Early Church History 101 - Ancient Christian History, the early church fathers, church history for beginners, the New Testament Canon, wine in the bible, ancient world, water baptism, first century, second century, third century, RA Baker, Al Baker, Alan Baker, Dr. Al Baker, Dr. Christopher Craun, Chris Craun

Early Church History 101 is the place where you can learn some basics about the early Christian Church, ask difficult questions, and find answers for some of the assertions being used to attack the historic Christian faith.

Historical Revisionism
THIS statement can be found ALL over the internet:
"After deciding against the Donatists, Constantine led an army of Christians against the Donatist Christians."
Read the account of Emperor Constantine and the Donatists to see how this is a case of changing history.

Numerous CH101 readers have written to me with questions and critical comments about what I have written regarding Emperor Constantine. There is a significant percentage of conservative Protestants who believe Christianity suffered greatly under Constantine. As a young man I was taught that the Catholic Church started with Constantine and was the beginning of Christianity losing it's way.
One reader expressed it very close to how I learned it as a young man:

"Paul said that the 'mystery of iniquity' was already at work in the church even during his day (2 Thes. 2:7). How much more in the years following the death of Paul and the other Apostles would the 'mystery of iniquity' be working."

While there are some valid points to be made for Christianity losing it's zeal and spiritual power, Constantine gets a bad rap in MY opinion. If you are interested in learning more about Constantine to better decide if he was a Christian or not, here are some links on CH101:
Emperor Constantine comes to Power
Emperor Constantine and Christian Faith
Emperor Constantine at the Council of Nicea
Emperor Constantine and Worship of the Sun (Sol Invictus)
Emperor Constantine and Christians in the Military
Emperor Constantine Against the Donatists

Other Topics of Interest:

1. Early Church History Podcasts
"Grace to You," a study in Ephesians using Watchman Nee, "Sit, Walk, Stand."

"Contemplative Prayer," a series based on the Brother Lawrence classic "The Practice of the Presence of God."

Church History class lectures given at Saint Augustine's College. (unedited)

How the Christian New Testament Canon was Formed
The NT was NOT dropped from heaven.
The NT was NOT delivered by an angel.
The NT was NOT dug up in a field as golden plates like the Book of Mormon.
The NT was NOT suddenly "discovered" in a clay jar with 27 "books" intact like the Dea Sea Scrolls or the Nag Hammadi texts.
Read "How the New Testament Canon was Formed"

What you will find with CH101
I have great passion for early church history in general, the ancient Greek and Roman world, and the first three centuries of Christian history in particular. There is a real lack of knowledge and understanding of early church history, especially among Protestants. We should realize that the early church was not perfect, even though they were closer to the apostolic age. To understand how the fathers faced the issues of their day should instruct us, at the very least to give us perspective, and help us know which issues are truly important.

I find that most Protestants attack anything "Catholic" without realizing how many "Catholic" teachings and traditions started before the "Catholic Church" was formed, thus some of these early traditions are ancient, and technically "Christian." At the same time, Catholics want to insist that the Catholic Church started with Peter as the first Pope and Orthodox Christians believe the various branches of the Orthodox Church represent the "true" Christian faith. These are not an historically-based positions, but this is the reason for Church History 101 - to educate people on Christian history.

Meet Dr. R.A. Baker.
Dr. Baker's Research.

Early Church History - CH101