Many consider the emergence of Christianity, like other religious sects, to be a small occurrence when compared to the whole of human history. One can gather from simple observation, however, that Christianity has had a greater impact than that. As discussed in earlier lessons, the Christian faith has influenced every area of life from morality to politics, from art to literature, from science to philosophy, etc. Even the dates of history are influenced by the Christian faith. Today, although many are Christian in name only, one-third of the world’s population call themselves Christian.If anyone understood that Christian History was more than a fragment of World History, it was Eusebius. He was bishop in Caesarea in Palestine and was one of the most educated Christians of the fourth century and one of the most important figures in the early church. Although his theology and opposition of orthodox Christians were suspect, his collection of work known as Church History was one of the greatest contributions made by any Christian in the early church. Historian Justo Gonzalez affirmed, “Without him, the early history of Christianity would be reduced by half” (130).
Although he was not the first Christian historian, his work was the first attempt to tell the story of the early church on a “grand, comprehensive scale” (17). The intent of his work was not simply to report the facts of early Christendom, but to demonstrate “that Christianity was the ultimate goal of human history” (132). According to Gonzalez, “(Church History) was no mere collection of data of antiquarian interest, but rather a further demonstration of the truth of Christianity, which is the culmination of human history” (133).
Gonzalez, Justo. The Story of Christianity. San Francisco: Harper Collins. 1984. 130-133
Smith, Michael. Eusebius. Eerdman's Handbook to the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing CO. 1977. 17
