Weekly Blog

Lesson 19 – Major Forces In the West – Monasticism and the Papacy

Apr 23, 2016

This lesson focuses on "Major Forces In the West – Monasticism and the Papacy." This material is a small part of Chapter 26.

Lesson 18 – The Situation In the West After the Fall of Rome

Mar 21, 2016

This lesson focuses on "The Situation In the West After the Fall of Rome." This material is a small part of Chapter 26.

Lesson 17 – Christological Controversies

Feb 27, 2016

In this section, we will be looking at the Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries, including the great Church councils at Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (451). To prepare, read Chapter 27 in Gonzales (Eastern Christianity), especially up to and including the Council of Chalcedon.

Lesson 16 – Augustine

Nov 28, 2015

In this session, we will be looking at the life, writings, and legacy of Augustine. This material is found mainly in chapter 24 in the Gonzales book.

Lesson 15 – Ambrose, Chrysostom, and Jerome

Oct 31, 2015

In this session, we look at the lives and legacy of Ambrose, John Chrysostom, and Jerome. This material is found mainly in chapters 21-23 in the Gonzales book.

Lesson 14 – The Great Cappdocian Fathers and the Council of Constantinople

Sep 26, 2015

In this session we look at the Great Cappdocian Fathers and the Council of Constantinople. To prepare you can read Chapter 20 in the Gonzales book, and you can look at internet resources to get a little background on the council of Constantinople and the creed that came out of that council.

Lesson 13 – Athanasius

Aug 01, 2015

In this session, we look at Athanasius. Athanasius stood strong for the orthodox faith, accurately seeing that to deny the Deity of Christ was to deny the faith itself. His life and writings thus became one of the most important chapters in church history. Reading: Chapter 17

Lesson 12 – The Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicea

Jun 20, 2015

In this session we look at Diocletian, including the great changes to the ruling of the empire under his reign, and the final great persecution during his final years. We then look at the rise of Constantine, and the change in the relationship between the Empire and the church – from persecution, to tolerance, to acceptance.

Lesson 11 – The Great Persecution and Final Victory

May 16, 2015

In this session, we look at Diocletian, including the great changes to the ruling of the empire under his reign, and the final great persecution during his final years. We then look at the rise of Constantine, and the change in the relationship between the Empire and the church – from persecution, to tolerance, to acceptance.

Lesson 10 – Third Century Persections and Their Effects

Mar 28, 2015

We will be looking at the persecutions under Decius and Valerian, how the church responded, and the question of how to handle those who lapsed under the persecution. We will also look at Cyprian and some of his other ideas.