Long before the year 1500, global Christianity stretched from Iceland and Ireland to Mongolia and south to Ethiopia. Across this vast area, people of faith confronted dramatically differing and constantly changing circumstances. They made decisions about culture, political power, the spiritual life, the canon of Scripture, and doctrine, decisions that shaped the flow of human history, and they experienced both success and loss on the grand scale. The narrative of the course and the reading from materials they wrote carries students into the dynamism of early Christian life.

The excitement and the trauma of the reformation period in Europe extended over two hundred years. Events changed the face of the continent. However, as the period came to an end, Christians emerged with another focus, and it was once again global. Migrations and missions saw them establish their faith around the world. However, intercontinental conditions, coupled with emerging attitudes in Europe and the Americas, stimulated surprising changes. By the middle of the 20th century, the centre of Christian life was shifting from the northern hemisphere to the south. Tracks with these developments and the thought underlying them. Writings from the participants lead students into the fervor of the times.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

Explores the diverse ways Christians have responded throughout history to Christ’s call to take up their cross and follow him, focusing on those who have suffered and died for their Lord, literally or figuratively. Students will examine the history of Christian persecutions, martyrdoms, asceticism, monasticism, missions, pilgrimage, and wars as models of imitating Christ’s sacrificial act. Examples from diverse historical contexts and ecclesiastical traditions will be considered. Prerequisite: HIST 0561.

Soon after its appearance in the seventh century, Islam became an integral part of the ancient world in which Christianity had taken root in previous centuries, resulting in moments of conflict and coexistence in Christian-Muslim encounters. This course will explore some of the religious, political, social, and intellectual encounters between the two religions from late antiquity to the early age of modernity in order to understand their historical background and present implications. Significant points of encounters will provide insights in the dynamic relations between Christians and Muslims. Prerequisite: HIST 0561.

The Patristic era (2nd-7th centuries) was a monumental period in defining and shaping Christianity theologically and ecclesiastically. This course will survey this period through examining key Christian men and women, who represent crucial historical events and themes, produced rich literary heritage, played defining roles in church affairs, and impacted Christianity in major ways in late antiquity. The selective examples will be considered from different historical contexts and ecclesiastical traditions. Prerequisite: HIST 0561.

Investigates issues including, but not limited to, Indigenous Christianity, secularization, immigration, Christendom, pluralism, and denominationalism from a specifically Canadian cultural and historical lens. There are aspects of following Jesus unique to Canada, for both Canadian-born and immigrants to Canada. This course will help correct some national myths and offer greater insight for anyone who seeks to minister faithfully and effectively in Canadian contexts.

Takes a global perspective to trace the development of evangelicalism from the 1700s to the present day. Evangelicalism will be compared and contrasted to other forms of Protestantism before it, other Christian movements that have grown with it, separated from it, or been influenced by it. While global in scope, the course will conclude with an examination of some of the controversial roles evangelicalism has played in recent politics and culture, notably in North America.

Examination of specific topics in Christian history.

Tyndale sponsors course tours to various places at which events of historical interest and significance occurred. Examples include Germany, Switzerland, Rome and the United Kingdom.

A survey of the history of Christianity from the earliest days of the church through the first phase of the Reformation. It examines the main currents of spirituality, theology, missions, worship, organization, and the church’s relationship with the society of each particular era. The student is exposed to some of the most formative periods in the story of the church through the reading of a variety of classic Christian writings. This interaction with the past is designed to help the student understand the breadth and richness of their faith, and be more aware of the struggles their forebears have faced, with success and loss that shaped the movement of human history. Offered in Mandarin.

A survey of the history of Christianity from the time of the Reformation through the 20th century. It explores the main currents in spirituality, theology, missions, worship, organization, and their interaction with society. Through the reading of primary documents from different traditions, students are challenged to broaden their understanding of the Christian faith. The experiences of the church facing the cultural changes of the past centuries will help the student wrestle with the issues of our postmodern society. Recommended prerequisite: HIST CM12. Offered in Mandarin.

The history of Christianity up until close to the present time will be examined. This course will look at traditional historical accounts critically in order to look beyond a perspective that marries the church and its outreach with colonial expansion. The place, treatment and mistreatment of peoples – including Indigenous peoples – will be examined in detail.

Continuing on from History of Christianity I, this course will examine ways in which the Indigenous church has been planted and has grown within Indigenous contexts. Special emphasis will be given to its growth and development through the various attempts in its history to contextualize or indigenize Christianity.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

See the Thesis Handbook for details.