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Timeline of Christianity

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This article is about the timeline of Christianity beginning with Jesus. For the timeline of the Bible, see Biblical chronology. For the history of Christianity, see History of Christianity. For the timeline of the Roman Catholic Church, see Timeline of the Roman Catholic Church.
See also: Chronology of Jesus
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The purpose of this timeline is to give a detailed account of Christianity from the beginning of the current era (AD) to the present. Question marks ('?') on dates indicate approximate dates.

The year one is the first year in the Christian calendar (there is no year zero), which is the calendar presently used (in unison with the Gregorian calendar) almost everywhere in the world. Traditionally, this was held to be the year Jesus was born; however, most modern scholars argue for an earlier or later date, the most agreed upon being between 6 BC and 4 BC.

Jesus begins his ministry after his baptism by John and during the rule of Pilate, preaching: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 4:12–17). While the historicity of the gospel accounts is questioned to some extent by some critical scholars and non-Christians, the traditional view states the following chronology for his ministry: Temptation, Sermon on the Mount, Appointment of the Twelve, Miracles, Temple Money Changers, Last Supper, Arrest, Trial, Passion, Crucifixion on Nisan 14th (John 19:14, Mark 14:2, Gospel of Peter) or Nisan 15th (Synoptic Gospels), entombment by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, Resurrection by God and Resurrection appearances of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and other women (Mark 16:9, John 20:10–18), Simon Peter (Luke 24:34), and others, (1Cor.15:3–9), Great Commission, Ascension, Second Coming Prophecy to fulfill the rest of Messianic prophecy such as the Resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, and establishment of the Kingdom of God and the Messianic Age.

Apostolic Age

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Main article: Apostolic Age

Shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Nisan 14 or 15), the Jerusalem church is founded as the first Christian church with about 120 Jews and Jewish Proselytes (Acts 1:15), followed by Pentecost (Sivan 6), the Ananias and Sapphira incident, Pharisee Gamaliel's defense of the Apostles (5:34–39), the stoning of Saint Stephen (see also Persecution of Christians) and the subsequent dispersion of the Apostles (7:54–8:8, also Mark 16:20) which leads to the baptism of Simon Magus in Samaria (8:9–24), and also an Ethiopian eunuch (8:26–40). Paul's "Road to Damascus" conversion to "Apostle to the Gentiles" is first recorded in 9:13–16, cf. Gal 1:11–24. Peter baptizes the Roman Centurion Cornelius, who is traditionally considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity (10). The Antioch church is founded, where the term Christian was first used (11:26).

