In many ways, the twentieth century contains the best and worst of human history. This period witnessed the rise and fall of empires, as well as the explosive growth of the church through world missions. In this series, respected church historian W. Robert Godfrey evaluates the church's development in the modern world, even amidst the threat of wars, revolutions, and controversies.
The twentieth century witnessed many advances, but it was also the bloodiest century in history. In the first part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey introduces opportunities and problems the church faced during this period.
As empires spread in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, so did missionary activity. In the second part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey reflects on several effects that helped and harmed the cause of missions.
Throughout the nineteenth century, Protestants stood united as evangelicals. But as this term began to lose its meaning, a new name was needed. In the third part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey examines the shift in American evangelicalism seen in the battle between modernists and fundamentalists.
The early twentieth century saw a growing skepticism of the Bible among theologians. In the fourth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey introduces us to one man who stood against the tide of unbelief.
During the 1920s, the debate over creation and evolution effectively split the church in the United States. In the fifth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey looks at the Scopes Trial of 1925 and the rift that resulted.
The life and ministry of Aimee Semple McPherson foreshadowed what the newborn Pentecostal movement would become. In the sixth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey discusses the most famous woman in America during the 1920s.
Despite its humble beginnings, the Pentecostal movement has a wide and growing influence in the world. In the seventh part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey outlines the rise of the movement and considers what makes Pentecostalism so appealing to so many today.
The evangelical movement seemed to be experiencing success and growth in the twentieth century. But under the surface, trouble was brewing. In the eighth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey explains how doctrinal error crept into the church.
The Roman Catholic Church changed significantly throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. In the ninth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey examines the extent of these changes and considers the current relationship between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
In an age marked by the revitalization of Islam, many Christians are concerned. In the tenth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey sketches the development of Islam and underscores the importance for Christians to maintain a credible witness.
The word "evangelical" has become an umbrella term used to gather bunches of conservative Christians together. But are we together? In the eleventh part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey looks at the modern evangelical movement and points out some of its dangers.
The church today needs exactly what it has always needed: the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. In the twelfth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey concludes his survey of church history to highlight what problems the church still needs to address and where we can turn to find solutions.