Christian history

[chimerla]

Hi! I apologise if I've put this in the wrong forum.
Anyway, I want to learn as much as I can about the history of Christianity, including in-depth information about different denominations and doctrines and things. Can anyone point me to any really good websites, or give me names of good books to read? Preferably I'd like websites, but I understand that the internet can be a bit sus when it comes to information about certain things.

Thanks!

edit: whoops - I've just discovered there's a whole church history section of the forum. Sorry! =(

[Adrift]

Hi! I apologise if I've put this in the wrong forum.
Anyway, I want to learn as much as I can about the history of Christianity, including in-depth information about different denominations and doctrines and things. Can anyone point me to any really good websites, or give me names of good books to read? Preferably I'd like websites, but I understand that the internet can be a bit sus when it comes to information about certain things.

Thanks!

edit: whoops - I've just discovered there's a whole church history section of the forum. Sorry! =(

While not nearly exhaustive, I thought The Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity was a decent read.

[Amazing Rando]

My church history textbook was Justo Gonzalez' The Story of Christianity. It's a bit dated in that it was finished in the late 80's and so doesn't cover anything after that, but for everything else, it's top-notch. Plus both volumes together only cost $13!

[mostlyharmless]

Hi! I apologise if I've put this in the wrong forum.
Anyway, I want to learn as much as I can about the history of Christianity, including in-depth information about different denominations and doctrines and things. Can anyone point me to any really good websites, or give me names of good books to read? Preferably I'd like websites, but I understand that the internet can be a bit sus when it comes to information about certain things.

Thanks!

edit: whoops - I've just discovered there's a whole church history section of the forum. Sorry! =(

Get a copy of Jaroslav Pelikans 5 volume set called The Christian Tradition. This is universally considered one of the greatest works available on the development of Christian doctrine. Start with the first one and see if its what you are looking for. This is not a history of denominations but rather of Christian doctrine.

[he-man]

Hi! I apologise if I've put this in the wrong forum.
Anyway, I want to learn as much as I can about the history of Christianity, including in-depth information about different denominations and doctrines and things. Can anyone point me to any really good websites, or give me names of good books to read? Preferably I'd like websites, but I understand that the internet can be a bit sus when it comes to information about certain things.

Thanks!

edit: whoops - I've just discovered there's a whole church history section of the forum. Sorry! =(

Robert Wilken, "John Chrysostom" in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Everett Ferguson (New York:Garland Publishing, 1997).

Lucian of Antioch -He told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving — without any payout, and in his sermons he thunders against popular amusements: the theatre, horseraces, and the revelry surrounding holidays.[27] In particular, he criticized Christians for taking part in such activities

Arius
n. (256-336 A.D.) Greek Christian priest and theologian of Alexandria (Egypt) who claimed that Jesus was the first created being but was not God or divine and that the Son of God was not consubstantial or coeternal with God the Father, but that there was once a time, before he was begotten, that he did not exist. (he was venerated for his asceticism)
and was declared a heretic for his doctrines about God (which came to be known as Arianism) (256?-336) Arius, with a following of other priests, was excommunicated. Many bishops, particularly those who studied under Lucian of Antioch, agreed with Arius.

Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III: For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth; yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we through Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, for whom are all things, and we by Him."[46]

Erroneously, Roman Catholics claim Peter to be the rock on which the church was built, the vicar of Christ, and the first Pope. How can they maintain, then, that it is wrong for "priests" to marry? If this were a sin, why did Christ not immediately reject Peter as an apostle, since he had a wife?

It seems incredible that the Catholic Church would teach that Peter was its "first Pope," a model to all his successors, yet forbid its priests to marry despite his being a married man! I Corinthians 9:5,

Priestly celibacy is specifically contrary to New Testament teaching (I Timothy 4:1, 3). Paul instructs, "A guardian then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, . As Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage is honorable among all." Lu 4:38

[Zguy28]

A Summary of Christian History by Robert Baker and John Landers.