The following table is edited to be more readable
Year Date History Image
37–41 Crisis under Caligula, proposed as the first open break between Rome and the Jews[5]
Before 44 Epistle of James is written by James the Great, originally in Koine Greek.
Memorial to Lajos Fülep quoting James 3:17, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
44? Death of Saint James the Great - According to a medieval tradition, on 2th of January of the year 40 AD, the Virgin Mary appeared to James on a pillar on the bank of the Ebro River at Caesaraugusta, while he was preaching the Gospel in Spain. Following that vision, St. James returned to Judea, where he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I in the year 44 AD during a Passover. Herod then proceeded to arrest St. Peter (Nisan 15) (Acts 12:1–3).
St. James the Apostle (1612-1613)
44 The death of Herod Agrippa I(Last king of Judea) occurred when an angel of the Lord struck him down, resulting in him being eaten by worms and dying.(JA19.8.2, Acts 12:20–23)
King Herod II
44–46? Theudas was beheaded by Procurator Cuspius Fadus for saying he would part the Jordan River (like Moses with the Red Sea or Joshua with the Jordan). After him, Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and gathered followers; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.(JA20.5.1, Acts 5:36–37 places it before the Census of Quirinius)
45–49? Mission of Barnabas and Paul, (Acts 13:1–14:28) to Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (there they were called "gods ... in human form"), then return to Syrian Antioch: Map1
47 The Church of the East is created by Saint Thomas
48–100 Herod Agrippa II appointed King of the Jews by Claudius, seventh and last of the Herodians
49 "Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus,[6] he [Claudius] expelled them from Rome." (referenced in Acts 18:2)[7]
50 Passover riot in Jerusalem, 20,000–30,000 killed (JA20.5.3,JW2.12.1)
50? Council of Jerusalem and the "Apostolic Decree" of Acts 15:1–35, same as Galatians 2:1–10?, which is followed by the Incident at Antioch[8] at which Paul publicly accuses Peter of "Judaizing" (2:11–21); see also Circumcision controversy in early Christianity
50–53? Paul's 2nd mission (Acts 15:36–18:22), split with Barnabas, to Phrygia, Galatia, Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, "he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken", then return to Antioch; 1 Thessalonians, Galatians written? Map2. Lydia of Thyatira, a seller of purple, becomes the first European Christian convert[9] (Acts 16:11-15)
51–52 or 52–53 Proconsulship of Gallio according to an inscription, only fixed date in chronology of Paul[10]
52 November 21 St. Thomas the Apostle lands in India.[11][12][13] Establishes churches at Kodungalloor, Palayoor, Paraur, Kottakkav, Kokkamangalam, Nilakkal, Niranam and Kollam
53–57? Paul's 3rd mission, (Acts 18:23–22:30), to Galatia, Phrygia, Corinth, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, and Jerusalem where James the Just challenges him about rumor of teaching antinomianism (21:21); he addresses a crowd in their language (most likely Aramaic); Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians written? Map3
55? "Egyptian prophet" (allusion to Moses) and 30,000 unarmed Jews doing The Exodus reenactment massacred by Procurator Antonius Felix (JW2.13.5, JA20.8.6, Acts 21:38)
58? Paul arrested, accused of being a revolutionary, "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes", teaching resurrection of the dead, imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 23–26)
59? Paul shipwrecked on Malta, called a god (Acts 28:6)
60? Paul in Rome: greeted by many "brothers", three days later calls together the Jewish leaders, who had not received any word from Judea about him but were curious about "this sect" which everywhere is spoken against; he tries to convince them from the "law and prophets", with partial success – said the Gentiles would listen, and spends two years proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching "the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:15–31); Epistle to Philemon written?
