• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

• 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

• 386 Augustine Converts to ChristianityRead Now

  A brilliant, profligate professor of rhetoric became the church’s leading theologian for centuries to come.

• 405 Jerome Completes the VulgateRead Now

  This Latin translation stood as the preeminent Bible text for centuries—and set the standard for future translators.

• 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.

• 540 Benedict Writes His Monastic RuleRead Now

  Bennett D. HillHis flexible, compassionate guidelines for Christian community forever shaped monastic life—and influenced Western society.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Learn More About...the History of the ChurchRead Now

  the EditorsSome useful and accessible reading.

• Important Events in Church History: Christian History TimelineRead Now

  the EditorsA timeline of important events in (mostly western) church history.

• 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.

• 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.

• 1521 The Diet of WormsRead Now

  Eric W. GritschWas the wayward Luther free to dissent? A German council rendered a judgment.

• 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.

• 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.”

• 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.

1545 The Council of Trent BeginsRead Now

Responding to the Reformation, the council charted the Catholic church’s course for the next 400 years.

1611 Publication of the King James BibleRead Now

A team of scholars produced an English Bible translation unsurpassed in linguistic beauty and longevity.

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.

1740 The Great Awakening PeaksRead Now

Mark A. NollA mighty wave of revival washed across North America, forever altering the religious landscape.

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.

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”