Church History

Alexander the Great conquered

336 BCE

Alexander the Great conquered from Greece to Egypt (includ. Palenstine, the Jewish hub) and introduced Hellenism: combination of Greek cultures and other ancient cultures

Romans conquered the land

63 BCE

Took over the Maccabees where Jews had a brief period of independence and peace

Life of Jesus

Period: 4 BCE to 30

Jews expulsion from Rome by Emperor Claudius

51

-rumoured to occur because Jews were disorderly, particularly because of Christian proclamation
-caused distinction between Christians and Jews as Gentiles increased and Jews became more disorderly, leading rebellions against Rome

Persecution under Nero

Period: 54 to 67

-Nero was a reasonable ruler at first then rumoured to have gone mad
-A fire broke out damaging the majority of Rome, to avoid suspicion, Nero blamed it on the Christians and Jews who's location had not been burned
-strict edicts/laws to kill the "arsonist" quickly turned into a free for all in killing Christians

The destruction of Jerusalem

70

by the Romans. End of the Sadducees

Persecution under Domitian

Period: 81 to 96

-tyrant
-loved and respected Roman traditions and sought to restore them
-persecuted anyone who followed "Jewish practices"
-Christians also accused of atheism, and killed
-In Asia Minor, persecution resulted in the book of Revelation whose author was exiled on the island of Patmos

Writings of the Early Church

Period: 100 to 325

1. Apostolic Writings-inward organization
2. Apologists- Outward against persecutors
3. Polemical and Systematic (Teachers)-totality of Christian doctrine in response to heretical systems

Roman Persecutions of second century

Period: 100 to 190

-Relatively moderate and incidental (“don’t ask, don’t tell”)
-Trajan's policy set the norm
-don't seek out Christians
-Punish accused who wont recant -Domitian (95)
-Trajan and Pliny the Younger (111-115) Ignatius martyred
-Antoninus Pius (139-161) Polycarp martyred
-Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Justin martyred in 165

Ignatius of Antioch (Apostolic)

107

-martyr
-Wrote seven letters that inform knowledge on church history on his way to martyrdom
-"Bearer of God"
-he principal concern of his letters was to maintain unity in the
churches
"willing to face death with such courage because he will become a witness"

Pliny and Trajan

111

-Pliny the Younger asked Trajan for advice on the law for Christians
-Imperial policy throughout second century and part of the third that Christians are not to be sought out, but punished if they were brought before the authorities

Important Apologist

Period: 120 to 220

In Greek: To Diognetus by Quadratus(?); Aristides (c. 140); Justin Martyr (d. 165); Tatian; An Address to the Greeks; Athenagoras of Athens (c. 177); Theophilus of Antioch; Origen, Against Celsus In Latin: Octavius, Minucius Felix; Tertullian, Apology Purpose:
Met objections of Jews&Pagans
Spoke “outward,” often appealing to Emperor
Connected Christianity to popular philosophies
Further developed allegorical interpretation
Christian customs versus rumors
Christians as good Roman citizens

Irenaeus, the Pastor (Polemical&Systematic Teacher)

Period: 130 to 200

-Bishop of Lyons, France, wrote "Against Heresies" Principally addressed the error of Gnosticism.
-Writings contributed to the authority of the monarchial bishop and to reverence for church tradition as an authority in teaching
-God acts in history as a divine shepherd that leads creation to its final goal
-Focal point of history is the incarnation of Jesus for redemption and the union of the human&divine ex. Baptism and communion
-Divinization: God’s purpose is to make us more like the divine

Montanism (Heresy)

150

-Named after Montanus, a newly-converted pagan
priest, who teaches against organized Christianity Teachings:
-Age of Paraclete began with Montanus
-Imminent Second Coming of Christ (in Phrygia)
-Ascetic emphasis—strict purity in last days
-Opposed government & church structures
-Stressed revelations of Spirit above all else
-Spirit Moves Freely Among Christians, Who Speak
in Tongues and Prophesy(glossolalia)
c. Church Should Not Stifle Spirit with Dogmas,
Rules, and Leaders
-Tertullian convert

Christian Gnosticism (Heresy)

