Church History A (Chappell/Meek)

Question 1

What is the value of studying church history?

Answer 1

1. To exercise love toward past members of the body of believers
2. To expand the church’s present and shape the church’s future by learning by example
3. To prevent the church from being abstract, theoretical, or academic regarding biblical truth
4. To highlight blind spots in the present body of believers and to assist the church in addressing those blind spots

Question 2

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries.

Answer 2

1. [Resurrection–100 AD] Gospel spread through the Mediterranean and to Mesopotamia, Syria, and India
2. [100–325 AD] Persecution of the Church and spread to Gaul (France), Germany, North Africa, Persia, and Asia Minor
3. [325–600 AD] Gospel spread to Britain, where Ireland becomes a launching point for missionaries
4. [600–700 AD] Half-hearted Christianity gives way to spread of Islam in Middle East and North Africa
5. [700–1500 AD] Split of Eastern and Western churches [1050 AD], crusades, and gospel spread to East Asia
6. [1500–1600 AD] Reformation of the Catholic church, renewed emphasis on missions, and revival within the Church
7. [1600–1800 AD] Colonization and spread of Christianity to America, Australia, and Western and Southern Africa
8. [1800–1900 AD] Modern missionary movement [William Carey, Hudson Taylor]