Details for History of Christianity: Framework and Functions

This subject is an introduction to the rich and inspiring heritage of Christian tradition, examined within social and cultural contexts.  It explores early church formation, the challenges of the medieval era, the repercussions of the renaissance and the reasons for the reformation.  Major revivals are analysed as well as the effectiveness of modern missionary movements.  The struggles and strengths of the 20th century are also revealed, as well as various issues facing the 21st century church.  By exploring such historical shifts in spirituality and society, students will gain understanding of both contingency and continuity in Christian history, in order to deepen their understanding of gospel ministry today.

The unit History of Christianity: Framework and Functions is part of the subject area Church History and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Applied Theology (Korean) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)), Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course provides students with a thematic understanding of the origin and development of the Church from the times of Christ to the Modern period.

Subject Content

1. Time and Christian Thought
2. Church and State
3. Christian Communalism and Sectarianism
4. Christianity and Cultural Identity
5. Reform and Renewal movements in Christianity
6. Christianity in War and Peace
7. Christianity and the Material world
8. Christianity and Globalism

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, discussion, tutorials

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Critical Book Review (25%, 1000 words); Exam (25%); Major Essay (50%, 2500 words)

Prescribed Text

Readings provided

Representative References

• Bradley, Ian.Celtic Christian Communities. Edinburgh: Northstone Publishing, 2001.
• Brockway, Robert W.A Wonderful Work of God: Puritanism and the Great Awakening. Bethlehem, P.A.: Lehigh University Press, 2003.
• Coleman, Simon.The Globalisation of Charismatic Christianity (Cambridge Studies in Ideology and Religion).Cambridge: CUP, 2000.
• Estep, R..Renaissance and Reformation.Grand Rapids:Eerdmans, 1986.
• Ferguson, Everett.Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3^rd ed.Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.
• Fergusson, David.Church, State and Civil Society.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• Fox, R.Pagans and Christians.New York:Knopf, 1987.
• Hastings, Adrian.The Construction of Nationhood : Ethnicity, Religion and Nationalism.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
• Kreider, A.The Origins of Christendom in the West.Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2001.
• Lawrence, C H.Medieval Monasticism.London: Longman, 2000.
• MacMullen, R.Christianizing the Roman Empire, AD 100-400.New Haven: YUP, 1984.
• Snape, Michael.God and the British Soldier: Religion and the British Army in the First and Second World Wars. 1^st ed. NY: Routledge, 2005.
• Wells, Ronald.History Through the Eyes of Faith. 1^sted. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, c1989; 2000.
• Woodward, Ernest L. Christianity and Nationalism in the Later Roman Empire.Brooklyn NY: Ams Press, 2005.