Chronicles of Faith: Tracing the New Testament Across Centuries
This course is part of our live online homeschool classes for grades 5–12.
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This course offers an overview of the history of Christianity from its beginnings in the New Testament era through the present day. The focus is on historical events, major figures, movements, and cultural contexts rather than on debating theological differences. While we will gently discuss the growth and branching of the Church over time, including different traditions and denominations, this class does not condemn any particular expression of Christianity. Instead, students are encouraged to understand why these differences arose and how Christians have lived out their faith in a wide variety of times and places.
The main goal of the course is to give students a broader appreciation for their Christian heritage, to see themselves as part of a long and living story of faith, and to understand how the Church has helped shape the world they live in today.
Please view prerequisites and required supplies below.
Chronological and Background Charts of Church History (Zondervan Books) Kindle or Paperback – Illustrated, September 27, 2005
Author: Robert Walton
ISBN-10: 0310258138
ISBN-13: 978-0310258131
it is strongly suggested each student have a physical copy of a Bible, however, there are free versions online that are acceptable (biblegateway.com, etc.). Because of the likelihood of students coming from a diversity of denominational (or non-denominational) backgrounds I do not require a specific version of the bible. Some acceptable versions are KJV, NKJV, NIV, NRSV, RSV, ESV.
Kenneth Bracker is a homeschool graduate having been part of the original first wave of homeschooling pioneered by Raymond and Dorothy Moore in the 1970’s. By age eighteen Kenneth had worked on more than two dozen political campaigns as a full time campaign manager, spent two years working as an intern at the local cable station, and spent four straight summers volunteering at nursing homes and Alzheimer wards. Homeschooling for him involved real life application of the biblical values his parents instilled within him.
Kenneth obtained his B.S. in Psychology from Baker College with a focus in Chemical Substance Abuse, and then his Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. For the better part of a decade he was either leading bible studies at the local county jail, or working as a counselor at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center where he led weekly group counseling sessions as well as one-on-one counseling for the men who lived at the 9-month program facility.
Kenneth is a small business owner, and currently works for Saint Andrew’s Theological College and Seminary overseeing their media and web development and is a manuscript editor for books and publications for Saint Andrew’s and the Orthodox Anglican Church.
Reared in the Great Books philosophy of education, Kenneth is an avid reader and having completed the Western Canon of literature decades ago, spends his free time studying theology and church history, as well as playing golf daily with his youngest son who is homeschooled and enrolled in Excelsior Classes.
Student S. –
Mr. Bracker is the best teacher I have had. This is the second class I have taken with Mr. B (first was Journey through the bible, also great) I have learned a lot about the early church, from the first home churches to the reformation.
Student N. –
This class is an excellent class to take to give an overview of Church History from the early church fathers to modern day Christianity and how they were influenced by various outside pressures such as persecution, art, literature, politics, and wars, etc. I highly recommend this class and believe all Christians should take a Church History class to understand how Christianity has evolved overtime.
Student I. –
I am a student here in excelsior and Mr Bracker is by far on of my favorite teachers. I have loved every class I have done with hime and this is no exemption. the class does not overwhelm you with homework and all the lessons are very fun. I would recommend this class to everyone.