Early Christianity
Overview
Christianity is a historical faith—our beliefs in Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection are based on historical events in a particular time and place that we can learn about.
The history of the early church is more than just something to study—it’s a spiritual resource for the life of every Christian. If you want to understand your spiritual ancestry, your wider church family and their impact on your life and community today, consider the early Christianity minor at Gordon College.
This program will help you to articulate your faith heritage and why it’s relevant to modern-day issues. You’ll delve deeply into church history while also benefiting from the personal, spiritual ramifications of what you’re learning. By examining the history and development of Christianity from the past, you’ll be better equipped to engage with the church and society of today.
Why study early Christianity at Gordon?
Students of early Christianity study under renowned scholars in small class sizes receiving personalized attention. At Gordon you’ll study history, theology and a relevant ancient language—Hebrew or Koine Greek—for two semesters so you can read ancient biblical and extrabiblical texts and understand the worldview of early Christians.
Gordon is close to rich historical resources that hold valuable artifacts from the world of early Christianity including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Harvard Art museums.
How can studying Biblical Studies help you be a difference-maker for Christ?
Christianity is a historical faith, and studying history can help you better understand the events your faith is grounded on. A Christian worldview also gives us a clearer understanding of who human beings are—created in the image of God, ensnared by sin, yet open to Christ’s redemption. Recognizing Christ’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, we study the past to better understand and love our neighbors today, exploring the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Asia, Africa, and Europe.
| Degree | Minor |
|---|---|
| Program Level | Undergraduate |
| School | School of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Program Format | In-Person |
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Courses
Early Christianity Courses
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Experiential Learning
Wrestle with questions outside of the classroom with opportunities like:
- Joining the Jerusalem-Athens Honors program
- Interning in the Vining Rare Books Collection of the Gordon College Archives
- Studying abroad in the Balkans, Orvieto, Italy, Oxford, England, The American College at Thessaloniki and more
Apply to Gordon
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Scholarships
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Faculty
Faculty
Nationally recognized, personally focused
Gordon faculty are committed Christians, exceptional scholars and catalysts for transformation—both in their fields and in the lives of the students they teach.
Careers
Life after Gordon
What careers can I pursue with Early Christianity?
Understanding the history and traditions of the church will help you engage as a thoughtful Christian. Many students go on to graduate work in history, theology, religious studies, philosophy and seminary, and pursue a variety of careers, including:
- Pastor
- Teacher
- Professor
- Counselor
- Children and youth minister
- Missionary
- Museum curator
- Archivist
- Worship leader
Ready to get started?
We're here to help! We believe you were made to thrive, and we’re here to give you the tools to do just that. Get in touch with our admissions team to guide you through the process.