A Simple Timeline of Christian History
Christian history isn’t very simple, it is very intricate and complex; therefore for everyone’s benefit let’s go through the following simplified timeline:
30-70 AD – The Time of Jesus Christ and the Apostles
- The death and resurrection of Christ.
- The Christian faith is birthed and the gospel of grace is preached.
70-312 AD – The Persecution and Spread of Christianity
- The spread of the Christian faith; martyrdom of the early believers.
- Early heresies sprouted; first church councils and the canonizing of scripture.
312-590 AD – The Era of the Christian Empire
- Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire;
- Christianity became a faith for the masses;
590-1517 AD – The Middle Ages
- The pope becomes the ‘ruler’ of the church.
- The crusades: The church gains the world but loses its soul.
1517-1648 AD – The Age of Reformation
- Martin Luther, protestant movement; start of denominationalism (Lutheran, Anglican etc.)
- The Vatican loses its power and influence.
1648-1789 AD – The Time of Scientific Advance and Revival
- On one hand, rise of secularism: people begin to ask, ‘Who needs God?’
- Many revivals, especially the ‘Great Awakening’ tries to restore God to public life.
1789-1914 AD – The Age of Progress
- The message of Christ is carried to distant lands, but the faith continues to leave public life.
- Pluralistic and totalitarian societies see no relevance for Christianity.
1912-current AD – The present Church…
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Next in the series: 5 Ways to Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit.