HIMACHAL BIBLE COLLEGE & SEMINARY
M. DIV HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY
Cr. Hrs: 3
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Course Description
This course is an advanced study of the History of Christianity from its inception to the medieval
period. It covers the major events, councils and movements.
Course Objectives
1. To give a thorough understanding of the origin and development of the church till the
monastic period.
2. To enable the student to analyze the major events and developments.
3. To enable the student to apply the insights and face new challenges in the present context.
Requirements and Evaluation
The following requirements are set out by keeping the areas of academic, spiritual and
ministerial formation of students in view. The teachers can use their discretion to apply these
requirements in different levels.
1. Class attendance and participation (10%)
2. Reading level: 250-300 pages (10%)
This reading work load can be given in the following assignment forms:
a) Reading Reports
3. Writing and Comprehension Level 3500-4000words/ 7-10 pages (20%)
This work load can be given in the following assignment forms:
a. Assignment
b. Term Paper
4. Examination (60%)
5. Teaching Methods
Classroom lectures, Group discussions, Debate, class presentation, interaction etc.
Course Outline
PART I: DIVINE BEGINNINGS
Chapter 1: In the Fullness of Time
1.1 Political, Culture And Philosophy, Moral Condition Social Order and Religious Background in the
Greco-Roman Jewish world
1.2 Jewish Contribution: Study about the Zealots, Pharisees, Essenes and Sadducees
Chapter 2: Historical Evidence Concerning the Life of Jesus
2.1 Historical, archeological and documentary writings of Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius
Chapter 3: The New Testament Church
3.1 Establishment of the Church. 3.2 Definition of Terms. 3.3 The Church in Prophecy. 3.4 The Church
in Preparation. 3.5 The Church in Reality. 3.6 The Basis of Membership. 3.7 Rapid Growth. 3.8 Early
Spread. 3.9 Organization and Government. 3.10 Worship of the Church. 3.11 Manner of Life.
PART TWO: CONTROVERSY AND DEPARTURE 100 – 312 A. D.
Chapter 4: Uninspired Writings 100 – 150
4.1 Clement of Rome. 4.2 Ignatius of Antioch. 4.3 The Epistle of Barnabas. 4.4 The Didache (130-150).
4.5 Papias (125-150). 4.6 Polycarp (115-156). 4.6 Shepherd of Hermas (140-150).
Chapter 5: The Apologists 185 – 250
5.1 Quadratus (125-129). 5.2 Aristides (138-147). 5.3 Justin Martyr (103-165). 5.4 Tatian (125-200). 5.5
Melito (169-190). 5.6 Athenagoras (177-180). 5.7 Theophilus (190).
5.8 The State of the Church: 5.8.1 Marcion. 5.8.2 Gnosticism. 5.8.3 Docetism. 5.8.4 Montanis
5.9 Later Apologists: 5.9.1 Irenaeus (130-200). 5.9.1 Clement of Alexandria (150-215). 5.9.2 Tertullian
(155-223). 5.9.3 Hippolytus (170-236). 5.9.4 Origen (185-254). `
Chapter 6: Through Persecution to Victory 54 – 313
6.1 Chronology of Persecution. 6.2 Edict of Toleration. 6.3 Edict of Milan
Chapter 7: The Development of the Canon
7.1 The tests given to the biblical books. 7.2 Reasons for rejecting the Apocrypha. 7.3 Some canonical
books were at first doubted but later fully accepted. 7.4 The Finalization of the Canon.
Chapter 8: Departure from the New Testament Pattern 100 – 325
8.1 Donatists. 8.2 Departure in Organization. 8.3 Development of a Priesthood. 8.4 Neo-Platonism. 8.5
Manichaeism. 8.6 The Ebionites. 8.7 Monarchianism.
8.8 Further Departure in Doctrine: 8.8.1 Millennialism. 8.8.2 Original Sin and Baptism.
8.9 Departure in Manner of Life: 8.9.1 Asceticism and Celibacy. 8.9.2 Easter Celebration.
PART THREE: THE INCREASE OF ERROR 313 – 787 A. D.
Chapter 9: The Influence of Constantine
9.1 Council of Nicaea. 9.2 Support of the Church.
Chapter 10: The Growth of Episcopacy
10.1 Chronological Development. 10.2 The Battle of the Bishops.
Chapter 11: The Ecumenical Councils
11.1 Council of Nicaea – 325. 11.2 Council of Constantinople – 381. 11.3 Council of Ephesus – 431. 11.4
Council of Chalcedon – 451. 11.5 Council of Constantinople – 553. 11.6 Council of Constantinople –
680. 11.7 Council of Nicaea – 787.
