A Journey through Western Christianity: from Persecuted Faith to Global Religion (200 - 1650)

Yale follows Western Christianity from persecution and empire through monastic life, medieval devotion, reformations and missions. The chronological approach connects religious developments with institutions and changing societies. It suits learners who want a sustained historical account and are prepared to distinguish the experiences of particular communities from a single uniform story of Christianity.

What you will learn

• Trace major developments in Western Christian history.
• Examine monasticism, reform and missions.
• Connect religious change with historical context.

Who this suits

Beginners interested in Christianity, European history or the historical study of religion, rather than a devotional or professional ministry qualification.

Before you enroll

Approach the material as a situated interpretation of religious history, texts and practice. Distinguish a tradition’s internal account from an academic argument about it, compare evidence and recognize diversity within communities. Courses do not confer religious authority or represent every member of a faith tradition.

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Put it into practice

Choose a period of religious change and create a timeline of institutions, texts and political events. Explain one connection without assuming that chronology alone establishes causation.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

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