Category: A History of the Christian Church

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Second Missionary Journey of Paul, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 9-13

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Paul, Silas and Timothy left Phillipi and went down to Thessalonika, but other Jews raised so much persecution that the brethren sent Paul on to Berea, and after marked success even in the Synagogue, Paul went on to Athens. Paul’s sojourn in Athens was rather disappointing and is memorable chiefly because of his address to the philosophers on Mars Hill. Athens was known over the entire world as a seat of learning and philosophy. The two main philosophies in importance at this time were Stoicism and Epicureans. And instead of berating Paul, these philosophers invited him to expound his views … Continue reading Second Missionary Journey of Paul, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 9-13

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Paul Heads West, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 6-8

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Paul and his party turned west into europe and started an entire new area of evangelism. People often ask what would have happened if Paul had gone into Asia instead of Europe. The intimidation is that Asia would be Christian today, and Europe and presumably America not. We know from other church history that other missionaries did go into Asia, and that Christianity had spread even as far as Tibet and China very early in church history. No one knows what happened to some of these early congregations in Asia, but they disappeared. Perhaps, a missionary of Paul’s statue could … Continue reading Paul Heads West, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 6-8

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Paul Starts His Travels, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 1-5

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The story of the church up to this time in our study of the young Christian Church has had its setting in Asia. True, it was the western most part of Asia, but the people it was concerned with were of an Asian nature, not only physically, but also in their religion. After Paul’s first missionary journey, he went back to Jerusalem to the Council meeting that we discussed previously, in which  the conclusion was arrived at that one did not have to become a Jew in order to become a Christian. We might think from the previous lesson that … Continue reading Paul Starts His Travels, The Expansion of the Church into Europe, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 14, 1-5

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Why the Church Fell Into Its Depths, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 10-12

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This century was not famous for having any outstanding Bishops or Popes, but it did have the most infamous. This pope who was so infamous was the last pope out of this century and lived until 1503. His name was Alexander VI as Pope, although his real name was Roderic Borgia. Borgia’s real interest in life was to amass great fortunes for his children. For although he wasn’t married, he had four children by his mistress, among whom was the infamous Caesar Borgia and Lucretia Borgia. This father and children made poisoning such a well-known method of murder that even … Continue reading Why the Church Fell Into Its Depths, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 10-12

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Trying to Reunite The Churches, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 7-9

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The Renaissance, or renewal of learning, in Europe took two different forms. In Italy and Southern Europe, it took the form of renewed interest in art and science. In Germany and northern Europe, it took the form of renewed interest in morality and humanity. The age was turning religious and not materialistic. It may seem funny to say that the age was turning religious after the strict hold the church has had for these last centuries, but this time the people themselves were becoming religious. Practically every village had its chapel, and every town of any size had several churches. … Continue reading Trying to Reunite The Churches, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 7-9

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The End of Feudalism, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 4-6

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The history of the Church in the 15th Century is one of few noteworthy events. Yet, it is one in which much was happening. The church itself had in the last couple of centuries actually gone backward in the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. From the point of covering most of the civilized world with energetic movements to spread the gospel still further in the year 1000, now the church had lost Egypt, North Africa, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor to the Moslems and had lost the footholds it had in Persia, India and China. On the other hand, if the church … Continue reading The End of Feudalism, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 4-6

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Coming to America, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 1-3

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This lesson concerns the 15th Century and the time in the 16th Century until the year 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the church in Wittenburg. First, let’s look at why the church had its headquarters in Avignon in Southern France. At the conclusion of a war between the King of France, Philip the Fair and the Pope, the Pope was captured by the King and deposed from the Holy See. Following this, for 70 years, the Roman See resided in Avignon and was subject to the King of France. The extension of Christianity … Continue reading Coming to America, 15th & 16th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 13, 1-3

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The Knights Templar Begin, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 8-9

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Another sect that was persecuted with great energy during this century was the Knights Templar. Although, if what they were accused of is true, they deserved to be removed from the list of religious organizations. The Knights Templar dated from the time of the Crusades when they were organized to protect the pilgrims to the Holy Land. However, because they were a warlike organization, their objectives became confused and they degenerated in character as they increased in riches. By this time in the 14th Century, they were accused of being the enemy of all religions, and were obligated to spit … Continue reading The Knights Templar Begin, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 8-9

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Sects Break Off the Church, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 5-7

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The only change of importance made in the church during this century was the changing of the Jubilee year from every 100 years to every 50 years. You recall that this was established in the year 1300, and it was declared that every person who visited the Holy City of Rome in the Jubilee year should have all his sins forgiven. There was such a clamor for the celebration of the Jubilee, as indeed the Jews celebrated it, in the 50th year also, that we can only surmise that there were many more people who needed complete forgiveness of their … Continue reading Sects Break Off the Church, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 5-7

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Wycliff and the Inquisition, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 2-4

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The expansion of the educational system continued in this century in Europe. Many wealthy people contributed to the art of learning by endowing schools or by subsidizing scholars. Among the philosophers of this time, there were many who began to mix astrology with philosophy, but because of the superstitions and the inquisition, they had to act with great circumspection. A famous man of this time named Asculanus, who was physician to Pope John XXII and later physician to the Duke of Calabria, became involved with astrology. This man, who was a philosopher, astrologist and a mathematician, made some experiments in … Continue reading Wycliff and the Inquisition, 14th Century, A History of the Christian Church, Lesson 12, 2-4