60–64? early date for writing of 1 Peter (written by Peter)
before 62 Epistle of James if written by James the Just
62 James the Just stoned to death for law transgression by High Priest Ananus ben Artanus; popular opinion against act results in Ananus being deposed by new procurator Lucceius Albinus (JA20.9.1)
63–107? Simeon, 2nd Bishop of Jerusalem, crucified under Trajan
64–68 after July 18 Great Fire of Rome; Nero blames and persecutes the Christians (or Chrestians[14]), possibly the earliest mention of Christians by that name, in Rome; see also Tacitus on Jesus; Paul beheaded? (Col 1:24,Eph 3:13,2 Tim 4:6–8,1Clem 5:5-7), Peter crucified upside-down? (Jn 21:18,1 Pet 5:13,Tertullian's Prescription Against Heretics chapter XXXVI,Eusebius' Church History Book III chapter I), "...a vast multitude, were convicted, not so much of the crime of incendiarism as of hatred of the human race. And in their deaths they were made the subjects of sport; for they were wrapped in the hides of wild beasts and torn to pieces by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when day declined, were burned to serve for nocturnal lights." (Annals (Tacitus) XV.44)
64/67(?)–76/79(?) Pope Linus succeeds Peter as Episcopus Romanus (Bishop of Rome)
64 Epistle to the Hebrews written
65 Q document, a hypothetical Greek text thought by many critical scholars to have been used in writing of Matthew and Luke
66–73 First Jewish–Roman War: destruction of Herod's Temple and end of Judaism according to Supersessionism; Qumran community (site of Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947) destroyed
70(+/–10)? Gospel of Mark, written in Rome, by Peter's interpreter (1 Peter 5:13), original ending apparently lost, endings added c. 400, see Mark 16
70? Signs Gospel written, hypothetical Greek text used in Gospel of John to prove Jesus is the Messiah
70–100? Additional Pauline Epistles
70–200? Gospel of Thomas, Jewish Christian Gospels: Gospel of the Ebionites, Gospel of the Hebrews, Gospel of the Nazarenes
72 July 3 Martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle at Chinnamala, Mylapore, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
76/79(?)–88 Pope Anacletus: first Greek Pope, who succeeds Linus as Episcopus Romanus (Bishop of Rome)
80(+/-20) Didache written
80(+/-20)? Gospel of Matthew, based on Mark and Q, most popular in Early Christianity
80(+/-20)? Gospel of Luke, based on Mark and Q, also Acts of the Apostles by same author
80(+/-20)? Pastoral Epistles written (possible post-Pauline authorship)
88–101? Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome: wrote Letter of the Romans to the Corinthians (Apostolic Fathers)
90? Council of Jamnia of Judaism (disputed); Domitian applies the Fiscus Judaicus tax even to those who merely "lived like Jews"[15]
90(+/-10)? late date for writing of 1 Peter (associate of Peter as author)
94 Testimonium Flavianum, disputed section of Jewish Antiquities by Josephus in Aramaic, translated to Koine Greek
95(+/-30)? Gospel of John and Epistles of John
*95(+/-10)? Book of Revelation written, by John (son of Zebedee) and/or a disciple of his
96 Nerva modifies the Fiscus Judaicus, from then on, practising Jews pay the tax, Christians do not[16]
98–117? Ignatius, third Bishop of Antioch, fed to the lions in the Roman Colosseum, advocated the Bishop (Eph 6:1, Mag 2:1,6:1,7:1,13:2, Tr 3:1, Smy 8:1,9:1), rejected Sabbath on Saturday in favor of "The Lord's Day" (Sunday). (Mag 9.1), rejected Judaizing (Mag 10.3), first recorded use of the term catholic (Smy 8:2).
100(+/-30)? Epistle of Barnabas (Apostolic Fathers)
100(+/-25)? Epistle of James is written by an author other than James the Just or James the Great
100(+/-10)? Epistle of Jude written, probably by doubting relative of Jesus (Mark 6,3), rejected by some early Christians due to its reference to apocryphal Book of Enoch (v14)