Chapter 12: The Life, Worship, and Doctrine under Romanism
12.1 The Establishment of Catholicity. 12.2 Sacredotalism. 12.3 Baptism. 12.4 The Lord’s Supper 12.5
Increase of Sacraments. 12.6 Instrumental Music Introduced. 12.7 Monasticism.Controversy on the
Human Will.
Chapter 13: The Rise of Mohammedanism
13.1 Islam’s Early Spread
Chapter 14: Eleven: Gregory the Great and His Successors Seventh- and Eighth-Century
Developments
14.1 Gregory the Great. 14.2 Missionary Activity in Britain and Ireland. 14.3 The Conflict
Between Irish And Roman Christianity. 14.4 Eighth-Century Papal Successes and Problems.
14.5 Pepin, King Of The Franks, And The Rise Of The Papal State.
14.6 Twelve: Church-State Alliance the Church from 800 to 1073. 14.6.1 The Holy Roman
Empire. 14.6.2 The Spread of the Church, 800–1073. 14.6.3 Factors Leading to Split of the
Catholic and Orthodox Churches in 1054. 14.6.4 The East—West Split in Christendom
14.7 Thirteen: The Medieval Papacy at Its Height The Church from 1073 to 1305. 14.7.1
Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand). 14.7.2 The Investiture Controversy.
14.8 The Crusades. 14.8.1 The First Crusade, 1095–1099. 14.8.2 Bernard And The Second
Crusade, 1147. 14.8. 3 Third Through Sixth Crusades, 1189–1229. 14.8.4 The End And Effects
Of The Crusades. 14.8.5 Pope Innocent III. 14.8.6 The Inquisition. 14.8.7 Scholasticism. 14.8.8
Mysticism. 14.8.9 Monasticism
14.9 Fourteen: Decline of the Medieval Church The Church from 1305 to 1517. 14.9.1
Reasons for Decline of the Medieval Church. 14.9.2 The Papal Schism. 14.9.3 The Babylonian
Captivity.
PART 4: THE CHURCH IN THE REFORMATION
Chapter 15: Forerunners of the Reformation: 15.1 Peter Waldo. 14.2 John Wycliffe. 14.3 John
Hus. 14.4 Savonarola. 14.5 Brethren Of The Common Life. 14.6 Other Religious Movements.
Chapter 16: Europe on the Eve of the Reformation. 16. 1 Politics. 16.2 Intellect. 16.3
Humanism and Individualism. 16.4 The Spread of Printing and Growth Of Universities. 16.5
Religion. 16.6 Society and Economics.
Chapter 17: The Lutheran Reformation. 17.1 The Reformation in Germany 17.2 The
Background Of Martin Luther. 17.3 The Issue Of Indulgences. 17.4 The Excommunication Of
Luther. 17.5 The Reformation in Scandinavia.
Chapter 18: The Swiss Reformation. 18. 1 Zwingli. 18.2 The Anabaptists. 18.3 John Calvin.
Chapter 19: National Reformations. 19.1 The Reformation in France. 19.2 The Rise Of The
Huguenots. 19.3 Conditions affecting the French Reformation. 19.4 The Peak Of The Conflict.
19.4 The Reformation in England. 19.5 Henry Viii And The Break With Rome. 19.6 King
Edward Vi And Protestant Gains. 19.7 Queen Mary I And The Catholic Reaction. 19.8 The
Puritans and the Separatists. 19.9 The Success of Elizabeth’s Middle Way. 19.10 King James I,
The Puritans, And The Bible.
Chapter 20: National Reformations. 20.1 The Reformation in Scotland. 20. 2 The Influence Of
John Knox. 20.3 The Scottish Reformation As A Mass Movement. 20.4 The Scottish Political
Situation. 20.5 Organization Of The Scottish Reformation. 20.6 The Reformation in the
Netherlands.
Chapter 21: Counterattack. 21.1 The Counter-Reformation and the Thirty Years War. 21.2
The Counter-Reformation. 21.2 Religious Orders New And Renewed. 21.3 The Inquisition. 21.4
The Council Of Trent. 21.5 A New Spirituality. 21.6 The Thirty Years War. 21.7 First Phase -
Bohemian (1618–1623). 21.8 Second Phase - Danish (1624–1629). 21.9 Third Phase - Swedish
(1630–1634). 21.10 Fourth Phase - International (1635–1648).
PART 5: THE CHURCH IN MODERN EUROPE.
Chapter 22: An Age of Orthodoxy. 22. 1 The Seventeenth Century. 22.2 Forms of Mysticism.
22.3 Biblical Revivalism. 22.4 Rationalistic Response: Socinianism.
Chapter 23: An Age of Rationalism. 23.1 The Eighteenth Century. 23.2 The Rise of
Rationalism. 23.3 Secular Philosophy. 23.4 The New Science And Empiricism. 23.5 The Natural
Religion Of Deism. 23.6 The Methodist and Moravian Counterattack. 23.7 The Moravians. 23.8
Methodism.