[JonLanceBarker]

he-man, what makes you a Christian (other)?

[he-man]

he-man, what makes you a Christian (other)?

I am NOT a Preterist or Amillennial or Trinitarian (there was once a time, before he was begotten, that he did not exist)
there is no Eternal Torment in Hell only eternal death (seperation from the face of God,) and there are NO Just Wars.

[timspong]

Try these free online seminary courses. I learned a great deal from the first one, but I haven't done the second one yet.

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worl...H310/CH310.asp

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worl...H320/CH320.asp

You can also download the audio via iTunes podcasts

[he-man]

Try these free online seminary courses. I learned a great deal from the first one, but I haven't done the second one yet.

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worl...H310/CH310.asp

http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worl...H320/CH320.asp

You can also download the audio via iTunes podcasts

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hidden in the ones lost:

4 in whom the God of this world has blinded the perception of the disbelieving, lest the glorious gospel of Christ should beam forth unto them the illumination of, which, is the reflection of God,

5 For it is God that commanded the fire to give light out of darkness, which has radiated in our hearts, given for the enlightenment of knowledge of the glorious God, at the appearance of Iesus Christ.

[JonLanceBarker]

I am NOT a Preterist or Amillennial or Trinitarian (there was once a time, before he was begotten, that he did not exist)
there is no Eternal Torment in Hell only eternal death (seperation from the face of God,) and there are NO Just Wars.

So that makes you an Arian annihilationist. Huh...there ARE still a few of you guys around. (I'll bet you don't do ancient liturgy, though.)

[timspong]

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hidden in the ones lost:

4 in whom the God of this world has blinded the perception of the disbelieving, lest the glorious gospel of Christ should beam forth unto them the illumination of, which, is the reflection of God,

5 For it is God that commanded the fire to give light out of darkness, which has radiated in our hearts, given for the enlightenment of knowledge of the glorious God, at the appearance of Iesus Christ.

sorry the significance of your quoted text went right over my head. Can you please explain. thx

[he-man]

sorry the significance of your quoted text went right over my head. Can you please explain. thx

The Church History you directed people to is filled with dogma and I gave this scripture to show that those things are not the History of the true ecclesia but are the reasons why the gospel is hidden from them. So, to be honest and forthright the best name for them would be the History of How the Gospel was lost and hidden from those who did not teach the "Truth".

Ac 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Ecclesia (lat) is a term derived from the Greek root ekklesia [εκκλησία], which literally means a "gathering" of citizens, in an ancient Greek city-state, or a "called out assembly"; usually defined as "gathering of the called out ones" or “gathering of those summoned”. Theologically it has been equated from the New Testament passages, originally written in Greek language, as the Church (though the origin of the term "Church" is the Greek root kyriakon [from kyriake, kyriakos; kyrios; kyros]) and also as the Body of Christ, a view which reflects a deeper Spiritual and invisible dimension into the use of the term Ecclesia.

Lucian told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving — without any payout, and in his sermons he thunders against popular amusements: the theatre, horseraces, and the revelry surrounding holidays.[27] In particular, he criticized Christians for taking part in such activities.(Casinos, Football, etc.) (Robert Wilken, "John Chrysostom" in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Everett Ferguson (New York:Garland Publishing, 1997).

Erroneously, Roman Catholics claim Peter to be the rock on which the church was built, the vicar of Christ, and the first Pope. How can they maintain, then, that it is wrong for "priests" to marry? If this were a sin, why did Christ not immediately reject Peter as an apostle, since he had a wife? It seems incredible that the Catholic Church would teach that Peter was its "first Pope," a model to all his successors, yet forbid its priests to marry despite his being a married man! I Corinthians 9:5,
Priestly celibacy is specifically contrary to New Testament teaching (I Timothy 4:1, 3). Paul instructs, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, . As Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage is honorable among all." Lu 4:38

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hidden in the ones lost:

4 in whom the God of this world has blinded the perception of the disbelieving, lest the glorious gospel of Christ should beam forth unto them the illumination of, which, is the reflection of God,

5 For it is God that commanded the fire to give light out of darkness, which has radiated in our hearts, given for the enlightenment of knowledge of the glorious God, at the appearance of Iesus Christ.

