Course Resources Archive

This module provides an overview of Church History from the post-Apostolic era to the end of the twentieth century. It aims to introduce students to major events and themes in church history, beginning with the early rise and spread of Christianity in the first three centuries CE, through to the rapidly changing period of the modern world and the global church of the late twentieth century.  It aims to familiarise students with the influences of significant movements and individuals.

Churches are shaped by their contemporary culture. Therefore, this module also aims to introduce students to a consideration of  the contextualised nature of the various expressions of church they will be studying.

Students are provided with a rationale for the study of Church History before embarking on a study of the origins and development of the Christian Church from after the New Testament period to the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the late Roman Empire. The study of the story of the Church continues  with its spread to Northern Europe, and Asia in the Middle Ages. The nature of medieval Christendom is considered, including the significance of monasticism, the development of the Papacy, and the crusades.   

Students will then study the protests and separations which marked the Reformation and prepared the way for the Enlightenment. From there, they will be taken through a period of challenging developments for the Church through to the end of the twentieth century.  Various themes, including the disintegration of Christendom, the development of modern science, and western colonial expansion, will form the backdrop to such topics as the rise of Methodism, the spread of global Christianity and the decline of the Church in the west. Finally, the module will reflect on the situation of the Christian faith worldwide today. 

Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to consider the influences of contemporary political, intellectual and religious debates upon the development and spread of Christianity worldwide. They will also reflect on ways in which the study of Church History informs contemporary Christian faith and practice.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the nature and development of Christianity, historically and theologically, from the time of the early Church to the end of the twentieth century.

1. Demonstrate an ability to analyse the content and function of the Church’s creeds and doctrinal statements from its beginnings until the late twentieth century.

1. Apply appropriate historical methods in interpreting primary and secondary sources which relate to the Church from its beginnings till the end of the twentieth century and evaluate the reliability and relevance of those sources.

1. Identify, analyse and communicate major issues of debate in the study of Church History, and recognise competing perspectives.

1. Apply their understanding of the Church from its beginnings till the late twentieth century to present day contexts.

1. Demonstrate applied skills in written argument and expression, problem solving, use of ICT, independent work and collaborative development.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.