Church History Studies
Journey through 2000 years of Christian history, from the apostolic age to contemporary developments. Explore the people, events, and movements that shaped the church and continue to influence Christianity today.
Early Church
Medieval Period
Reformation
Modern Era
Contemporary
Apostolic Age (30-100 AD)
The foundational period of the early church
Key Events:
- Pentecost and the birth of the church
- Apostolic preaching and missionary journeys
- Writing of the New Testament
- Persecution under Roman emperors
- Establishment of early Christian communities
Key Figures:
Peter
Paul
John
James
Stephen
Patristic Period (100-451 AD)
The age of the church fathers and early theology
Key Events:
- Development of Christian doctrine
- Church councils and creeds
- Persecutions and martyrdoms
- Monasticism begins
- Christianity becomes state religion
Key Figures:
Augustine
Athanasius
Jerome
Chrysostom
Cyprian
Medieval Period (451-1517)
The age of Christendom and scholastic theology
Key Events:
- Rise of monastic orders
- Crusades and holy wars
- Scholastic theology development
- Great Schism (1054)
- Medieval universities and learning
Key Figures:
Thomas Aquinas
Francis of Assisi
Anselm
Bernard of Clairvaux
Hildegard of Bingen
Reformation Period (1517-1648)
The Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation
Key Events:
- Luther's 95 Theses (1517)
- Protestant Reformation begins
- Catholic Counter-Reformation
- Religious wars in Europe
- Translation of Bible into vernacular
Key Figures:
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Ulrich Zwingli
John Knox
Ignatius of Loyola
Modern Period (1648-1900)
The age of Enlightenment and modern theology
Key Events:
- Age of Enlightenment
- Great Awakenings
- Modern missions movement
- Industrial Revolution impact
- Liberal theology emergence
Key Figures:
Jonathan Edwards
John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
Friedrich Schleiermacher
Søren Kierkegaard
Contemporary Period (1900-Present)
The modern church in a changing world
Key Events:
- Ecumenical movement
- Pentecostal revival
- Vatican II Council
- Global Christianity growth
- Digital age and church
Key Figures:
Karl Barth
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Billy Graham
Pope John Paul II
Desmond Tutu
Ready to Explore Church History?
Dive deeper into specific historical periods, study the church fathers, and understand how historical developments shape contemporary Christianity.