The Study of Church History

I. Biblical Principles Regarding the Study of History

A. The Source and Sovereign of history - Acts 17:24-27
B. The example of the Old and New Testaments - e.g., Kings; Chronicles; Gospels; Acts.
C. Learning the lessons of history - 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11; Acts 7.
D. The inspiration of history - Hebrews 11:1-40; 12:1-2; 13:7-8.
E. An orderly systematic understanding of history - Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2.
F. The divine philosophy of history
1. The eternal dimension - Ephesians 1:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Timothy 1:19.
2. The purpose of the nations - Acts 17:26-27.
3. Turning points in history - Daniel 9:24-27; Mark 1:14-15; Galatians 4:4; Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25; Ephesians 1:10.
4. The dialectic of history - Romans 9-11.
5. The goal of history - Revelation 11:15.
6. Intention and fulfillment - Genesis 1 & 2 and Revelation 21 & 22.

II. The Branches of Church History

A. The New Testament model and practice
B. The New Testament world and environment
C. Geographic spread
D. Persecutions
E. Church-State relations
F. Outside influences - e.g., Gnosticism
G. Divisions
H. Church government
I. Worship
J. The Christian life
K. Doctrinal development

III. The Sources of Church History

A. Primary sources
1. The Bible
2. Non-canonical writings
3. Writings of the apostolic and church fathers
4. Ancient church historians, e.g., Eusebius - 1st (4th Century)
5. Creeds and confessions of faith
6. Councils and liturgies
7. Heretical writings and heathen authors
8. Autobiographies and diaries
9. Writings and documents of all the various personalities related to the history of the church
10. Inscriptions, art, and symbols
B. Secondary Sources
1. Church historians
2. Secular historians
3. Encyclopedias and dictionaries
4. Commentaries
5. Tradition

IV. The Study of Church History

A. The historical view
1. Ancient (A.D. 1-590)
2. Medieval (A.D. 590-1517)
3. Modern (A.D. 1517 - present)
B. The topical view
1. The Coming of Jesus Christ (4 B.C. - A.D. 100)
2. Persecutions and Foundations (A.D. 100-313)
3. An Imperial Church (A.D. 313-590)
4. Conflicts and Controversies (A.D. 590-800)
5. The East-West Schism (A.D. 800-1054)
6. The Power Struggle (A.D. 1054-1305)
7. Disruption and Decline (A.D. 1305-1517)
8. The Reform Crisis (A.D. 1517-1648)
9. Faith and Reason (A.D. 1648-1776)
10. Revolutions and Repercussions (A.D. 1776-1900)
11. Missions and Movements (A.D. 1792-1914)
12. The Paradox of Recession and Advance (A.D. 1914 - Present)
C. The dispensational or prophetical view
1. Based on Matthew 13 and Revelation 2 & 3
a. Ephesus - Apostolic Age to A.D. 100 - lost its first love
b. Smyrna - A.D. 100-313 - suffered, was persecuted
c. Pergamos - A.D. 313-590 - married to world
d. Thyatira - A. D. 590 - present - Roman Catholic Church
e. Sardis - A. D. 1517 - present - (Reformers) didn't bring things to completion
f. Philadelphia - A. D. 1517 - present - overcoming believers
g. Laodicea - Post-reformation - present - lukewarm
D. A general study
1. A bird's-eye-view from the beginning to the present day
(panoramic and systematic)
E. A particular study
1. Leading personalities
2. Movements and issues
3. Doctrinal developments