Church History I
Church History I
By: Administrator
CHURCH HISTORY I (BCM 1103 / BTH 1102 / DTH 1102)
4 Weeks
Cornerstone University — Faculty of Theology
Course Description
This course surveys the origins and development of the Christian church from the Apostolic Era through the early medieval period (c. AD 30–1000). Students examine how theological, social, and cultural forces shaped doctrine, worship, leadership, mission, and community life. Readings balance primary sources (Acts, Apostolic Fathers, Apologists, conciliar texts, monastic rules) with concise scholarly overviews. Africa’s contributions (Alexandria, Carthage, Egyptian monasticism, Augustine) are foregrounded. Throughout, students reflect on how early-church wisdom informs contemporary Christian ministry.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify and briefly contextualize key people, places, and events across AD 30–1000 (apostles, persecutions, councils, monastic founders), locating them on a historical timeline.
2. Summarize the central arguments of selected Apostolic and Ante-Nicene texts (e.g., Didache, Ignatius, Irenaeus) and explain how these shaped early Christian doctrine and practice.
3. Analyze the socio-political dynamics behind Roman persecution and early canon formation, and infer their effects on church unity, authority, and mission.
4. Compare the issues and doctrinal definitions at Nicaea (325) and Chalcedon (451), and evaluate their ongoing pastoral implications for teaching, worship, and leadership today.
5. Differentiate major heresies (e.g., Arianism, Nestorianism, Donatism) and articulate the orthodox responses and their long-term effects.
6. Explain how monasticism, mission, and liturgy fostered Christian identity and continuity, and illustrate specific African contributions.
7. Apply early-church insights to a contemporary Ugandan ministry scenario (leadership, worship, catechesis, mission), demonstrating historically informed reasoning.
Grading Rubric
Refer to the grading under the students' portal assignment section
Workload & Reading Caps
Target 10–12 hours/week. Cap required readings at 25–35 pages (primary) and 15–20 pages (secondary). Mark additional materials as Optional.
Weekly Schedule & Checklists
Week 1 — Apostolic & Post-Apostolic (AD 30–100)
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Topic |
Subtopic or Focus |
Week-specific learning objectives |
Reading Sources and watching |
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The Apostolic and Post-Apostolic Church (AD 30–100)
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1. Origin of Christianity and spread of the gospel 2. Life and ministry of the apostles 3. Early Christian communities and practices 4. Persecution and martyrdom. 5. Africa’s early presence.
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a) Identify key people, places, events (apostles, persecutions, councils, monastic founders), locating them on a historical timeline.
b) Describe early leadership (apostles → presbyteroi/ episkopoi; diakonoi), worship (baptism/Eucharist), catechesis, and house‑church life.
c) Explain early challenges and basic Christian responses.
d) Recognize Africa’s early presence (Acts 8; Alexandria traditions) |
Primary Sources § Acts 1–2; 11:19–26; 15:1–21; skim 2:42–47; 4:32–35 (community life). § Didache 1–6 (Two Ways), 7 (baptism), 9–10 (Eucharist). § 1 Clement 40–44 (leadership/unity), optional 1–3 (envy/strife). Secondary Readings: § Hill (ed.), Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity, Intro & pp. 12–28. § Litfin, Getting to Know the Church Fathers, ch. 1 “The Apostolic Fathers” (pp. 1–35). Videos: § Thirdmill.org |
Week 2 — The Ante-Nicene Church (AD 100–313)
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Topic |
Subtopic or Focus |
Week-specific learning objectives |
Reading Sources and watching |
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The Ante-Nicene Church (AD 100–313)
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1. Identity under scrutiny, 2. Apologists and early Christian literature 3. Persecution under the Roman Empire 4. Beginning of the formation of the canon. 5. African anchors (Carthage).
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a) Explain apologists’ aims/methods (Justin, Athenagoras, Tertullian). b) Analyze Roman policy (Pliny–Trajan) and effects on identity.
c) Describe canon criteria (Apostolicity, Catholicity, Antiquity, Orthodoxy, Usage) and key witnesses (Irenaeus, Muratorian, Eusebius categories).
d) Relate developments to Alexandria and Carthage; integrate Cyprian on unity/discipline.