Ante-Nicene period

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Main article: Christianity in the ante-Nicene period

First Seven Ecumenical Councils

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Main article: First seven ecumenical councils

Constantine called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 to unify Christology, also called the first great Christian council by Jerome, the first ecumenical, decreed the Original Nicene Creed, but rejected by Nontrinitarians such as Arius, Theonas, Secundus of Ptolemais, Eusebius of Nicomedia, and Theognis of Nicaea who were excommunicated, also addressed Easter controversy and passed 20 Canon laws such as Canon VII which granted special recognition to Jerusalem.

Middle Ages

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Main article: Christianity in the Middle Ages

Renaissance

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Main article: Medieval history of Christianity § Late Middle Ages (1300–1499)
See also: Renaissance

Reformation

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See also: Reformation

17th century

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See also: Age of Reason

18th century

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See also: Age of Enlightenment

19th century

[edit]
See also: Industrial Revolution

20th century

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Main article: Christianity in the 20th century

21st century

[edit]
Main article: Christianity in the 21st century

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ H. H. Ben-Sasson, A History of the Jewish People, Harvard University Press, 1976, ISBN 0-674-39731-2, page 246: "When Archelaus was deposed from the ethnarchy in 6 CE, Judea proper, Samaria and Idumea were converted into a Roman province under the name Iudaea."
  2. ^ John P. Meier's A Marginal Jew, v. 1, ch. 11; also H.H. Ben-Sasson, A History of the Jewish People, Harvard University Press, 1976, ISBN 0-674-39731-2, page 251: "But after the first agitation (which occurred in the wake of the first Roman census) had faded out, we no longer hear of bloodshed in Judea until the days of Pilate."
  3. ^ Suetonius, Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Tiberius 36;
    • Jewish Encyclopedia: Rome: Expelled Under Tiberius: "The Jewish deputation which petitioned for the deposition of the royal house of the Idumeans was joined by 8,000 Jewish residents of Rome. Several Romans adopted Jewish customs, and some, as the rhetor Cilicius of Kalakte, a friend of Dionysius of Halicarnassus, even embraced Judaism (Müller, "Fragmenta Historicorum Græcorum", iii. 331). The reign of Tiberius (until the removal of his minister Sejanus) was fraught with misfortune for the Jews. When the cult of Isis was driven out of Rome (19 CE.) the Jews also were expelled, because a Roman lady who inclined toward Judaism had been deceived by Jewish swindlers. The synagogues were closed, the vessels burned, and 4,000 Jewish youths were sent upon military service to Sardinia. After the death of Sejanus (31) the emperor allowed the Jews to return.";
    • Haim Hillel Ben-Sasson (and Abraham Malamat contributor) A History of the Jewish People, Harvard University Press, 1976, ISBN 978-0674397316, page 288 quote: "Explicit evidence of a systematic attempt to propagate the Jewish faith in the city of Rome is found as early as 139 BCE. With the increase of the Jewish population of Rome, the Jews intensified their efforts to make converts among the Romans. Although the activity of Jewish missionaries in Roman society caused Tiberius to expel them from that city in 19 CE, they soon returned, and Jewish religious propaganda was resumed and maintained even after the destruction of the Temple. Tacitus mentions it regretfully (Histories 5.5), and Juvenal, in his Fourteenth Satire (11. 96ff.), describes how Roman families 'degenerated' into Judaism: the fathers permitted themselves to adopt some of its customs and the sons became Jews in every respect." ... [last sentence of next paragraph:] "In addition, the Bible provided the apostles of Judaism with a literature unparalleled in any other religion."
  4. ^ G. J. Goldberg. "John the Baptist and Josephus". Retrieved 2006-08-16.
  5. ^ H.H. Ben-Sasson, A History of the Jewish People, Harvard University Press, 1976, ISBN 0-674-39731-2, The Crisis Under Gaius Caligula, pages 254-256: "The reign of Gaius Caligula (37-41) witnessed the first open break between the Jews and the Julio-Claudian empire. Until then — if one accepts Sejanus' heyday and the trouble caused by the census after Archelaus' banishment — there was usually an atmosphere of understanding between the Jews and the empire ... These relations deteriorated seriously during Caligula's reign, and, though after his death the peace was outwardly re-established, considerable bitterness remained on both sides. ... Caligula ordered that a golden statue of himself be set up in the Temple in Jerusalem. ... Only Caligula's death, at the hands of Roman conspirators (41), prevented the outbreak of a Jewish-Roman war that might well have spread to the entire East."
  6. ^ A. J. MAAS (2003). Origin of the Name of Jesus Christ. Retrieved January 23, 2006. Walter Bauer's et al. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 1979, under Christos notes: "as a personal name; the Gentiles must have understood Christos in this way to them it seemed very much like Chrestos [even in pronunciation ...], a name that is found in lit."
  7. ^ Suetonius, Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Claudius XXV.4; Jewish Encyclopedia: Rome: Expelled Under Tiberius: "... in 49–50, in consequence of dissensions among them regarding the advent of the Messiah, they were forbidden to hold religious services. The leaders in the controversy, and many others of the Jewish citizens, left the city."
  8. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: Judaizers see section titled: "THE INCIDENT AT ANTIOCH"
  9. ^ Cumming, John (1998). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Collgeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press. p. 24
  10. ^ Pauline Chronology: His Life and Missionary Work, from Catholic Resources by Felix Just, S.J.
  11. ^ "Thomas The Apostole". stthoma.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  12. ^ Staff Reporter (23 May 2013). "More studies needed at Pattanam". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  13. ^ "stthoma.com". Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  14. ^ In the earliest extant manuscript containing Annales 15:44, the second Medicean, the e in "Chrestianos", Chrestians, has been changed into an i; cf. Gerd Theißen, Annette Merz, Der historische Jesus: ein Lehrbuch, 2001, p. 89. The reading Christianos, Christians, is therefore doubtful.
