When did Jesus' followers, called "Believers" in the New Testament books, start calling themselves "Christians?

It was Greek-Speaking pagans in Antioch, Syria who created the epithet "Christian" to apply to those who preached about the "Anointed," (Christos in Greek). After that, a non-believer in Jesus used the word "Christian" when Paul gave him his testimony and how he persecuted the Believers who belonged to "The Way."

From what I know about the history of Christianity and my experience as a graduate theology student, "Orthodox Christianity" did not begin until the Byzantine Emperor Constantine decided to organize the churches in his empire and make them, as a group, a political organization. Constantine presided over the 1st of the Seven Church Councils at Nicea (now a part of modern Turkey). It was his idea for his church council of so-called "early church fathers" to create a creed. That's where the Nicene Creed originated.

YES! Christians should definitely look to the historical record as they try to interpret and apply the Bible to their lives.

I have experienced the kind of 'prejudice' described by the author; the attitude that, 'we are better than them' (in the past). We are taught in schools that early Americans were narrow-minded bigots. The reality is that the founding fathers even up to the civil war era were probably the most well-read, intelligent and literate generations ever. They especially knew Scripture well, and they knew history well; President Garfield, an ordained minister, could write Greek and Latin -- at the same time with 2 hands! We by comparison are spoiled children.

I really agree! My faith has been deepened so much as I have studied church and biblical history and the early church fathers, and it forces me to reconsider what I think and believe as I grow in faith. I think of it as 'reformed, always reforming' on a personal basis, but we all need to be doing it to stay true to Christ.