2026 - Page 4 of 4 - History of Christianity

The Rise of Bible Colleges: Origins, Purpose, and Present Challenges

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Bible colleges occupy a distinctive place in the landscape of Christian higher education. Neither traditional seminaries nor fully comprehensive universities, they emerged from revivalist and evangelical movements with a focused mission: to train laypeople and ministers in Scripture for practical Christian service. Their story is deeply connected to the rise of evangelicalism, missions movements, fundamentalism, … Read More “The Rise of Bible Colleges: Origins, Purpose, and Present Challenges” »

The Creation and Development of the Book of Common Prayer

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

English History

Few texts—outside of the Bible—have shaped English-speaking Christianity as profoundly as the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). It has influenced theology, worship, politics, literature, and even the English language itself. Its origins lie in the upheavals of the 16th-century Reformation, but its reach extends globally and across centuries. Understanding the Book of Common Prayer requires situating it within the … Read More “The Creation and Development of the Book of Common Prayer” »

Pelagius: The Monk Who Challenged Augustine

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026 Stephen Bedard 1 Comment

Church Fathers

Few figures in early Christian history have had as paradoxical a legacy as Pelagius. Though condemned as a heretic, his controversy with Augustine of Hippo profoundly shaped Western theology, especially doctrines of sin, grace, and free will. To understand Pelagius is to understand one of the most formative theological disputes of late antiquity. Historical Context: The Late … Read More “Pelagius: The Monk Who Challenged Augustine” »

The Rise and Development of American Exceptionalism

February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Modern History

Few ideas have shaped the political, religious, and cultural self-understanding of the United States more than American exceptionalism. At its core is the belief that the United States is fundamentally different from—and often morally superior to—other nations, possessing a unique mission in world history. While the phrase itself is relatively modern, the ideas behind it reach … Read More “The Rise and Development of American Exceptionalism” »

Augustine of Canterbury: Apostle to the English and Architect of Anglo-Saxon Christianity

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

English History

Augustine of Canterbury (d. c. 604) stands at the beginning of organized Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Sent from Rome as a missionary rather than a theologian in the speculative sense, Augustine’s significance lies not in original doctrinal development but in institution-building, pastoral leadership, and the transmission of Roman Christianity to the English kingdoms. His work laid the … Read More “Augustine of Canterbury: Apostle to the English and Architect of Anglo-Saxon Christianity” »

The Fourth Century: A Turning Point in Christian Church History

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Church Fathers

The fourth century stands as one of the most decisive periods in the history of Christianity. In the space of one hundred years, the church moved from being a persecuted minority within the Roman Empire to becoming a legally recognized and eventually imperially supported institution. This transformation reshaped Christian theology, ecclesial structures, worship, and the … Read More “The Fourth Century: A Turning Point in Christian Church History” »

A Brief History of Theological Degrees in Christianity

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Theology

Formal theological education is so embedded in contemporary Christianity that it is easy to assume degrees such as the Master of Divinity or Doctor of Theology have always existed. In reality, theological degrees developed gradually, shaped by medieval universities, ecclesiastical needs, denominational priorities, and—more recently—modern academic and professional expectations. This post traces the historical development … Read More “A Brief History of Theological Degrees in Christianity” »

Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic: What’s the Difference?

January 14, 2026January 14, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Roman Catholic Church

Many people are surprised to learn that the Catholic Church is not monolithic. While the Roman Catholic Church is by far the largest and most visible expression of Catholicism, it exists alongside Eastern Catholic Churches that are fully Catholic yet distinctly Eastern in theology, worship, and practice. This post explains what separates Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic traditions, why that separation … Read More “Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic: What’s the Difference?” »

Jerome: The Man Behind the Vulgate and the Making of the Latin Bible

January 10, 2026January 11, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Church Fathers

This post is a companion piece to my podcast episode on Jerome. It is not the transcript for the episode. The podcast episode on Jerome introduces him as the architect of the Latin Vulgate and one of the most formidable biblical scholars of late antiquity. This companion post expands that portrait by exploring Jerome’s personality, lesser-known … Read More “Jerome: The Man Behind the Vulgate and the Making of the Latin Bible” »

The Role of the Saints in Roman Catholic Theology

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Roman Catholic Church

Development, Doctrine, and Devotion The veneration of saints is one of the most distinctive features of Roman Catholic Christianity. To critics, it has often appeared as an innovation or even a deviation from early Christian practice. To Catholics, it represents a natural outgrowth of core Christian convictions about the resurrection, the communion of believers, and … Read More “The Role of the Saints in Roman Catholic Theology” »