History General

Question 1

What is the value of studying church history?

Answer 1

There are many reasons to study church history, but perhaps the most significant is the fact that it is the
means by which we learn from example (both positive and negative) of our predecessors, which assists us
in “expanding our present” and “shaping our future.” As well, the study of Church history prevents us
from being abstract, theoretical, and academic regarding truth, as it enables us to see how truth relates to
life’s practicalities.” A third reason would be that the sin patterns of a different generation would be
different from our own, and therefore they could inform us of our abuses of the Word of God.

Question 2

What is the value of studying church history? Summarized

Answer 2

• we learn from example
  -“expanding our present” and “shaping our future
  -prevents us
  from being abstract, theoretical, and academic regarding truth
  -enables us to see how truth relates to
  life’s practicalities
  -sin patterns of a different generation would be
  different from our own, and therefore they could inform us of our abuses of the Word of God.

Question 3

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries.
Resurrection-100 AD

Answer 3

The gospel began to spread through most of the Mediterranean region as
well as reaching Mesopotamia, Syria, and likely India.

Question 4

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries. 100—325

Answer 4

In the 2nd Century, the church spread into Gaul (France), Germany, and North Africa.
In the 3rd Century, Christianity moved into Persia and most of Asia Minor. In the face of intense
Roman persecution, Christianity had grown and had churches in most Roman provinces,
spreading throughout the Roman empire and even beyond.

Question 5

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries.325-600

Answer 5

Reached the British isles where Ireland became a sending off point for missionaries

Question 6

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries. 500-700AD

Answer 6

With the rise of Islam in the face of half-hearted Christianity, some areas like the
Middle East and North Africa, previously strongholds of the gospel became desolate of
Christianity.

Question 7

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries. 700-1500

Answer 7

Up to the split of the Eastern and Western Church in 1050 and the period of stagnation
and the damage of the crusades- Christianity began to make inroads into East Asia during the
latter part of this period.
.

Question 8

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries 1500-1600

Answer 8

Reformation led to a renewed push for missions and revival among churches.

Question 9

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries 1600-1800

Answer 9

Colonization leads to the spread of Christianity to America, Australia and Western
and Southern Africa.

Question 10

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries 1800-1900

Answer 10

Modern missionary movement William Carey, Hudson Taylor, etc.

Question 11

Briefly trace the spread of Christianity through the centuries 1900-2000

Answer 11

The Gospel flourishes in Asia, Africa, and South America

Question 12

What were the “sola’s” of the Reformation?

Answer 12

Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone),
Sola Fides (Faith alone), 
Sola Gratia (Grace alone), 
Sola Christos (Christ alone), 
Soli Deo Gloria (Only to the Glory of God)

Question 13

Briefly discuss the development of ‘covenant theology’.

Answer 13

Ultimately Covenant theology begins in Scripture and was to some extent developed by Augustine.
What we know as covenant theology first appeared in the works of Zwingli and Bullinger. Calvin, whose
name is usually most associated with covenant theology really only has it in seed form. It gained greater
strength among 17th century theologians where it became known as federal theology. Ursinus and
especially Olevianus, the founder of a well-developed federal theology, developed the understanding of
the covenant of works and the covenant of grace and subordinated the covenant to the doctrine of
election. Cocceius stressed the Biblical theology approach of looking at the covenant history (pre-Vos).
Prior to this century, covenant theology saw the covenant as a contractual agreement between God
entered into with man. With more recent language and archaeological discoveries, covenant theology has
come to emphasize the relationship between God and man as a vassal relationship, patterned after the
covenants of that time, established and maintained by God’s grace. Through this theology a greater
emphasis was placed on God’s gracious and faithful dealing with mankind.

Question 14

Briefly discuss the development of ‘covenant theology’. Summarized

Answer 14

• Begins with Scripture
• some extent developed by Augustine
• 1st appeared in the works of Zwingli and Bullinger
• Calvin only seeds of Covenant Theology
• Greater Strength 17th century as federal theology
• FT Ursinius & Olevianus - well developed FT
• Concceius stressed Biblical Thelogy approach at covenant history
• prior century looked at CT as contractual relationship between G & M
• recent language- emphasizes the relationship between G & M as a vassel relationship, patterned after covenant times established and maintained by God’s grace.
• recent - greater emphasis placed on God’s gracious and faithful dealing with mankind.