Tracing the Streams of the Church

Summer Lecture Series
Written By Robbie Earle

Our third Summer Lecture Series of the Summer was last week on the topic of Church History. We covered roughly 1000 years of church history from a 30,000 ft view over about an hour. Below, you’ll find a rough outline of the content, as well as the audio from the teaching. Enjoy!

 

Introduction

  • The Church’s history as a branching river/tree from one source: Jesus Christ.

  • Unity in the early Church: creeds, shared faith, diverse expressions.

  • Reasons to study this history:

    1. Know our “family history.”

    2. Foster humility and grace toward other believers.

    3. Anchor in the unchanging gospel.

I. The Great Schism (1054)

  • Background: Political, linguistic, cultural drift between East & West.

  • Key tensions:

    1. Filioque Clause – theological and political dispute.

    2. Papal authority – universal jurisdiction vs. conciliar model.

    3. Cultural rivalry – liturgical and political differences.

  • Breaking point: Mutual excommunications (Pope Leo IX & Patriarch Cerularius).

  • Legacy: Emergence of Roman Catholic & Eastern Orthodox Churches.

II. The Late Medieval Church (1054–1500s)

  • Church centrality: Religious, cultural, and social hub.

  • Renewal movements: Benedictines, Cluniacs, Cistercians, Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians.

  • Intellectual & spiritual life: Scholasticism (Aquinas) and Mysticism (Julian of Norwich).

  • Corruption & crises: Simony, nepotism, indulgence abuse, Avignon Papacy, Great Western Schism.

  • Pre-Reformation voices: Waldo, Wycliffe, Hus.

III. The Protestant Reformation (1517 onward)

  • Martin Luther: Sparked by indulgence abuse; Ninety-Five Theses (1517).

  • Core “Solas”: Scripture, Faith, Grace, Christ, Glory to God.

  • Spread of reform:

    • Zwingli (Zurich)

    • Calvin (Geneva)

    • Anabaptists

    • English Reformation (Anglicanism)

  • Catholic Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent, Jesuits.

  • Outcomes: Religious wars, Bible translation, denominational families.

IV. Post-Reformation & Denominational Expansion (1600s–1800s)

  • Protestant families: Lutheran, Reformed/Presbyterian, Anglican, Anabaptist heirs.

  • Baptists: Believers’ baptism, local autonomy, religious liberty.

  • Revivals: Pietism, First & Second Great Awakenings, Methodism.

  • Global missions: Carey, Judson, Taylor.

V. The 20th Century & Modern Movements

  • Pentecostalism: Azusa Street Revival; global growth.

  • Fundamentalism vs. Modernism: Biblical authority vs. cultural adaptation.

  • Ecumenical Movement: WCC, Vatican II, Lausanne.

  • Charismatic Renewal: Spiritual gifts across traditions.

  • Rise of Non-Denominationalism & Megachurches.

  • Global shift: Explosive growth in Global South.

VI. Today’s Landscape

  • Major streams: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal/Charismatic, Non-Denominational.

  • Trends: Growth in Global South, secularization in the West, ethical/theological debates, digital influence, persecution resilience.

  • Opportunities & challenges: Unity in diversity, shared mission.

Conclusion & Pastoral Charge

  • Unity rooted in Christ, not uniformity.

  • God raises reformers in every age.

  • The gospel transcends culture and time.

  • Call to love, learn from, and work with other believers for the kingdom.

Robbie Earle
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Deconstruction & Progressive Christianity