Ancient Christianity

Name: Ancient Christianity
Brand: Hillsdale College Online Courseshttps://online.hillsdale.edu/

by Hillsdale College Online Courseshttps://online.hillsdale.edu/

Religious_studiesGrade 9

About This Curriculum

A free online course exploring the history of Christianity from its origins through the collapse of the Roman Empire, examining how the Gospel spread throughout the ancient world and how early Christians practiced their faith.

What makes it unique: Free, high-quality course taught by Hillsdale College faculty with heavily illustrated video lectures, primary source readings, and study guides covering the first 400 years of Christianity.

Ancient Christianity: Historical Survey of Early Christian Development

Ancient Christianity is a free 11-lesson online course from Hillsdale College that examines the history of Christianity from its origins through the fall of the Roman Empire. The curriculum presents early Christian history through video lectures by historian Dr. Kenneth Calvert, supplemented with primary source readings and study guides.

Best for

Independent high school students studying church history or world history, particularly those in families aligned with classical Christian education and Catholic/Anglican/Orthodox theological perspectives

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 2 neutral

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum uses direct instruction through video lectures by a historian, with structured content delivery and guided questions. Each lesson follows a clear instructional format.

11 lessons taught through illustrated video lectures (21-43 minutes each), with study guides that outline lectures and include discussion questions

Historical ContextStrength

Historical context is a primary strength, with extensive background on Jewish exile, Hellenization, Roman rule, and the cultural foundations that enabled Christianity's spread. The curriculum situates Christian development within broader historical movements.

Lessons systematically cover Judaism, Greek culture, Pax Romana as foundations; Jewish exile and Hellenization; Roman persecutions; Constantine and Nicaea; fall of Roman Empire

Theological KnowledgeStrength

The course builds systematic knowledge of early Christian theology, including apostolic succession, creeds, and key doctrinal developments. The content reflects Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox theological perspectives more than Protestant views.

Lessons cover apostolic succession, apostolic authority, creeds and scripture, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the ever-virginity of Mary

Primary Text EngagementStrength

The curriculum includes primary source documents as supplemental readings for most lessons. Students engage with original historical texts rather than relying solely on secondary summaries.

Most lessons include PDFs of primary source documents, such as materials on Nero's persecution of Christians for Lesson 3

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum provides study guides with discussion questions but limited pedagogical guidance for teachers or parents facilitating the course.

Four-page downloadable study guides outline lectures and present discussion questions, with suggestion that parents follow along to discuss with teens

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes key biblical passages and theological concepts in study guides, though explicit vocabulary instruction methods are not detailed in the reviews.

Study guides outline lectures and repeat key biblical passages, suggesting vocabulary is addressed but specific teaching methods not described

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, ahomeschoolexperiment.com