The author provides a preview of the Pelagian controversy from early church history, which involved Augustine and Pelagius (a later development of Pelagianism became known as semi-Pelagianism). The controversy in question centres around the nature of the fall of man, saving grace, and the will of man.

This article is about the Roman empire and the advancement of gospel, communication opportunities and mission in the early church, syncretism, and the relation of world history and church history.

This article is about the Arian controversy in the early church. The author discusses the divinity of Jesus Christ, the beliefs of Origin and Athanasius with regards to the Trinity and Jesus Christ, and the Nicene Creed.

This article discusses the Apostolic Fathers, the canon, the pope, martyrs, and the Da Vinci code.

This article is an overview of the church history of the 4th Century A.D.

Becoming a Christian in the early church brought enormous social costs. This article considers why anyone in that context would become a Christian, offering three reasons why Christianity attracted followers. These are the lessons the church can learn today in the cultural environment.

Docetism is a teaching that claimed that Jesus only appeared to be human but in essence was not human. This article explains why this teaching is heretical, and its relevance for the church today.

Manichaeism taught that life constitutes of an eternal struggle between the kingdom of light and darkness. This article explains why this teaching is heretical and what is its relevance for the church today.

Gnostics promoted a view about man and Christ that was contrary to the Bible. This article introduces the heresy of Gnosticism and why it matters for the church today.

The three Councils of Constantinople dealt with the issue of the Trinity and Christology. This article looks at the history and relevance of these councils.

This article looks at the First Council of Ephesus and how it dealt with the teaching of Nestorius. It explains the content and relevance of this council.

In Christ, did God become human? This is what the Creed of Chalcedon endeavoured to answer in dealing with the nature and person of Christ.

Have you ever heard the idea that the deity of Christ was a doctrine invented centuries after his death? This article shows by way of twenty-five quotations from the early church fathers that the early church believed Jesus is God.

This article explores the early church's celebration of the Lord's Supper. It addresses the question of whether they believed that the elements were actually transformed into the physical body and blood of Christ.

How did the doctrine of sola Scriptura feature in the centuries before the Reformation? This article shows how it was championed by the church fathers.

This article raises a number of features of Pelagius and Pelagianism, including his emphases in his theology (e.g., his view of free will).

The church has always been faced with heretical teachings. This article introduces Sabellius, and his teaching on the doctrine of God. It shows also how the church responded to it, and how it concerns the church today.

The church has always been faced by heretical teachings. This article introduces Gnosticism, its origin and teachings. It shows how the church responded to it, and how it relates to the church today.

Berkhof studies some perversions of the gospel from the time of the early New Testament church to when Gnosticism took centre stage. In the early church he takes note of perversions such as those of the Nazarenes, the Ebionites, and the Elkesaites. He also examines Gnosticism, its origins, character, teachings, and historical significance.

Arius taught that Jesus was created. His teaching came to be known as Arianism. This article introduces the false teacher and his teaching.

Gnosticism was a heresy that flourished in the second century A.D. This paper introduces Gnosticism and notes its cosmology, theology, and view of history.

This article on church history looks at the fall of Rome. Emphasis is on the impact of the fall of Rome on the early church.

This article on church history provides an overview of the scientific theologians. Attention is given to the Eastern Fathers and the School of Antioch (John Chrysostom, Theodore, and Eusebius), as well as the Latin Fathers (Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine).

This article on church history looks at all the three Councils of Constantinople, which dealt with the deity of the Holy Spirit and the humanity of Christ. It also discusses the Council of Ephesus and the Council of Chalcedon, which dealt with the two natures of Christ.

This article on church history looks at some of the doctrinal beliefs of the early church. The author discusses the contemporary views on the doctrine of the second coming, the millennium, atonement, baptism, and church government and polity.

This article on church history looks at the church from the West and East with attention given to: the apostolic fathers - Clement of Rome, Ignatius, and Polycarp; the apologists - Justin Martyr and Tertullian; and the polemicists - Irenaeus, Cyprian, and Origen.

This article on church history looks at the persecution of the early church. Focus is given to state persecution from the time of Nero to Constantine, who brought the persecution to an end. Attention is given to both the positive and negative results of the persecution of the church.

In this article on church history, the author shows how the introduction of heresies such as Gnosticism and Montanism created a need for the Apostles' Creed, a New Testament canon, and church organisation.

This article on church history looks at the end of the apostolic age. The author speaks about the apostolic mission, social action, and church government during the apostolic age. 

This article shows how God prepared the world for the coming of Christ through the governing of the Roman empire, the Greek language, and the culture of the time. The author discusses this context surrounding the 1st century church and early church history.

This article explains why the teaching of Nestorius on the person and nature of Christ was heresy.

