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LOOK BACKWARD: 2,000 Years in One ScrollWhat happens if you stop beginning Christian history with your present church and instead begin with Jesus Christ and the Apostles?
That is the experiment behind this timeline.
Start at the beginning. Follow Christianity forward. Watch beliefs, institutions, controversies and divisions appear in their actual historical order.
This is not a claim that every century was simple, peaceful or free from corruption.
It is an invitation to see the whole story.
The Timeline
AD 30--33 --- Jesus, Resurrection, Pentecost and the Apostolic Church
Christianity begins with Christ and the Apostles, not a denomination.
Begin with the Apostolic Church →
c. AD 107 --- Ignatius of Antioch
A bishop on his way to martyrdom writes about bishops, presbyters, deacons, Eucharistic unity and the "Catholic Church."
c. AD 150s --- Justin Martyr
Justin gives one of the earliest substantial descriptions of Christian Sunday worship.
What Did Christian Worship Look Like? →
c. AD 180 --- Irenaeus
Irenaeus argues against heresy by appealing to Apostolic tradition, succession and public churches.
How Did Irenaeus Identify True Christianity? →
AD 325 --- Council of Nicaea
Bishops gather to confront the Arian controversy and confess the Son's true divinity.
AD 431 --- Council of Ephesus
Christological controversy places the unity of Christ's person --- and the title Theotokos --- at the center.
AD 451 --- Council of Chalcedon
The Church articulates Christ as truly God and truly man, one person in two natures.
First Millennium
Christianity expands through East and West with bishops, liturgy, sacraments, councils, monasteries and missionary activity --- alongside controversies, political conflict and growing cultural distance.
Explore the First Millennium →
1054 and Beyond --- East and West
The conventional date 1054 marks a major episode in a separation that developed over centuries.
Why Did Catholic and Orthodox Christians Separate? →
1517 --- The Reformation Begins
Martin Luther's controversy becomes a catalyst in the Western Reformation.
1530s --- England Separates From Rome
Political and later theological changes reshape Christianity in England.
How Did England Become Anglican? →
1500s --- Reformed Christianity
The Swiss and Reformed movements develop distinct Protestant theological traditions.
Where Did Reformed Christianity Come From? →
Early 1600s --- Baptist Traditions
Identifiable Baptist congregations emerge from the English Separatist world.
Where Did Baptists Come From? →
1700s --- Methodism
John and Charles Wesley's revival movement grows within Anglican Christianity and eventually develops separate Methodist churches.
Where Did Methodism Come From? →
1800s --- Restoration and Holiness Movements
New movements seek to restore New Testament Christianity or pursue distinctive visions of holiness.
Why Did New Christian Movements Multiply? →
Early 1900s --- Pentecostalism
Modern Pentecostal movements emerge prominently from revival and Holiness contexts.
Where Did Pentecostalism Come From? →
1900s--Today --- Evangelical and Non-Denominational Christianity
Modern Evangelical networks and non-denominational congregations become major parts of the Christian landscape.
How Did Non-Denominational Christianity Develop? →
Now Reverse the Direction
You have followed Christianity forward.
Now return to your present church and walk backward.
At what point does your present tradition enter the timeline?
And then:
What Christian inheritance existed before it?