A Survey of Church History

The Reformation was a turning point in the history of the church. And in its aftermath, Protestants wanted to continue along the trajectory set by the Reformers. They sought to further develop a theology which was reformed according to Scripture, and to continue to purify, discipline, and grow the church. Accordingly, there were many internal challenges facing the fledgling Reformed church. And in addition to these internal challenges, there were many external challenges. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey will explain the major challenges that faced the Reformed church as it sought to be a faithful witness in an ever-changing world.

One might think of scholastic theology as dry, nitpicky, and irrelevant, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many scholastic theologians were learned, lively, and deeply concerned not just about orthodoxy, but also piety. Although their writings are often challenging, Christians today can benefit greatly from these past saints. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will survey the scholastic movement, pointing out its importance and relevance for the church—past and present.

Inward apathy toward the Lord masked by outward obedience is a real and constant threat in any church. Keenly aware of this danger, the Puritans zealously proclaimed the importance of heart-felt affection for the Lord. They sought to nourish genuine faith and piety especially through passionate preaching, Bible studies, and conscientious Sabbath observance. Though frequently portrayed as joyless legalists, we will see in this lesson that in reality, Puritans were more frequently characterized by their pursuit of joyful, sincere devotion to the Lord.

During the mid-seventeenth century, England was embroiled in a civil war between the king’s forces and those of parliament. The aftermath of this conflict saw political change and much theological reflection. It was during this time period that the Westminster Assembly met to reform doctrine, church government, and worship. In this lecture, you will study this tumultuous time period, focusing on the connection between the Puritans and politics. You will also come to a better understanding of the climate within which the Westminster Assembly took place.

Many Reformed churches today trace their roots back to the Puritans, and have even adopted as their standards the Westminster Confession and Catechisms. However, there are two areas where most of those churches differ from their Puritan predecessors: worship and eschatology. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey explains why the Puritans worshipped the way did, and how they understood the book of Revelation.

Assurance of one’s salvation is an important part of Protestant faith, and one of the many marks that sharply distinguishes it from Roman Catholicism. In the seventeenth century, however, many within Puritan circles struggled with this issue. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will explain this struggle. He will also spend considerable time discussing the Puritan understanding of conversion, and will show that the very idea of conversion has changed dramatically over the past few centuries.

When the Puritans came to the New World, they had no intention of establishing a new religion. What they did want to do, however, was bring their old world religious ideal into reality. Despite the inherent difficulties in their new environment, the Puritans found some measure of early success. But as time passed, internal challenges added to the external. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will summarize the religious foundations of the American colonies, looking especially at the Puritans’ desire to maintain a pure church.

The Enlightenment had a profound effect on Western thought. During this period, some sought to reconcile the Christian faith with modern thought, while others tried to cut themselves completely from their Christian moorings. But even those who set out to uproot the Christian influence upon society ended up adopting suspiciously similar ideas. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will show us how the church navigated through the Enlightenment, pointing out the different responses to this new challenge.

The religious climate in England in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries was cold and dry. Onto this barren landscape came George Whitefield and John Wesley, whose powerful preaching and novel methods played an important role in kindling hearts and stirring religious affection. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will introduce both of these men, the spiritual context within which they worked, and the results of their ministries.

The Great Awakening was a time of great religious interest that began in New England and spread throughout the American colonies. It was spearheaded by the great preacher George Whitefield, and aided by America’s most prominent pastor and theologian, Jonathan Edwards. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will explain the history of this influential movement, focusing on its key figures. He will also look back to England and revisit the ministry and influence of John Wesley during this time period.

Jonathan Edwards has been called by some the most brilliant American who ever lived. He played an integral part in the Great Awakening, and his towering intellect was matched only by his religious devotion. In this lecture, join Dr. Godfrey as he explains the life and impact of one of the most influential individuals in American history.

Coming at the close of the eighteenth century, the American and French Revolutions had an enormous impact on subsequent history. While both movements were revolutionary in nature, you will see how different their aim and character were. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will highlight some of the key points of these events, showing especially how the American Revolution affected American church history.