The History of Christianity

Seemingly endless debates on dogma, and the intolerance of Christians among themselves, led many to seek refuge in a purely spiritual religion.

Rationalism during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Rationalism was characterized by its interest in the world and by its confidence in the powers of reason. This philosophy became influential in Western Europe and the church.

The state of Reformed orthodoxy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Lutheran orthodoxy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

A review of Catholic orthodoxy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The Puritans face struggles both internal and external.

The Reformation in England led to tension between those who favored maintaining ancient practice and belief and those Calvinist Protestants who believed that the entire life and structure of the church ought to adjust to what they saw as the biblical norm. This ultimately led to the Puritan revolution

As opposition to Protestantism in France heats up again, the Protestant church moves underground.

The Peace of Augsburg, which put an end to religious wars in Germany in the sixteenth century, did not last. This peace was broken as Catholics and Protestants took military action against each other.

The sixteenth century was a pivotal period in the entire history of Christianity as it began to expand to the south and the east.

In the sixteenth century, it was taken for granted that a state must have a single religion to which all subjects must adhere. But in every land, there were those who disagreed with the faith espoused by the government.

The Catholic reformation continues.

Catholicism faces its own reformation, beginning well before Luther's protest.

Protestantism in France endures amidst persecution and war.

At the dawn of the sixteenth century, no other nation in Western Europe had achieved the degree of national unity that France had attained. Yet, because of the continuing conflict between Protestants and Catholics, few nations were also as bitterly divided.

In the Low Countries, Protestantism gained adherents from a very early time. But the advance of Protestantism in these areas soon became involved in the struggle for independence.

Lutheranism continues to expand throughout Western Europe.

The Protestant Reformation spreads to Scotland.

The rise of King Henry VIII brings the Reformation to Great Britain.

John Calvin, the most important systematizer of Protestant theology in the sixteenth century is profiled.

Luther and Zwingli for criticized for not carrying their ideas to their logical conclusions.

Ulrich Zwingli begins what will be known as the Reformed Movement.

Considering Luther's theology.

Uncertainty surrounds the church

Luther's Ninety-five Theses sparks a fire.

The father of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, is profiled.

As the fifteenth century came to a close, it was clear that the church was in need of profound reformation.

Myths and traditions of Christmas, both pagan and Christian, are explored.

As colonialism sweeps the globe, Christianity moves with it.

Looking back to classical antiquity for guidance and inspiration gives birth to the Renaissance.

Popular movements precede the Protestant Reformation.

The sorry state of the church in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries brought movements of reform.

Tensions and weak points behind the scenes of seeming unity bring down medieval Christianity.

The conclusion to a look at the golden age of Medieval Christianity.

As the crusades draw to a close, Medieval Christianity hits its high point.

Among the many ideals that captivated he imagination of western Christendom during the Middle Ages, no other was as dramatic, as overwhelming, or as contradictory, as was the crusading spirit.

Pope Gregory's reforming zeal soon clashed with the interests of Emperor Henry IV.

Out of the monasteries a wave of reform arose that conquered the papacy, clashed with the powerful, and was felt even in the distant shores of the Holy Land.

The Roman Empire is reborn under Charlemagne.

A further look at the eastern branch of the church.

A look at the eastern branch of the church.

A look at the development of the office of pope in Western Christianity.

The Persian Empire vanishes and many of the ancient Roman territories land in Arab hands.

The fall of the Roman Empire brings about a new era in Christian history.

Augustine, bishop of Hippo and beyond.

The most influential theologian of all time follows a tortuous path to faith.

Jerome, one of the most intriguing personalities of the fourth century, struggles with the world and with himself.

The fourth century gives us two of the greatest Christian leaders of all time.

Three church leaders from the region of Cappadocia in Asia Minor make their mark on Christian history.

Athanasius of Alexandria becomes the champion of orthodox theology.