Chapter 24: An Age of Science. 24.1 The Nineteenth Century. 24.2 Romanticism. 24.3 The
Beginnings of the Modern Missionary Movement. 24.4 Impact of the Scientific Revolution. 24.5
The Theory Of Evolution. 24.6 The Resurgence of Biblical Christianity.
PART 6: THE CHURCH IN AMERICA
Chapter 25: An Era of Settlement. 25.1 The Spanish. 25.2 The French. 25.3 The English. 25.4
The Germans and the Dutch. 25.5 The Puritans.
Chapter 26: Breaking of Ties and Revival. 26.1 The Eighteenth Century. 26.2
Disestablishment of the Churches.
Chapter 27: Revival, Social Concerns, and Liberalism. 27.1 The Nineteenth Century. 27.2
Revival Movements. 27.3 The Second Evangelical Awakening. 27.4 The Finney Revivals.27.5
The Revival Of 1858. 27.6 D. L. Moody’s Evangelistic Efforts. 27.7 The Slavery Issue. 27.8
Rise of Liberalism. 27.9 Walter Rauschenbusch. 27.10 Channing, Parker, And Bushnell. 27.11
Schleiermacher, Ritschl, And Harnack. 27.12 The Conservative Reaction. 27.13 Protestant
Reaction. 27.14 Roman Catholic Reaction. 27.15 Evangelical Efforts.
PART 7: THE CHURCH IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD.
Chapter 28: External Opposition to Christianity. 28.1 Marxism. 28.2 Nationalism. 28.3 Cults
and Eastern Philosophies. 28.4 Jehovah’s Witnesses. 28.5 Mormonism. 28.6 Eastern Religions.
28.7 The Influx To The West. 28.8 New Age Movement. 28.9 Social Assault. 28.10 Native
American Religious Practices.
Chapter 29: Developments Within Christianity. 29.1 Ecumenical Efforts. 29.2 Early Efforts.
29.3 The World Council Of Churches. 29.4 The Moral Majority. 29.5 Vatican II. 29.6 Results of
Vatican II.
Chapter 30: Developments Within Christianity. 30.1 Decadence, Renewal, and the Advance
of Women. 30.2 Indications of Decadence. 30.3 Europe. 30.4 North America. 30.5 Women in the
Church.
Chapter 31: Developments Within Christianity. 31.1 Evangelical Advance. 31.2 Since the
Fall of Communism. 31.3 Changes in China. 31.4 Behind the Iron Curtain. 31.5 After the
Opening of the Iron Curtain. 31.6 New Opportunities For Ministry And Influence.
Chapter 32: Response to the Gospel. 32.1 Behind the Bamboo Curtain. 32.2 China. 32.3 India
And Her Neighbors. 32.4 Korea. 32.5 North Korea. 32.6 Japan.
Chapter 33: Response to the Gospel. 33.1 Africa, the Muslim World, and Latin America. 33.2
Africa. 33.3 The Muslim World. 33.4 Latin America. 33.5 Three Waves Of Protestantism. 33.6
Overcoming The Problems.
Chapter 34: Doctrinal Developments. 34.1 The Fundamentalists. 34.2 Neo-orthodoxy. 34.3
Karl Barth. 34.4 Emil Brunner, Reinhold Niebuhr, And H. Richard Niebuhr. 34.5 Rudolf
Bultmann And Paul Tillich. 34.6 Trends In The Seventies And Eighties. 34.7 Liberation
Theology. 34.8 Black Theology.
Chapter 35: The Challenge Before the Church. 35.1 Biblical Illiteracy. 35.2 Breakdown Of
Values. 35.3 The Problem Of Suffering.
Basic Reading
Hrangkhuma, F. An Introduction to Church History. Bangalore: TBT, 1996.
Cairns, Earle E. Christianity through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church. Grand
Rapids Michigan: Zondervan, 1996.
Further Readings:
Berkhof, Louis. The History of Christian Doctrine. Michigan: Baker Book House, 1986.
George, K. M. Development of Christianity Through Centuries. Thiruvalla: C.S.S, 2005.
Fred, W.H.C. The Early Church. Hoddger and Stoughton, 1965.
Bettson, Henry. The Early Christian Fathers. London: Oxford University Press, 1989.
Jurgens, William A. The Faith of The Early Fathers. Vol I, II. Bangalore: TPI, 1992.
Latourette, Kennet Scott. A History of Christianity.London: Eyre and Spootti Swoode, 1954.
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Vol .I. London: Harper and Row, 1984.
Lane, Tony. The Lion Concise Book of Christian Thought. Thiruvalla: Suvartha, 1984.
