In a groundbreaking new series titled Kingdoms of the Cross: Monarchs, Magistrates, and the Making of Christian Millennia, a captivating journey through time unfolds, chronicling the indelible marks left by monarchs and magistrates on the annals of Christian history. This series delves into the lives and legacies of ten emblematic figures, unveiling how their reigns and rulings molded Christian doctrine, practice, and the Church’s socio-political landscape.
The series spotlights:
- Constantine (AD 306-337) – whose Edict of Milan granted religious tolerance to Christians, laying foundations for the faith’s growth.
- Emperor Theodosius I (AD 379-395) – who solidified Christianity as the Roman Empire’s state religion, catalyzing its widespread adoption.
- Justinian I (AD 527-565) – under whose reign Roman law was codified with Christian doctrine, harmonizing the empire’s legal and religious frameworks.
- Charlemagne (AD 768-814) – whose endorsement of Christian education and culture fortified the faith’s influence across Europe.
- King Louis IX of France (1226-1270) – a canonized monarch whose piety and leadership during the Seventh Crusade echoed through Christendom.
- Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) – whose reign saw the completion of the Reconquista and the patronage of voyages spreading Christianity to the Americas.
- Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) – the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose works like the Book of Common Prayer became pillars of Anglicanism that have affected Western Christianity to this day.
- Elizabeth I (1558-1603) – whose Elizabethan Religious Settlement navigated religious discord, crafting a unique Anglican identity.
- King James I of England (1603-1625) – whose commissioning of the King James Bible enriched Christian theology and liturgy.
- William Wilberforce (1759-1833) – a parliamentarian whose Christian convictions fueled his successful campaign against the transatlantic slave trade.
The narrative arc of Kingdoms of the Cross transports the audience through various epochs, from the early days of Christianity, where emperors and kings played pivotal roles in legitimizing and protecting the faith, to later centuries, where monarchs and magistrates enacted laws and influenced policies that significantly shaped Christian society and global outreach.
This series is more than a historical expedition; it’s an invitation to explore the intersection of faith and governance, and to understand the complex interplay of secular authority and religious tradition. The meticulous exploration of these ten figures’ lives and legacies fosters a profound understanding of how political and judicial decisions, under the banner of the cross, have sculpted Christianity’s enduring narrative.
Embark on a riveting exploration of Christian history through the lens of monarchy and magistracy with Kingdoms of the Cross, and discover how the secular realm has intricately woven itself into the sacred tapestry of Christian tradition and practice over millennia.
This series begins on October 28 and will be taught at 9:45 AM at Taos First Baptist Church, “America’s Greatest Tiny Church.” We invite you to join us in person or online, live or archived. All of our services and series are broadcast and archived at Worshify.com.