150

-Approximately middle of the 2nd century AD or later
-Anti-Jewish—God of Old Testament is evil creator god
-Many aeons or spheres to traverse through demi-urges (angelic spirits) of which
-Christ is one among many of these mediators
-Docetism, “to seem”—Christ only appeared to be human in order to be accepted by us
-Salvation—Christ came not to save the world through faith (pistis), but to save us from the world by secret, illuminating spiritual knowledge (gnosis)

Bishop Polycarp (Apostolic)

155

• letter to the church of Philippi "For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no evil. How could I curse my king who saved me?" -Refused to recant and curse Christ regardless of his old age

Mariconism (Heresy)

160

a. Spirit God Sent Jesus to Save Humanity from the
Jewish God of the Old Testament
b. Contrasts Jewish God’s Rigid Legalism
with the Christian God’s Love, Mercy, Forgiveness
d. Cannon: Rejects Old Testament, Created NT. Paul epistles & some of Luke (supported spiritual life)
e. Docetism: Jesus not born of Mary
f. Asceticism: the body is bad, avoid physical pleasures
g. Closely related to gnostic views Maricon died in 160

Tertullian, the Lawyer (Apologist/Polemicist)

Period: 160 to 225

-Born in Carthage, North Africa
-"founder" of Latin theology: wrote apologetic works in Latin&Greek.
-"Prescription against the Heretics": scriptures belong to the church; "Apology" to pagans; "Treatise On Baptism": info on early baptismal practices
-Christ against Culture: “the blood of the martyrs is seed” "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?"
-episcopal authority &apostolic succession.
-"Against Praxeas" was an early statement of trinitarian doctrine. --Became a Montanist around 200 A.D.

Persecution under Marcus Aurelius

Period: 161 to 180

-"Christians were the blame to the natural disasters, invasions, and wrath of the gods upon the empire"
-Justin martyred during his persecution

Justin Martyr (Apologist)

165

Taught in Rome Writings: First and Second Apologies (c. 150-60) written to Roman Emperor and Senate; Dialogue with Trypho (160) , a debate with a Jew Logos Theology
Logos as bridge to classical cultures
Christ = the underlying Reason (Logos) of all truths.
Logos common to Hebrew, Greek, Christian Martyred 165

Origen, the Scholar (Systematic Teacher)

Period: 185 to 254

-Philosophical school master in Alexandria, greatest scholar of era
-Hexapla, arranging several Hebrew and Greek versions in parallel columns
-Wrote commentaries on most of the Bible, expounding three levels of the text: literal, moral application to the soul, and spiritual/allegorical meaning
-On First Principles-systematic theology that has survived
-He wrote on the Christian life: "Exhortation to Martyrdom" & "On Prayer"
-Against Celsus only apologetical work
-Faith=ladder, rungs=education

Roman Persecutions of third century

Period: 190 to 305

• More severe and deliberate (Christians blamed for natural disasters) -Severus (193-211) restricted persecution to Egypt and North Africa -Maximinus (235-238) attacked Christian leaders only in certain areas

Empire-wide:
-Decius (249-251) enforced state religion for political stability
-Valerian (253-260) at first friendly to Christians, but changed attitude and martyred many leaders
-Diocletian (303-305) imprisoned clergy, destroyed places of worship and sacred books

Persecution under Septimius Severus

Period: 193 to 211

-strategy for religious harmony within territories to prevent civil wars
-Syncretistic Policy: enforce worship of Sol invictus
-202 Edict of Septimus Severus: outlawed under penalty of death conversions to Christianity and Judaism
-intense persecution of catechumens and teachers ex. Perpetua and Felicitas
-Relative abatement until 249

Novatian Schism

Period: 200 to 258

-Roman Clergy and anti pope
-Opposed restoration minded Pope Cornelius in 251
-no forgiveness for grave sins
Schism:
-excommunicated by Cornelius 251
-"anti-pope" and the church in Rome split in two and reconciled 75 years later in 325

Clement of Alexandria (Polemical & Systematic Teacher)

215

-Parents were pagan, but he was trained and taught in Alexandria, Egypt
- Allegorical exegesis: found sacred text ideas/doctrines that are Platonic-like
-Christianity in the Alexandrian School: meeting place for scholars/adventurers
-Neo-Platonist worldview: Christian doctrine supported by Plato’s philosophy
-Philosophy to Greeks, Law to Jews: purpose leads to ultimate truth, Jesus “Athens is Jerusalem”
-Doctrine of the Logos to call Christians to be open to the truth in philosophy Died in 215