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Primary Readings: · Ignatius: Smyrnaeans 1–8; Magnesians 6–7 · Pliny–Trajan 10.96–97 · Martyrdom of Polycarp 9–15 · Tertullian (Apology 1–2 or Adversus Praxean 1–2) · Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church 4–6 · Canon snapshots: Muratorian excerpt; Irenaeus AH 3.11.7 Secondary Readings: · Litfin, ch.5 “The Apologists” (pp. 85–120) · Hill, ch.3 “Christian Rome” (pp. 30–48)
Videos: · Thirdmill (canon/persecution). Optional: Bible Project—“How We Got the Bible” |
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In-class/Online Activities: Assessments Due: Weekly Checklist: · Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts). · Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS. · Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim. · Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7).
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Week 3 — The Patristic Period (AD 313–451)
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Topic |
Subtopic or Focus |
Week-specific learning objectives |
Reading Sources and watching |
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The Patristic Period (AD 313–451)
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1. Constantine & legalization of Christianity 2. Ecumenical councils: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Chalcedon (451) 3. Key heresies and doctrinal defenses 4. Monasticism and early Christian worship 5. African voices (Athanasius). |
a) Assess Constantine’s mixed effects on the church.
b) Identify issues/outcomes at Nicaea, Constantinople, Chalcedon.
c) Explain monastic rise (Antony; Pachomius/Basil).
d) Connect doctrinal settlement to worship/liturgy.
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Primary Readings: · Nicaea (325): Creed + short anathemas · Chalcedon (451): Definition (short) · Athanasius, On the Incarnation (short) or Letter to Serapion (brief) · Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 31 (brief Trinity section) · Life of Antony (sections), Rule of St. Basil (short) Secondary Readings: · Litfin, ch.8 “The Great Cappadocians” (145–175) · Hill, ch.5 (49–70) — Constantine/church–state Videos: · Thirdmill (Constantine/councils/Trinity) |
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In-class/Online Activities:
Assessments Due: Weekly Checklist: · Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts). · Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS. · Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim. Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7). |
Week 4 — Early Medieval (AD 451–1000)
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Topic |
Subtopic or Focus |
Week-specific learning objectives |
Reading Sources and watching |
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Early Medieval Church (451–1000)
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1. Monastic growth & mission; 2. church–state (Justinian; Carolingians; iconoclasm); 3. Development of liturgy and sacramental practices liturgy 4. Reception of Chalcedon (Ethiopia/Nubia); early medieval theology. |
a) Evaluate how monastic rules shaped spirituality, mission, and social life. b) Analyze church–state patterns and iconoclasm/Nicaea II (787). c) Describe liturgical developments and sacramental trajectories. d) Identify missionary strategies (inculturation, language, translation) and African relevance.
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Primary Readings: · Benedict’s Rule (obedience, stability, Opus Dei) · Bede, Ecclesiastical History (mission episode) · Iconoclasm: Council of Hieria (excerpt) or Second Council of Nicaea (787) definition on images · Cyril & Methodius: letter/excerpt (mission & language) · African/Nubian/Ethiopian dossier (handout) Secondary Readings: · Levy, Introducing Medieval Biblical Interpretation, ch.1 & ch.3 · Hill, ch.8 “Medieval Christianity” (120–150) · Thirdmill (Medieval overview; iconoclasm) Videos: § Thirdmill.org |
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In-class/Online Activities:
Assessments Due: Weekly Checklist: · Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts). · Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS. · Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim. Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7) |
WEEK 1
Preface
Reading Listening and Viewing
WEEK 2
Preface
Reading Listening and Viewing
WEEK 3
Preface
Reading, listening and Viewing
WEEK 4
Preface
Reading, Listening and Viewing
BOOKS
How-Africa-Shaped-the-Christian-Mind-by-Thomas-Oden
EverettFerguson-Church-History
(Holmes) The Apostolic Fathers Greek Texts and English Translations
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Total Modules
11
Enroll Students
37
Duration
37
Last Updated
10/27/2025
Rating
0.0