Apostasy from the Divine Church

Professor Barker's study led him to the formulation of a definite philosophy of Christian history, which found expression in what is commonly spoken of as "The Falling Away" from the Church of Jesus Christ, or the "Apostasy." He held to the concept that the Church of Jesus Christ, which flourished in the first century, gradually passed from existence. A five-fold change resulted in historic Christianity during the centuries. These are to be found in the governmental system of the churches, in doctrine, in religious living, in attitudes toward salvation, and in the churches seeking and gaining political authority. In his writings, Professor Barker traces the steps by which these various transitions were effected, and seeks for and explains the thought-processes which caused them. He presents a well-documented account of Christian history from the first to the sixteenth centuries, emphasizing the departures that took place. By the time he completes his account of the Reformation, his evidence indicates that it was useless to assume that human beings could re-establish the true Church of Christ on earth. There was but one solution to this dilemma - the Church of Jesus Christ must be restored by revelation.