Learn the History of Christianity & the Church. Christian History Institute. Welcome to Christian History Institute’s study modules. Each era of church history is represented by thirteen modules, chosen and introduced by Stephen Tomkins (author of biographies about William Wilberforce and John Wesley, and a ), or by Dan Graves (author of and other books). The thirteen selections in each era are perfect for a thirteen-week quarter. To get to an era’s study modules, click on the links below, or else choose the era from the flyout at the left under “Study Modules.” • Index to the early church modules. The early church encompasses the first six hundred years of church history for the purpose of our modules.