The Catholic Church: A History

Course Overview

Explore the vast and fascinating history of one of the most influential institutions in the world.

How did the Catholic Church become one of the most influential institutions in the world—a force capable of moving armies, inspiring saints, and shaping the lives of a billion members? Explore these questions as you follow the development of this important institution in 36 informative lectures. With Professor Cook, you’ll step into the world of the early church, witness the spread of Christendom, and learn about the origins of fundamental church institutions.

Your journey begins in the early years of the church when Jesus’s disciples developed the first communities of faith. You’ll discover crucial ancient church documents and gain an intriguing glimpse into the lives of these early believers. You will trace the development and spread of this nascent religion, covering significant milestones including the conversion of the Roman Empire to Catholicism, the schism between the Roman faith and the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Reformation.

As you delve into this fascinating saga, you’ll uncover the many variations of worship and belief that evolved as Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean. Professor Cook combines intellectual rigor with a profound appreciation of the church’s legacy and impact. Join him on this epic journey through Catholic history and experience how this small gathering of faithful became one of the most powerful forces on the world stage—the “one holy catholic and apostolic Church.”

Video Lecture List

1. From Jesus to the Creation of the Church

• 32 min
• Investigate the roots of Christianity as found in ancient Jewish traditions and the gospel in the earliest days of the Christian faith.

1. The First Christian Institutions

• 31 min
• Discover how the followers of Christ evolved from a loose band of disciples into communities of worship through early Christian documents.

1. Christianities in the Early Church

• 32 min
• Learn how believers adapted their faith practices, creating a diversity of worship in the early church.

1. Persecution and Saints

• 32 min
• Explore the widespread persecution of Christians initiated by the Roman emperor and the emergence of martyred saints.

1. Peace between Empire and Church

• 32 min
• See how Christianity gained a powerful ally in Emperor Constantine, altering its status from persecuted minority to privileged minority.

1. Institutional and Doctrinal Developments

• 32 min
• Examine the institutional revolution and unified doctrine that arose after the church was freed from Roman persecution.

1. Latin Theology, Including Augustine

• 32 min
• Investigate the development of Latin church theology and the influence of Augustine, the most important father of Christian theology.

1. Popes and Bishops in the Early Middle Ages

• 31 min
• Learn about the church’s role in providing leadership during the turmoil following the fall of Roman authority.

1. Monasticism—Benedict and His Rule

• 32 min
• Trace the development of monasticism and the preeminent form established by Benedict.

1. Evangelizing Northern and Eastern Europe

• 32 min
• Explore how Christianity spread to regions like Ireland, Iceland, Scandinavia, and Germany, and the variations that developed.

(…Continued through all 36 lectures)