Great World Religions: Christianity

Course Overview

Get an overview of the history and practice of the world’s largest religion in this concise and accurate course taught by an award-winning professor of New Testament studies.

The history of Christianity is a dramatic and complex story that has shaped cultures, politics, and the very nature of human identity for nearly 2,000 years. In this course, you will explore the important elements of Christianity through 12 engaging lectures, revealing the significant transformations that the faith has undergone.

Professor Johnson provides insights into Christianity’s origins, its development as the imperial religion of Rome, and its deep-rooted connections to Western culture. You’ll explore theological and historical contexts, examine Christian practices, and witness the many internal divisions that have emerged over centuries. This course is essential for anyone seeking to understand the profound influence of Christianity on our world today.

Video Lecture List

1. Christianity among World Religions

• 32 min
• An introduction to Christianity’s context relative to other major religious traditions.

1. Birth and Expansion

• 30 min
• Explore how Christianity emerged from a small sect within Judaism to become a world religion.

1. Second Century and Self-Definition

• 31 min
• Track the transformation of Christianity from persecuted communities to a well-defined church.

1. The Christian Story

• 30 min
• Analyze Christianity’s comprehensive narrative from creation to eschatology.

1. What Christians Believe

• 30 min
• Discuss foundational doctrines and the significance of early creeds within Christianity.

1. The Church and Sacraments

• 31 min
• Review the expansion of church structures and sacramental practices following Constantine’s conversion.

1. Moral Teaching

• 31 min
• Examine the ethical teachings of Christianity and their implications for adherents.

1. The Radical Edge

• 30 min
• Consider the tension between conservative and radical tendencies in early Christianity.

1. Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant

• 31 min
• Identify major divisions within Christianity and their historical contexts.

1. Christianity and Politics

• 30 min
• Explore the relationship between Christianity and state power throughout history.

(…Continued through all 12 lectures)