May 2020
Christianity's Early Years
05/31/20 Filed in: History
Christianity's Early Years Continuing our study of historical issues related to the work of apologetics, in this lesson we begin considering the history of the church following the New Testament era. What was the strategic importance of Pentecost? What is the Bauer-Ehrman thesis and how is it mistaken? What were the two main periods of persecution experienced by the church in the first centuries. When was the greatest and most intense persecution? What is the story of Constantine’s conversion at the Milvian bridge? What are some evidences that Constantine’s conversion was authentic? What are some mistakes that people often make in evaluation Constantine’s life and influence? Did Constantine dominate and control the church during his rule? What are some prevalent myths about the Council of Nicaea? How do we know that orthodoxy was the belief of the earliest church? (59 min)Lesson 37: Review Questions
Lesson 37: Lesson Notes
Handout: The Nicene Creeds
The Bible, Christianity, and Slavery
05/24/20 Filed in: History
[Due to the Coronavirus restrictions, this class met online. This is an audio recording of that online session.]
The Bible, Christianity, and Slavery What was the historical and cultural context of slavery in the Ancient Near East? Why is that important to understand? How was slavery in Israel different from our contemporary concept of slavery? What social purpose did slavery serve in a tribal/patriarchal culture? What were some of the safeguards which the Mosaic law imposed on slavery? How was slavery in the Greco-Roman world dramatically different to that of the Old Testament, and more akin to slavery in the Antebellum South in the United States? Why would it have been practically impossible for the apostles or the early church to call for the abolition of slavery? How did the early church elevate the status of slaves and eventually effect the end of slavery in Western civilization? After the resurgence of slavery in the West during the colonization of the New World, who led the abolitionist movement in America? How did Southern Christians justify slavery biblically? What was wrong with such arguments for slavery supposedly based on the bible? (58 min)
Lesson 36: Review Questions
Lesson 36: Lesson Notes
The Bible, Christianity, and Slavery What was the historical and cultural context of slavery in the Ancient Near East? Why is that important to understand? How was slavery in Israel different from our contemporary concept of slavery? What social purpose did slavery serve in a tribal/patriarchal culture? What were some of the safeguards which the Mosaic law imposed on slavery? How was slavery in the Greco-Roman world dramatically different to that of the Old Testament, and more akin to slavery in the Antebellum South in the United States? Why would it have been practically impossible for the apostles or the early church to call for the abolition of slavery? How did the early church elevate the status of slaves and eventually effect the end of slavery in Western civilization? After the resurgence of slavery in the West during the colonization of the New World, who led the abolitionist movement in America? How did Southern Christians justify slavery biblically? What was wrong with such arguments for slavery supposedly based on the bible? (58 min)Lesson 36: Review Questions
Lesson 36: Lesson Notes