong foundation for a historian interested in religious history. The course's emphasis on engaging directly with historical sources is particularly beneficial, as it teaches learners how to analyze historical documents themselves rather than relying solely on secondary interpretations. Someone looking to become a historian of Christianity should take this course because it provides an overview of Church history and also trains you to engage with primary source material. A historian may find this training helpful to their work.

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Theology Professor

A theology professor teaches courses that analyze the nature of God and religious beliefs. This course may be useful for someone wanting to become a theology professor. The course provides an overview of key events and figures in Church history that are often the subject of theological reflection. The course's commitment to reading primary documents in their historical context is also highly relevant to theological study. A theology professor may find this course useful for teaching on the topic of Church history. This course provides a solid foundation in the history of Christianity.

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Religious Leader

A religious leader is a person who has a leadership role within a religious organization or community. This course may be useful for a religious leader. The course provides a broad overview of significant events in Church history, which gives context for that leader's religious tradition. The course also encourages engaging with primary historical material which can deepen a religious leader's understanding of the foundations of their faith. A religious leader is constantly called upon to articulate the beliefs of their tradition and this course may sharpen their ability to do so.

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Religious Educator

A religious educator teaches courses on religious topics in settings such as churches, synagogues, mosques, or schools. This course can be very helpful for a religious educator, as it provides a broad overview of the major events and figures in Church history. The course also allows a religious educator to engage with primary texts and sources which can inform their teaching. A religious educator needs a strong understanding of religious history. Anyone seeking to teach religious education may find this course useful.

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Curriculum Developer

A curriculum developer designs educational materials and programs. This course is helpful for a curriculum developer interested in religious studies. The course provides an understanding of the timeline of church history, and the curriculum developer can use this understanding to craft engaging and well-informed learning experiences. This course also teaches learners how to engage directly with historical sources, which is an important skill for developing curriculum. Any curriculum developer interested in religious studies may find this useful.

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Archivist

An archivist appraises, collects, organizes, and preserves historical documents and records. This course may be useful for an archivist who handles religious records as it provides an introduction to Church history and its key figures across the centuries. The course also emphasizes engaging with primary historical sources, which is a core skill for any archivist. Knowing the historical context will help an archivist understand the significance of what they work with so that they can better organize and preserve the records they are entrusted with. Anyone interested in becoming an archivist should consider this course.

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Editor

An editor reviews and prepares written material for publication. This course is particularly helpful to an editor working on religious texts. The course's emphasis on primary source engagement allows an editor to better understand the historical context of the texts they work with. By studying the timeline of church history, this course helps an editor ensure accuracy and clarity in religious publications. An editor who is interested in publishing religious texts should take this course.

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Museum curator

A museum curator is in charge of a museum's collection, and they are responsible for acquiring, cataloging, preserving, and displaying objects. For a museum curator focusing on religious artifacts, this course may be useful. The historical context offered through the course can help a curator understand the significance of religious artifacts and their role in Church history. This course's focus on engaging with historical sources can also inform how artifacts are curated and displayed. A museum curator can benefit from a timeline of church history and primary source skills offered by this course.

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Writer

A writer produces various forms of written content, such as articles, books, or scripts. This course may be useful to a writer interested in the history of Christianity. The course's focus on significant events in Church history and its engagement with primary source material will better inform their work. A writer covering this topic should be familiar with the timeline of Christianity. This course also trains a writer to do historical research, so they can write their own materials and not just rely on others' research.

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Content Creator

A content creator develops content for various media platforms, including online videos, podcasts, or social media. This course provides valuable historical context for a content creator working with religious topics. The course helps them understand the timeline of church history and its key figures. The ability to engage with primary sources is especially valuable for creating original content. A content creator can use the information from the course to create engaging and informative content that is well-researched. Anyone interested in creating content on Christianity may find this course useful.

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Tour Guide

A tour guide leads groups of people on tours of particular locations, often sharing historical and cultural information. This course may be useful for a tour guide who leads tours of religious sites. The course's timeline of church history will better help them understand the history of the places they are touring. The course also emphasizes the importance of engaging with primary sources, which can help a tour guide provide more accurate and insightful commentary to those they are touring. This course may be helpful for any tour guide interested in religious history.

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Librarian

A librarian manages library resources, including books, periodicals, and digital collections. This course could be useful for a librarian who works with religious materials. Understanding the timeline of church history and the significance of primary source texts provides a framework for organizing and cataloging religious materials. This course can enhance a librarian's ability to help others locate the resources they seek. A librarian with a specialization in religious texts would benefit from this course.

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Policy Analyst

A policy analyst researches and analyzes policies and their impact. This course provides historical context that may be useful to a policy analyst focused on the intersection of religion and society. The course's timeline of church history shows the church's role in society through many centuries, giving historical perspective to current issues. The course's engagement with primary sources can also help a policy analyst better assess different points of view. A policy analyst who works with issues of religion may find this course helpful.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees the development and implementation of programs for a nonprofit organization. This course could be helpful to a program manager working for a religious nonprofit. A timeline of church history can inform the work of a program manager, enabling them to implement programs that are well-informed and effective. The course's focus on directly engaging with historical material can further a program manager's understanding of the context they are operating in. A program manager at a religious nonprofit may find this course helpful.

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A Journey through Church History

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

A comprehensive survey of church history

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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