Cyprian of Carthage

Period: 248 to 258

"The problem of the lapsed"
-Cyprian called a synod, gathering of bishops, decided on restoration with penance and probation.
-condemned Novatian because he denied that the church had the power to grant absolution for sins for the lasped
-laid the foundation for the development of the Roman Catholic hierarchy
-believed college of bishops (the episcopate) as the authority in the church universal

Persecution under Decius and Valerian

Period: 249 to 260

Decius: (success)
-religious campaign for the restoration of ancestral religion, what was at stake, was the survival of Rome
-Those who refused to worship the gods were guilty of high treason
-required to give sacrifice to the gods and be given a certificate/libellum. The punishment was arrest/torture, not death
-new title of honor "confessor" for Christians
-those who offered sacrifice were "apostates" Valerian: 258 held these policies and beliefs, executed leaders
-Lull in violence 260-303

Antony of Egypt

Period: 251 to 356

One of the earliest Monastics we know of through "Life of Antony" by Athanasius
Called to "sell all he has and follow me" > went into the desert, solitude for basic training > Trained (ascectism=athlete) body, emotion, and spiritual disciplines > external battle with evil >brought to society to bring wisdom, major influence, heavily respected
-Another Monastic is Paul found in "Life of Paul" by Jerome

Eusebius of Caesarea (Historian)

Period: 260 to 339

-Student of Pamphilus
-Scholar and bishop
-50% of Early Church History
-Reinterpreted theology in light of Constantine: "Gods purpose was achieved through the Roman Empire's (Constantine's conversion) With this Christianity and Empire merged two allegiances into one: God and Empire
-New perspective on Christian theology: riches&power are blessings from God, Church social structure modeled on empires, God's kingdom is fulfilled on earth only heaven remains to be attained

Final Persecution under Diocletian

Period: 284 to 305

-4-part Empire: 2 senior rulers, Augustus, one each in West &East of Empire. A junior ruler (Caesar) under each senior ruler for peaceful transfer of authority
-Diocletian (Augustus) neutral to Christianity but Galerius (Ceasear) did not trust Christian loyalty, esp. in the armies
-all Christians expelled from legions
-ordered the arrest of all bishops, destruction of all of Christianity’s sacred books and places of worship, and dismissal from any government positions in 303

Athanasius "The Black Dwarf"

Period: 293 to 373

-Deacon & Bishop at Alexandria (328).
-Exiled at least 5 times.
Contributed to:
-Theology—advocate of centrality of the Incarnation.
-Spirituality—Lived with and wrote about the desert monks. Took their ways to Rome during exile.
-Orthodoxy—central anti-Arian figure took over the cause after Bishop Alexander

The Schismatic Reaction

Period: 300 to 355

-Bishop in Carthage, North Africa? Caecillian vs. Majorinus/Donatus. Constantine (State) interferrance -Donatists: Purity of the priest to deliver grace, rebaptism; ascetic
-Orthodox: ex opera operator: It is the Lord at work in the sacraments not purity of person (by Augustine in 5th c. dogmatized at council of Trent 1545); sophisticated/urban Political: Donatist radical militants resisting superpower of Rome circumcellions
Just War Theory: Christians arguing military violence justified

Diocletian and Maximian abdicated

305

-Constantius’s son Constantine and Maximian’s son Maxentius popular but left out of power

Constantine declared emperor

306

-Constantius died and troops selected Constantine
-Maxentius took Rome from Severus
-Galerius failed to unseat Maxentius
-Licinius declared augustus
-System broken, war loomed

Galerius died

311

-Softened persecution first
-Left in power Licinius, Maximinus Daia, Constantine, and Maxentius

Battle of Milvan Bridge

312

Constantine took Rome from Maxentius at Battle of Milvan Bridge, Oct 312, under Christian sign Chi-Rho

Edict of Milan

313

This agreement between Licinius & Constantine declared an end to Christian persecution

Constantine Sole Ruler

324

-Licinius soon defeated Christian persecutor Maximinus Daia
-Licinius relinquished all power to Constantine by 324
-Constantine sole monarch for 13 years
-Ended Christian persecution
-Favored Christianity
-Changed the course of Christian history forever
-Constantine’s rise marks end of an era
-financed bishops' councils
-built fabulous churches
-baptized on deathbed
-gave the church property
-sought favor of Christian God in battle elsewhere

