(30-70 AD) The Time of Jesus and the Apostles
The death and resurrection of Christ.
The Christian faith is birthed and the gospel of grace is preached.
(70-312) The Age of Catholic 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) The Age of the Christian Empire
Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire; Age of great councils.
Christianity became a faith for the masses; start of Monasticism.
(590-1517) The Middle Ages
The fall of Rome and the Byzantine empire.
Benedictine monks deployed as missionaries; the pope becomes the "ruler" of the church.
The crusades: The church gains the world but looses it soul.
(1517-1648) The Age of Reformation
Martin Luther and the protestant movement.
The start of denominationalism - Examples: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist and Anglican.
The papacy looses it power and influence.
(1648-1789) The Age of Reason and Revival
Secularism -- The mind becomes god; people begin to ask, "Who needs God?"
Revivals such as Pietism, Methodism and the Great Awakening seek to restore God to public life.
(1789-1914) 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) The Age of Ideologies...
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