  15. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia: Fiscus Iudaicus, Suetonius's Domitian XII: "Besides other taxes, that on the Jews [A tax of two drachmas a head, imposed by Titus in return for free permission to practice their religion; see Josephus, Bell. Jud. 7.6.6] was levied with the utmost rigor, and those were prosecuted who, without publicly acknowledging that faith, yet lived as Jews, as well as those who concealed their origin and did not pay the tribute levied upon their people [These may have been Christians, whom the Romans commonly assumed were Jews]. I recall being present in my youth when the person of a man ninety years old was examined before the procurator and a very crowded court, to see whether he was circumcised."
  16. ^ Wylen, Stephen M., The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction, Paulist Press (1995), ISBN 0-8091-3610-4, pp. 190–192.; Dunn, James D.G., Jews and Christians: The Parting of the Ways, A.D. 70 to 135, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing (1999), ISBN 0-8028-4498-7, Pp 33-34.; Boatwright, Mary Taliaferro & Gargola, Daniel J & Talbert, Richard John Alexander, The Romans: From Village to Empire, Oxford University Press (2004), ISBN 0-19-511875-8, p. 426.;
  17. ^ Neill, p. 28
  18. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia: Tarfon: "R. Ṭarfon was extremely bitter against those Jews who had been converted to the new faith; and he swore that he would burn every book of theirs which should fall into his hands (Shab. 116a), his feeling being so intense that he had no scruples against destroying the Gospels, although the name of God occurred frequently in them."
  19. ^ "ANTITHESIS". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  20. ^ a b c Barrett, p. 23
  21. ^ Neill, p. 30
  22. ^ Ingram, James. The Saxon chronicle with an English translation and notes, critical and explanatory, 1823, p. 10
  23. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Dionysius". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  24. ^ Glover, 20
  25. ^ Dickens, Mark. "Church of the East Timeline". www.oxuscom. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  26. ^ Herbermann, p. 385
  27. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Caius (3rd Century)". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  28. ^ "ANF05. Fathers of the Third Century: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian, Appendix". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  29. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Monarchians". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  30. ^ Latourette, 1941, vol. I, 145
  31. ^ Herbermann, p. 282
  32. ^ Neill, p. 31
  33. ^ Herbermann, p. 481
  34. ^ Richard McBrien The Church (New York: HarperOne, 2008) 390
  35. ^ Latourette, 1941, vol. I, p. 89
  36. ^ Walsh, Martin de Porres. The Ancient Black Christians, Julian Richardson Associates, 1969, p. 5
  37. ^ Barrett, p. 24
  38. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Lapsi". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  39. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pope St. Eusebius". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  40. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: The Synods of Arles". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  41. ^ "NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  42. ^ The Canon Debate, McDonald & Sanders editors, 2002, pages 414-415
  43. ^ Rapp, Stephen H. Jr (2007). "7 – Georgian Christianity". The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity. John Wiley & Sons. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-4443-3361-9. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  44. ^ "The Seventh Arian Confession". Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  45. ^ Theodosian Code XVI.1.2 Medieval Sourcebook: Banning of Other Religions by Paul Halsall, June 1997, Fordham University, retrieved September 25, 2006; Theodosian Code XVI.1.2; Catholic Encyclopedia: Theodosius I: "In February, 380, he and Gratian published the famous edict that all their subjects should profess the faith of the Bishops of Rome and Alexandria (Cod. Theod., XVI, I, 2; Sozomen, VII, 4)."
  46. ^ "Evagrius Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History (AD431-594), translated by E. Walford (1846). Introduction". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  47. ^ Paul Moses, "Mission Improbable: St. Francis and the Sultan" Commonweal 25 September 2009, 16.
  48. ^ "NOMBRE DE DIOS Mission in Spanish La Florida". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  49. ^ "What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you now understand and know, that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict ourselves to the true Philosophy, lead a Christian life (...)".
  50. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Evangelical Church". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  51. ^ "KOREA: FACING ANOTHER THREAT…". Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  52. ^ "Beauraing 1932". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  53. ^ "The Lady of All Nations – Family of Mary". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  54. ^ "Messages of Our Lady at Akita Japan". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  55. ^ APPROVED APPARITIONS: Our Lady of Kibeho This was an ominious foreshadowing of the Rwanda Genocide of 1994.
  56. ^ "Evangelicals and Catholics Together". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  57. ^ "Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Inc". Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  58. ^ Independent Online – South Africa, Virgin Mary 'appears over Egyptian church', August 31, 2000
  59. ^ Holy Lights in Assiut: Apparition in Assiut: Eyewitness Account, Upper Egypt March/April 2006
  60. ^ "Eyewitness: Baghdad church siege".

Sources

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  • World Almanac and Book of Facts
  • Academic American Encyclopedia (on Compuserve)
  • Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary
  • English Versions of the Bible by John Berchmans Dockery O.F.M.
  • Catholic Encyclopedia: Biblical Chronology
[edit]
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