Credit Course students are required to complete all the course assignments by the stated deadline. They will receive grades that are transferable to any BGST postgraduate programmes.
Audit students do not have to fulfil the assignment requirements. However, they are encouraged to do class exercises and assignments to get the maximum benefit from the courses. They will not receive grades that are transferable to BGST Postgraduate Programmes.
Why are there so many Christian denominations? What are the Christian teachings that really matter? What can we learn from the theological and spiritual legacy of earlier Christians? These are some of the questions we may ask as we grow and mature as Christians.
Join us in Christian History, Thought and Culture 1 (CH101) as we explore how a first century Jewish sect ends up becoming the largest religion in the world, influencing faith, culture and ethics in every society.
Christian History, Thought and Culture 1 (CH101) is the first of a 2-course survey on the legacy of Christianity over the last 2,000 years. Besides surveying the significant historical movements in the first 1,500 years of church history, CH101 also explores their theological, intellectual, cultural and spiritual relevance for contemporary Christians, especially those living in Asia.
We begin with what John Calvin calls the ‘Golden Age of the Church’, that is, the age of the church fathers (2nd to 5th centuries). Thereafter, we explore the history and evolution of three major streams of Christianity: The Orthodox, Oriental and Western (Latin) Christianity, from the Middle Ages right up to the pre-Reformation period.
Topics to be discussed include the formation of the biblical canon, the transforming impact of Christianity on Greek and Western culture, the spiritual legacy of monasticism, and the challenges of Christian discipleship and witness in societies as diverse as the Roman Empire, the Islamic Empire, Tang Dynasty China and Medieval Europe.
Registration closes:
1 week before the class starts
Dr Lai Pak Wah
Introduction & Class Details (incl Zoom & Miro Links)
Orientation Course & Library Access
CH101 Course Syllabus
Thinkific Mobile App
FREE PREVIEWStudent AI Policy for the Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST)
BGST Student AI Policy Acknowledgement Statement
Topic 1 Introduction
01a Historiography Ch101 2022
01b whirlwind tour of history CH101 2022
How to Write Historical Paper Lecture Slides (2023)
CH101 Session 1 How to Use LMS (2023)
Whirlwind Tour of Church History: An Overview
Historiography (2016)
How to write historical essays (2023)
CH101 Session 1 (23 July 2025)
Introduction: Topic 2.1
1P01 Background to Early Christianity CH101 2022
1P02 Scripture _ Canon CH101 2022
Patristic Christianity I
Article: Introduction to Church History Bradley and Mueller (For Reflection 1)
Reading: The Didache
Epistle to Diogentus (Supplementary Reading)
Session 2: Patristics
Introduction: Topic 2.2
Preparation for Session 2
Reading Wilken's Spirit of the Early Christians Thought
Patristic Christianity II - Soteriology/ Doctrine of Salvation.
1P03 Patristic Salvation 1-Pre-Nicene OT to NT CH101 2022
1P04 Patristic Salvation 2-Pre-Nicene 2-3 Cent CH101 2022
1P05 Patristic Salvation 3 Post-Nicene 4 Cent CH101 2022
Reading the Martyrdom of Polycarp
Topic 2/ Session 3 Tutorial
Introduction: Topic 2.3
Preparation for Session 3
Patristic Christianity III
1P06 Early Christian Life _ Martyrdom 2022
1PO6 Early Christian Life_Martyrdom
1P07 Christian Monasticism CH101 2022
1P08 Augustine _ His Legacy CH101 2022
Supplementary Reading: Epistle to Diogentus
Supplementary Content: The Rest is History
Introduction: Topic 3
Preparation for Sessions 5-6
Byzantine Christianity I: The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent
Origins of Byzantium to Ecclesiastical Reforms in the 7th Century
The Rise & Impact of Islam
Byzantine Christianity II: Iconoclastic Controversy & Flourish & Decline of Byzantium
BC01 Byzantine Christianity 1-Origins _ Developmts to 7C-Reforms CH101 2022
BC02 Byzantine Christianity 2-Rise of Islam CH101 2022
BC03 Byzantine Christianity 3-Icons CH101 2022
BC04 Byzantine Christianity 4 CH101 2022
Article: Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Reflection 2)
Reading : against those who Attack the holy images - John Damacuscus
Session 5: Byzantine Christianity
Supplementary Video Resources
Tutorial 4 - Byzantine Christianity
Introduction: Topic 4 - Asian Christianities (Coptic and Persian)
Preparation for Sessions 7-8
Reading Tom Holland's Dominion
Christianities in Asia I
Christianities in Asia II
Christianities in Asia Lectures 1-4 Slides
Article: Prologue to the Rule of Benedict (Reflection 3)
Reading: Chinese Nestorian Texts-Jesu the Messiah
Supplementary Readings on Chinese Nestorians
Supplementary Video Resources
Asian Christianities Session
Introduction to Topic 5.1
Preparation for Session 9-10
Supplementary Resources: The Rest is History
Medieval Christianity in the West 5.1-5.4
Medieval Christianity in the West 5.5-5.7
Medieval Christianity in the West Slides 5.1-5.7
Articles: Readings on Benedictine Spirituality in Business (Reflection 4)
Readings for Crusades Presentation
Medieval West Session A
Course Evaluation Form
Introduction: Topic 5.2
Preparation for Sessions 11-12
Medieval Christianity in the West III (5.8-5.12)
Article: On Humility and Pride - Bernard of Clairvaux (Reflection 4)
Readings for Anti-semitism Presentation
Medieval West II Lecture Slides 5.8-12
Supplementary Video Resources
Session 7 Part 1 Medieval West 5B
Session 7 Part 2 Medieval West 5B
Course Evaluation
How to Upload Assignment
Submission on IMS
Introduction to Writing Assignments
How to Format an Academic Paper
How to Write an Academic Paper