Peter Vethanayagamony: Exploring Church History

Among the many exciting courses being developed is “Church’s Witness: A Survey of Church History,” led by Professor Peter Vethanayagamony. In this Q&A, Professor Vethanayagamony shares insights into his course, its scope, and its potential impact on both lay leaders and the wider community. Known for his passion for church history and education, Vethanayagamony’s course will provide a deep dive into the evolution of Christianity over the past 2,000 years, offering students an opportunity to learn from the church’s triumphs and mistakes.

Can you tell us about the resource you are developing and what learners can expect?

The course is titled Church’s Witness: A Survey of Church History. It’s an overview of major developments in Christianity over the past 2,000 years. The course will guide students through significant historical, theological, and ethical shifts that have shaped the church as we know it today. We’ll explore how Christian worship, theology, leadership, and liturgical practices have evolved, as well as examine the church’s interactions with culture and other religions. Ultimately, the aim is for students to understand the heritage they’ve inherited and where their faith stands in today’s world.

Who is this course primarily designed for?

This course is primarily designed for TEEM students—those training to become ministers through alternative paths in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). However, it is accessible to lay ministers and other learners who want to deepen their understanding of church history without committing to a full seminary program. That being said, I think it could be beneficial to many people in the church who want to understand their faith’s history, especially those in leadership roles. There’s potential for adult education in congregations, but it would depend on how it’s adapted. Beyond the church, the lessons on the history of marginalization, for instance, could be valuable to people outside of theological circles, including politicians or social activists. 

You mentioned lessons from the church’s past. Could you elaborate on some of the significant lessons students will take away from the course?

The course will help students debunk several myths, such as recognizing and understanding that Christianity is a global religion, not merely a Western or Euro-American “white” religion. It will also highlight that Christianity in parts of Asia and Africa predates its presence in Europe and is not simply a remnant of European colonialism.

One key focus is learning from the church’s past mistakes. For instance, we examine the Crusades in the Middle Ages and the harm they caused to Christian-Muslim relations, as well as to the Eastern Christian communities. We also study colonialism’s impact on indigenous populations in the Americas. The course doesn’t shy away from these darker chapters in the church’s history. The goal is to encourage students to reflect on how we, as the church, can acknowledge and repent for past mistakes while working to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

There’s a famous quote by Maya Angelou that I often reference: “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” That’s the heart of what we’re trying to achieve in this course—educating ministers of the gospel to confront the mistakes of the past so that they can lead with awareness and sensitivity today.

That’s such a profound lesson. What excites you most about designing this course for Project Starling?

What excites me is the opportunity to reach beyond the traditional seminary classroom. This course offers people, whether they’re lay ministers or leaders in other capacities, the chance to engage with the church’s history in a meaningful way. It’s a privilege to provide training that equips leaders with a deeper understanding of their faith and history. Additionally, I’m excited about the potential reach of this course, although there are still unknowns about how far it might go and who will be able to access it.

You’ve touched on a few challenges. Could you elaborate on some of the difficulties you’ve encountered in developing this course?

One of the main challenges is the scope of the material. Church history is vast, and this course attempts to cover a lot of ground. We are tasked with giving students an overall picture of major developments, but deciding what to include and what to leave out is not easy. Also, this is a certificate-level course, and I’m still trying to adjust the content to match the audience’s level of understanding. Another challenge is that the mode of delivery is new for many of us. We’re still figuring out how to effectively deliver this content online and ensure that learning objectives are met.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the course?

Right now, it’s a work in progress. I think this course has the potential to make a meaningful impact on ministers, lay leaders, and others interested in learning about the church’s history. But as we continue developing it, there are still some challenges to work through, especially in terms of content scope and delivery method. Hopefully, as things progress, we’ll be able to refine the course and reach a broader audience.