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History Of Christianity

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed and briefly described below.

Please understand that it is impossible to list all of the various texts that might be used in these courses

Therefore, we have not attempted to list the required texts per each course. These are simply some suggested texts for the courses in question. In nearly all cases, there will be other texts also required. These other texts will be determined between the professor and the student.

Click here for Reading and Writing Requirements.

Also, sometimes a text is listed for more than one course—this, however, does not mean that one can simply read a single text for several courses. If a student has read a particular text for a class, he/she cannot use that same text again for another course.

Next, some of the suggested texts may no longer be in print. If this is the case, the students and their mentors will simply select other, newer texts dealing with the same topic.

It is important to make clear that though we offer studies in a variety of theological and philosophical perspectives, CES does not necessarily endorse all of the positions listed in the course descriptions. However, rather than simply telling students what to think, it is our belief that an institution of education should allow an open atmosphere of learning, and that includes reading, studying, and critiquing various perspectives within Christianity. We believe that students deserve the right to read, critique, and decide for themselves which perspectives they believe to be correct. To this end, some courses are set up to see both sides of a debate: for example see courses TH-603/803 Eschatology, TH-206/406 Sanctification, and TH-615/815 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts.

(Number Name Hours Description)

HST-101/301 Survey of the History of Christianity I 4SH An overview of the history of Christianity discussing not only historical events but also theological developments.

HST-201/401 Survey of the History of Christianity II 4SH A more in depth overview of the history of Christianity.

HST-302/402 History of Christianity I 4SH A look at Christian history from the apostles to the eve of the reformation.

HST-303/403 History of Christianity II 4SH A look at Christian history from the reformation to the present.

HST-400/500 History of Christian Thought 4SH A study of the history of the development of Christian doctrine. The development of such Christian doctrines as Trinitarianism, Christology, Soteriology and the Church are covered.

HST-502/702 History of the Medieval Church 4SH A survey of historical and theological developments from the fall of Rome to the Reformation.

HST-503/703 The History of the Protestant Reformation 4SH A survey of the major events, individuals, and issues of the Reformation.

HST-504/704 Puritanism 4SH After an introductory survey of the history of Puritanism from Scotland’s John Knox to America’s Jonathan Edwards, this course is a detailed study of the doctrine and spirituality of the Puritans.

HST-505/705 American Christianity 4SH A survey of the development of Christianity in America. Major theological movements to be studied include the Puritan era, the First and Second Great Awakenings, New England Theology, Unitarianism, Transcendentalism, Dispensationalism, Perfectionism, Fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, and Neo-Evangelicalism.

HST-506/706 Modern Christianity 4SH A survey of the development of Christianity after the Reformation. This course covers the rise of Orthodoxy and Pietism, the Great Awakenings and the development of Revivalism, Denominationalism, the modern missionary movement, and the ecumenical movement, within the context of a developing modern secularism. Particular attention is paid to the influences of the Enlightenment, Idealism, and Existentialism upon the Christian witness.

HST-508/708 Reformers before the Reformation 4SH A study of the various approaches which were taken for the reformation of the church in the late middle ages, including officially sanctioned measures and illegal “grass roots” movements.

HST-600/800 The Defense and Propagation of the faith in the Early Church 4SH Beginning with a careful examination of Paul’s Areopagus address, this course analyses and evaluates the defense of the faith by Ignatius, Athenagoras, Justin Martyr, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and the author of the “Epistle to Diognetus.”

HST-601/801 The Reformation in Switzerland 4SH A careful study of the history and theology of the Swiss reformation. (The History and Character of Calvinism, by John T. McNeill, Zwingli and Bullinger, ed. G. Bromley and other selected primary source texts in English translation)

HST-602/802 The Reformation in Germany 4SH A careful study of the history and theology of the German reformation from pre-Luther to the rise of German Pietism, including the development of Reformed theology at Heidelberg. Not a repetition of TH-512/712.

HST-603/803 Anabaptism and the Radical Reformation 4SH A survey of the very diverse and significant movement which included men such as Menno Simmons, Caspar Schwenkfeld, and Fausto Socinus.

HST-604/804 The Reformation in Great Britain 4SH A careful study of the history and theology of Protestantism in Scotland and England from its origins to the reign of James I.

HST-605/805 Colonial Christianity 4SH A study of Christianity in America to the Revolution.

HST-606/806 Awakening and Enlightenment 4SH A study of the Evangelical Revival which took place in the 18th Century and its relation to the rise of modern secularism.

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