THE HISTORY OF
CHRISTIANITY
100 Most Important Events in Church History
https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/edict-of-milan/
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70 Titus Destroys JerusalemRead Now
When the Roman general sacked the temple, the Jews were forced into a new era—and so were the Christians.
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313 The Edict of MilanRead Now
David F. WrightThe agreement shifted Christianity from being an illicit, persecuted sect to being a welcome—and soon dominant—religion of the Roman Empire.
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325 The First Council of NiceaRead Now
Bruce L. ShelleyAt stake in the church’s first general council was the simplest, yet most profound, question: Who is Jesus Christ?
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367 Athanasius Defines the New TestamentRead Now
Carsten Peter ThiedeHis letter is the earliest authoritative statement to fix the New Testament as we know it today
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386 Augustine Converts to ChristianityRead Now
A brilliant, profligate professor of rhetoric became the church’s leading theologian for centuries to come.
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405 Jerome Completes the VulgateRead Now
This Latin translation stood as the preeminent Bible text for centuries—and set the standard for future translators.
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461 The Council of ChalcedonRead Now
Tony LaneIf Jesus was truly God, how could he be truly human as well? Leo the Great helped guide a critical council to a clear answer.
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540 Benedict Writes His Monastic RuleRead Now
Bennett D. HillHis flexible, compassionate guidelines for Christian community forever shaped monastic life—and influenced Western society.
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988 Vladimir Adopts ChristianityRead Now
The pagan prince of Kievan Rus’ embraced a new faith, leading to the Christianization of the Ukrainian, Russian, and Byelorussian peoples.
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1054 The East-West SchismRead Now
George T. DennisLong-standing differences between Western and Eastern Christians finally caused a definitive break, and Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox still remain separate.
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1095 Pope Urban II Launches the First CrusadeRead Now
Waves of pilgrims and soldiers embarked for the Holy Land, beginning an era of exploration, conquest, defeat, and folly.
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1272 Thomas Aquinas Concludes His Word on Summa Theologiae.Read Now
The massive treatise set forth a theological system so influential it has been declared eternally valid.
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1378 The Great Papal SchismRead Now
Dr. Francis Oakley is president of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.When two popes, and later three popes, vied for supremacy, the medieval church entered a dramatic, forty-year crisis of authority.
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1456 Gutenberg Produces the First Printed BibleRead Now
Using his revolutionary invention—printing from movable type—he made the Scriptures potentially accessible to every person.
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Learn More About…the History of the ChurchRead Now
the EditorsSome useful and accessible reading.
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Important Events in Church History: Christian History TimelineRead Now
the EditorsA timeline of important events in (mostly western) church history.
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Important Events in Church History: A selective chronological listingRead Now
the EditorsA selective chronology of church history and world events, mostly from a western point of view.
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1517 Luther Posts the 95 ThesesRead Now
Eric W. GritschAn obscure monk invited debate on a pressing church issue—and touched off a history-shattering reform movement.
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1521 The Diet of WormsRead Now
Eric W. GritschWas the wayward Luther free to dissent? A German council rendered a judgment.
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1525 The Anabaptist Movement BeginsRead Now
Hated by Protestants and Catholics alike, these “radical reformers” wanted to not merely reform the church but restore it.
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1534 The Act of SupremacyRead Now
Breaking from Rome, the English Parliament declared King Henry VIII “the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England.”
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1536 John Calvin Publishes Institutes of the Christian Religion Read Now
Either adored or abhorred, the reformer and his teachings live on in his monumental work.
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1545 The Council of Trent BeginsRead Now
Responding to the Reformation, the council charted the Catholic church’s course for the next 400 years.
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1611 Publication of the King James BibleRead Now
A team of scholars produced an English Bible translation unsurpassed in linguistic beauty and longevity.
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1738 John & Charles Wesley Experience ConversionsRead Now
Roger J. GreenThey were ordained ministers and missionaries. Then their hearts were “strangely warmed,” and their changed lives gave rise to a worldwide movement.
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1740 The Great Awakening PeaksRead Now
Mark A. NollA mighty wave of revival washed across North America, forever altering the religious landscape.
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1962 The Second Vatican CouncilRead Now
Joseph A. KomonchakIn an epochal council, the Catholic Church undertook its most searching self-examination ever and renewed itself for a modern world.
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Seventy-Five Other Important Events in Church HistoryRead Now
the EditorsA brief listing of significant dates that also earn a place in the “Christian History 100”
THE EDICT OF MILAN
The Council of Nicea
Athanasius
St.Augustine