Is man born corrupt and depraved? This was the question that faced the Council of Carthage and the Council of Orange. This article explains the history and content of these councils, and their relevance.

The church has always been faced with heretical teachings. This article introduces Montanus, and his teaching known as Montanism. It shows how the church responded to it, and how it concerns the church today?

This article discusses the First Council of Constantinople, whose purpose was to unite a church that remained divided over the issue of the nature of Christ and his relationship with the Father. The article discusses the Council's setting, purpose, major characters, and the nature and results of the conflict.

This article discusses the Council of Ephesus, whose purpose was address the teaching of Nestorius that came to be known as Nestorianism, a teaching that stressed the independence of the divine and human natures of Christ. The article considers the Council's setting, purpose, major characters, and the nature and results of the conflict.

This article discusses the Council of Chalcedon whose purpose was to rectify the tension created by the Council of Ephesus on the nature of Christ. The article discusses the Council's setting, purpose, and major characters, as well as the nature and results of the conflict.

Pelagius believed that man has free will and therefore is able to contribute to his salvation. This teaching became known as Pelagianism. The article discusses this false teacher and teaching.

The Three Cappadocians are three important theologians in the 4th Century AD. They were Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus. Their biggest contributions were on the doctrine of the Trinity.

Looking at the Council of Chalcedon, this article shows how this council was able to clarify the Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, and the Eutychianism in the controversy on the human and divine nature of Christ. Though these heresies dated before Chalcedon, the author shows that heresy is necessary as it helps to advance orthodoxy.

This article on church history looks at the three missionary journeys and the ministry of the apostle Paul.

On this article about church history, the author looks at the early church with a focus on the book of Acts. The author discusses the Jewish nature of the early church, the early persecution of believers, and the message of the church, showing how the Gospel progressed amidst all this.

This article looks at the doctrine of the Trinity in the early church, specifically Tertullian and Hillary of Poitier's view of the Trinity.

When Augustine became bishop of Hippo in 395 AD, he was compelled to deal with a schism which had existed in the church for 85 years. The schism consisted of mutual hostility and distrust. Both groups had the same episcopal constitution, the same priesthood, the same Creed and Sacraments. The schism existed on two levels. The first was over the concern for purity in the Christian life and worldly separation while the second point of contention was doctrinal.

Is Jesus God? The Watchtower claims that Jesus is not God and that this is what the early church fathers taught also. This article examines the teaching of Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Hippolytus, and Origen to show that they believed the deity of Christ.

Christianity emerged from Judaism. This article inquires how dialogue was conducted with the Jewish confession that the Lord is One. According to this article this did take place frequently, as is evident in the use of the Shema in many New Testament passages (e.g., Romans 3:27-31), and it was also a flashpoint of debate between the church and the synagogue in the first century.

This article suggests that early Christian teaching consisted largely of a new understanding and interpretation of the message of the Old Testament. The primary means through which the Christian faith was communicated was the Jewish Scriptures. It indicates that early interpretation treated the Old Testament as a historical narrative of God's dealings with his people.

The article traces the view of the early church fathers on the authority of Scripture, showing that they held to the doctrine of sola Scriptura. Their view was abandoned by the Roman church, and then restored by the Reformation.

The Gnostic writings of the Nag Hammadi library form the subject of this article. The relationship between Gnosticism and early Christianity is explored as the author reflects on the contribution of Elaine Pagels.

Was there speaking in tongues in the period immediately following the apostles? Hunter examines writings from the early church fathers for the possible references to the phenomena of glossolalia. Specific attention is given to reactions against Montanism.

With the principle of sola Scriptura the Reformers restored what the church has always confessed. This article shows that from the early church this principle was upheld over against the Roman Catholic appeal to tradition as an authority next to Scripture.

This article on church history looks at the life of the apostle Paul: his background, conversion and early ministry.

This article discusses early church history. Christianity begins with Christ, because the Gospel is centred around Christ's work. The focus of the article is given to the historicity of Christ and His ministry, mission and message.

This article explores the ancient heresy Gnosticism, which bears influence still today.

This article is a critical evaluation of John W. Burgon's use of patristic evidence.

The dating of 1 Peter and Revelation is important for the interpretation of these books. This article argues that the persecution of Christians by Nero or Dominitian is irrelevant for the dating of either book.

Recent studies have recast our understanding of Roman religion and led us to appreciate both its diversity and unity.

This article is a critical confrontation with Walter Bauer’s book Orthodoxy and Heresy in Earliest Christianity. The author focuses in particular on what Bauer says about Christianity in Western Asia Minor.

This essay paints in broad brushstrokes a picture of what ministry looked like in the early church. The author discusses the ministry's organization, purpose and authority.