Church History: From Persecution to Christian Empire (3rd-4th centuries)

(Click here for the church history series page)

Lecture: From Persecution to Christian Empire

(click here to listen or right-click to download)

Lecture Notes Outline

The Age of Persecution (mid-3rd – early 4th century)
     - Decian persecution
     - Rapid growth of Christianity in all social classes
     - Developments in Christian worship & practice
     - The Great Persecution

The Constantinian Revolution
     - Constantine’s conversion & rise to power
     - Christianity’s initial growth as a legal religion
     - The roots of monasticism

The First Trinitarian Debate: On the Son
     - The challenge of Arianism
     - Athanasius’ defense of orthodoxy
     - The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) – the first ecumenical council

The Global Spread of the Gospel
     - Persecution in the Persian Empire
     - The conversion of Armenia & Georgia
     - Ulfilas’ mission to the Goths
     - Christianity becomes a majority religion in the Roman Empire