The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch

Course Overview

Examine the last 500 years of history through the lens of Christianity with an esteemed professor.

The history of Christianity over the past five centuries tells a dramatic story. This course provides a chance to explore one of the most powerful narratives in world history. Across 36 fascinating lectures, Professor Molly Worthen of the University of North Carolina traces Christianity’s transformation from a relatively homogenous entity at the end of the Middle Ages to the diverse global religion it is today.

Examining significant events such as Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and the Scientific Revolution, Professor Worthen blends theological insight with historical context. She personalizes history with stories of individuals and groups, revealing the profound impact of Christianity on society, culture, and politics. This course is essential for anyone wanting to understand the complexities and contradictions of Christianity’s past and its influence on the modern world.

Video Lecture List

1. Prophets of Reform before Protestantism

• 31 min
• Explore powerful critiques of the church in Renaissance Italy and their significant themes.

1. Luther and the Dawn of Protestantism

• 28 min
• Delve into Martin Luther’s revolutionary critique of the church and its context in the 16th century.

1. Zwingli, Calvin, and the Reformed Tradition

• 31 min
• Investigate the more radical Reformers and their theological and political critiques.

1. The Anabaptist Radicals

• 29 min
• Learn about the Anabaptists’ ambitions to separate church and state.

1. The Catholic Reformation

• 29 min
• Survey the efforts within the Catholic Church to reform and consolidate power during the Reformation.

1. The Church Militant in the Spanish Empire

• 30 min
• Analyze the intersection of religious motives and political ambitions in 16th-century Spain.

1. War and Witchcraft in the Holy Roman Empire

• 27 min
• Delve into the Thirty Years’ War and its connection to witch-hunting hysteria.

1. Puritans, Kings, and Theology in Practice

• 28 min
• Follow the Puritans’ quest for religious freedom and their influence on early America.

1. Religious Dissent and the English Civil War

• 29 min
• Survey the English Civil War’s consequences on religious freedom and the proliferation of radical sects.

1. Eastern Orthodoxy: From Byzantium to Russia

• 29 min
• Examine the schism in the church and the emergence of Eastern Orthodoxy.

(…Continued through all 36 lectures)