We should then be Living according to God's instruction, following the example of Christ and aided by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:9,10

[cowardm]

My church history textbook was Justo Gonzalez' The Story of Christianity. It's a bit dated in that it was finished in the late 80's and so doesn't cover anything after that, but for everything else, it's top-notch. Plus both volumes together only cost $13!

As soon as I saw this thread I thought of the same book, which I used in my History of the Christian Church class at Covenant College. Make sure you acquire the edition linked above as it is the cheapest and best copy of the book available (really $13 for both volumes, can't beat that). It's true that it's a bit dated and a lot has happened in the church in the last 30 years, so someone might be able to point out a book more geared toward modern Christianity to couple with this book.

I also should mention that sociologist Rodney Stark has written several books on Christian history, and Rise of Christianity is a great book that takes a historical look at the "how" and "why".

If you'd rather a more media driven (also a bit expensive) approach my dad swears by these classes on CD and I'm pretty sure they have a church history course available. What I've heard from this company is outstanding and well worth the money.

[timspong]

The Church History you directed people to is filled with dogma and I gave this scripture to show that those things are not the History of the true ecclesia but are the reasons why the gospel is hidden from them. So, to be honest and forthright the best name for them would be the History of How the Gospel was lost and hidden from those who did not teach the "Truth".

Ac 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Ecclesia (lat) is a term derived from the Greek root ekklesia [εκκλησία], which literally means a "gathering" of citizens, in an ancient Greek city-state, or a "called out assembly"; usually defined as "gathering of the called out ones" or “gathering of those summoned”. Theologically it has been equated from the New Testament passages, originally written in Greek language, as the Church (though the origin of the term "Church" is the Greek root kyriakon [from kyriake, kyriakos; kyrios; kyros]) and also as the Body of Christ, a view which reflects a deeper Spiritual and invisible dimension into the use of the term Ecclesia.

Lucian told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving — without any payout, and in his sermons he thunders against popular amusements: the theatre, horseraces, and the revelry surrounding holidays.[27] In particular, he criticized Christians for taking part in such activities.(Casinos, Football, etc.) (Robert Wilken, "John Chrysostom" in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Everett Ferguson (New York:Garland Publishing, 1997).

Erroneously, Roman Catholics claim Peter to be the rock on which the church was built, the vicar of Christ, and the first Pope. How can they maintain, then, that it is wrong for "priests" to marry? If this were a sin, why did Christ not immediately reject Peter as an apostle, since he had a wife? It seems incredible that the Catholic Church would teach that Peter was its "first Pope," a model to all his successors, yet forbid its priests to marry despite his being a married man! I Corinthians 9:5,
Priestly celibacy is specifically contrary to New Testament teaching (I Timothy 4:1, 3). Paul instructs, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, . As Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage is honorable among all." Lu 4:38

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hidden in the ones lost:

4 in whom the God of this world has blinded the perception of the disbelieving, lest the glorious gospel of Christ should beam forth unto them the illumination of, which, is the reflection of God,

5 For it is God that commanded the fire to give light out of darkness, which has radiated in our hearts, given for the enlightenment of knowledge of the glorious God, at the appearance of Iesus Christ.

We should then be Living according to God's instruction, following the example of Christ and aided by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:9,10

It's a Presbyterian seminary not Roman Catholic. Their doctrine is reformed and apart from the infant baptism issue, they are pretty much in line with reformed baptists and reformation theology. I have done the History course and it's pretty 'matter of fact' with very little if any doctrinal discussion.