Early Christian History: Councils & Creeds Shaping Christian Thought – Dr. Jennifer Woodruff Tait

Are you interested in learning about the history of the Christian church?

Today, we’re honored to learn from Dr. Jennifer Woodruff Tait about her book “Christian History: In Seven Sentences,” which is published by InterVarsity Press.

Her latest book provides fantastic insights into key moments of Christian history; including thoughtful chapters on The Edict of Milan (313), The Nicene Creed (325), The Rule of Saint Benedict (530), Excommunication of Patriarch Kerularios (1054), Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses (1517), and much more.

In this podcast conversation, Dr. Tait shares insights on some of the key historic moments and creeds that shaped Christian thinking. She also talks about some of the key points that led to the spread of Christianity, despite persecution of the church.

Dr. Tait talks with us about the legalization of Christianity under Constantine with the Edict of Milan, early church views on baptism (and why some Christians waited to be baptized later in life), why the Nicene Creed was developed, why the eucharist was viewed by some as a form of cannibalism, the role of the monastic movement, and the testimony and martyrdom of Perpetua.

Jennifer Woodruff Tait (PhD, Duke University) is the managing editor of Christian History magazine, the author of The Poisoned Chalice: Eucharistic Grape Juice and Common-Sense Realism in Victorian Methodism, and a priest in the Episcopal Church. Follow her on GoodReads.

You can listen (or download) the complete podcast here:



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Here are some video clips from our conversation:

On Writing “Christian History: In Seven Sentences”
The Edict of Milan, Constantine & Legalization of Christianity
Persecution of the Early Church & Spread of Christianity
Early Church Views on Baptism
The Nicene Creed
The Eucharist & Cannibalism
The Monastic Movement
How Monasticism Spreads the Gospel
Perpetua’s Testimony & Martyrdom

You can catch the full video conversation with Dr. Jennifer Woodruff Tait here.