Please excuse my lack of daily reports, but I am having a hard time keeping up for the classes this week on “Church History.” My days are starting very early and ending very late as I am trying to study, edit and update charts, and do all necessary to be prepared for each class. As the week has gone on, I think I am getting further and further behind in keeping up with the schedule demanded. But I am also invigorated every day by students wanting to listen and learn more about the pattern of God’s truth and the destructive results of apostasy.
Monday began with a half-day study as the students were traveling to get here, whether by plane or ferry boat. We started the classes at 1:00pm and went until about 4:30pm with only a sort break. We began by showing the New Testament pattern for the church in purpose, work and organization. We studied how the NT church dealt with problems by holding to that pattern and refusing any change in doctrine or practice that conflicted with the pattern of inspired teaching. We then noted how quickly apostasy began in the second and third centuries as men turn away from the pattern of truth and accepted human traditions and doctrines. That took us to the close of the day where we discussed the persecution brought on Christians of the first two centuries and its effect.
Wednesday, we took up where we left off with the apostasy that ultimately led to the development of the Roman Catholic Church. We overviewed the Councils of “bishops” from the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 to the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 787. As each council issued their edicts, the confusion, doctrinal error and sophistry had their mounting effect on the growing apostasy. We then turned to an examination of what life was like under the domination of Roman Catholicism.
The Catholic Church and its emissaries from the parish priest to the pope imposed an oppressive weight on the people from birth to death while they enriched themselves in lavish splendor. We then turned to the rise of Islam to note its origin as well as its fundamental teachings. That led to an investigation of the Crusades and the horrible costs paid for absolutely nothing gained in the end! We also noted the difference between the way both Islam and Catholicism tried to expand their power and control by carnal warfare versus the kingdom of Christ wherein He forbade such carnal actions.
Well, I think that catches you up on our weeklong studies on “Church History” to this point. I will leave it there, get back to studying, and continue these reports in coming days, the Lord willing. God bless!
