Epic: A Journey Through Church History, Study Set

by Steve Weidenkopf, Alan Schreck

This Study Set is intended for use with the Epic video DVDs and audio CDs. It includes everything a participant needs to complete the 20-part study. This Set Epic Workbook (220 pages) Epic Timeline Chart Epic Timeline Bookmark This Set Epic Workbook (220 pages) Epic Timeline Chart Epic Timeline Bookmark The Workbook (220 pages) guides participants through their study of Church History with thought-provoking questions and responses, detailed maps, charts, historical studies, biographies, and much more. Each lesson is designed to be followed by the corresponding talk from the DVD or CD series. With The Epic Timeline Chart Church history is systematically divided into 12 color-coded time periods to aid in remembering and applying what you ve learned. This chart is indispensable for any student of Church History. You will see before your eyes an historically accurate representation of the last 2,000 years including the popes, major saints and martyrs, councils, world powers, and more! The Epic Bookmark is a condensed version of the color-coded Epic Timeline Chart.

Genres: History, Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction

220 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2008

About the author

Steve Weidenkopf is a Lecturer in Church History at the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology in Alexandria, Virginia. He has given numerous presentations and seminars on Church History, marriage and family life, human sexuality, and theology throughout the U.S. and Canada.

He served as the Director of the Office of Marriage & Family Life for the
Archdiocese of Denver (2001 - 2004) and as an advisor to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and was an instructor at the Our Lady of the New Advent Catechetical Institute.

Steve is a member of the Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East - an international academic group dedicated to the field of crusading history and is also a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with these comprehensive histories, my major complaint is the lack of depth, but then given the broad scope of the study, how could it be otherwise? I reviewed Epic in anticipation of showing/using it as a Church History course for my parish this coming year. For that purpose and given the audience, I am thoroughly satisfied it will meet the needs of those who attend the class.

It is a good solid Catholic Church History course, presenting the story in twenty sessions based on twelve color-coded time periods designed to correspond to easy to remember major ideas or events from a particular era. For example, the first time period is gold and called the “Mustard Seed” because this is when the church was tiny like the ‘mustard seed’ in Christ’s Gospel story.

The study set includes DVDs (or CDs depending on which option you purchase) a study book, timeline chart and bookmark. It is written to help Catholics understand their own history. It’s only an introduction and it is hoped that any student of this course will not stop here, but will use this as the first step to go on to other studies. In addition to history, it also includes theological explanations which were often very helpful. It also included much information which clarifies actions of the Catholic Church, her popes, councils, etc., information which is either unknown or omitted from most other church histories. It is always good to read and read and read!


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A preliminary observation: Appreciated the description of Luther, the Protestant Revolution and the Galileo dispute. Although this series is obviously written by a Catholic for a Catholic audience, it freely admits and even explains the criticisms leveled against the Church, describes problems and controversies and offers explanations, including theological rebuttals something which is nearly always missing from every other history of the church.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book and video presentation in a classroom setting, once a week for 20 weeks. An excellent overview of the history of the Church, from Pentecost through present day, including the Divine and the human - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Includes the period of persecution, the crusades, the weak leaders and schism, the Protestant Revolution, the Catholic Reformation. The appendices in the back are great -- succinct lists of Christian persecutions in the Roman empire, all the major heresies and schisms, the Ecumenical Councils, a chronology of the crusades, a chronology of the major protestant groups, an outline on the Great Western Schism, and a summary of the 16 documents of the 2nd Vatican Council. From the great leaders and martyrs to the weak leaders and big sinners, the Holy Spirit preserved the Church as promised. Amazing!

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study. You must have the video to go along with it. There is A Lot of material but it covers 2000 years! It is very interesting and informative. The history of the church helps explain what is going on in our world right now. The answer to what to do is clear. It’s just not that easy and requires some humility. It can’t be accomplished overnight or without Divine Intervention. I will probably watch the videos one more time. 20 sessions of an hour each.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this on audio and loving it!