Key Events in Church History, Part I

Abstract

Richard D. Balge’s Key Events in Church History, Part I surveys pivotal developments in early Christianity, beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. He traces the gospel’s spread from Jerusalem, Paul’s enduring ties to the city, and the alienation of Jewish Christians from their countrymen. Balge explores Constantine’s role in church establishment, including the Edict of Milan, imperial favoritism, and the rise of caesaropapism. He details the Arian controversy, the Council of Nicaea (325), and the theological contributions of Athanasius and the Cappadocians, culminating in the Council of Constantinople (381). The essay also examines the origins and evolution of monasticism through figures like Anthony of Thebes, Basil the Great, and Benedict of Nursia, evaluating its spiritual and societal impact. Balge concludes with reflections on monasticism’s strengths and theological tensions, offering a rich historical and doctrinal narrative. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)