Council of Nicea

325

-Determined Christ is fully divine Bishop Alexander (Athanasius): Logos coeternal with the Father vs. Arius (Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia): Denied true divinity of the Son
-Creed: developed into current Nicene Creed
-Included 'homoousious' by Constantine, first non-scriptural term
-Arius Condemed
-Decrees on Easter, Patriarchates, ordination, lasped
-Failed to end controversy

Macrina, The Teacher

Period: 327 to 379

-Early took vows of celibacy, simplicity & contemplation.
-Converted brother Basil to ascetic Christianity.
“Mother” of Greek monasticism
-Led female monk community at Annesi.
-Memorialized by brother Gregory of Nyssa’s On the Soul and Resurrection and Life of Macrina, where she’s called “The Teacher.”
-Anti-Arian
-Trinitarian affirmation of Holy Spirit and Jesus Divinity

Gregory of Nazianzus

Period: 329 to 390

-Pastor and Hymn writer
-Son of Bishop in a devout family, Athens educated
-Presbyter at Nazianzus
-Founding Monk at Basil’s community at Annesi
-Anti-Arian bishop in Arian Constantinople, 380. Conducted orthodox services, wrote many classics of Greek hymnody
-Patriarch under emperor Theodocius.
-Presided over Council of Constantinople, 381.
-Retired to Nazianzus. Died c. 390.
-Trinitarian affirmation of Holy Spirit and Jesus Divinity

Basil the Great

Period: 330 to 379

-Superb education for law and politics.
-Converted to ascetic life by Macrina.
Visited Egypt, Palestine and elsewhere to research monastic movement.
-Lived as monk for six years.
-Rule of Basil in 375: Cenobitic Monasticism
-Presbyter ordination.
-Bishop (anti-Arian) of Caesarea (c. 370).
-Died before Council of Constantinople, 381.
-Anti-Arian
Trinitarian affirmation of Holy Spirit and Jesus Divinity

Gregory of Nyssa

Period: 330 to 395

Brother to Macrina and Basil.
Widower who became a monk.
He was most known as a thinker and theologian of Platonist and Neoplatonist schools, an ardent defendant of Nicene theology, and a mystic.

Bishop of Nyssa by Basil’s forceful persuasion.
Champion of orthodoxy at Council of Constantinople, 381.
Influence in State: Advisor to Emp. Theodosius throughout the empire.
-Anti-Arian
-Trinitarian affirmation of Holy Spirit and Jesus Divinity

St. Martin (Monasticism)

335

-"Life of St. Martin," by Sulpitius Severus
-Army Brat
-The cape and the beggar: "capella" place where the cape was kept turned into our word Chapel, and then, chaplain
-Monk/bishop model: As a bishop he did not give up his monastic, simple, life

Pachomius

346

Cenobitic Monasticism
One of the first to create a community of monastics
-Praticed: prayer, work, praise, obedience to cenobitic community
-died in 346

Julian sole Emperor

361

-Cousin of Constantine, pagan, did not see Christianity in same light because Constantine's troops killed his family
-Athens educated
-Discrimination over persecution of the Christians (withholding education and gov. positions)
-symbol of continuing pagan strength. The influence of paganism is still here today i.e. Easter: resurrection &fertility gods, eggs

Arius: Cheif Heretic

366

-Alexandrian priest
-Denied true divinity of the Son: Above angels and humankind, but below God
"There was when he was not"
Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, the Arian spokesperson
Prov. 8:22, Acts 2:36, Roman 8:29

New Testament Canon finalized (response to heresy)

367

Long process and gradual consensus within the orthodox church in response to heresies, in particular, Maricon's

Rule of Basil (Cenobitic Monasticism)

375

Basil and his former school-mate Gregory of Nazianzus founded a monastic community for men similar to his sisters’. During this time, he wrote a system of rules to be followed in monastic life. He believed community was key for monastics they could practice serving others. His rules are used as the basis for monastic legislation in the (East) Greek church today.

John Cassian

435

Ascetic, monk, theologian
-"Institutes" brought monasticism westward
-'Lectio' teachings

Apostle's Creed finalized (response to heresy)

750

Apostolic faith—
Ideally, held by all, everywhere, always.
No fixed form for a long time. I Cor 15:1-4.
Old Roman Symbol for baptizing.
Apostle’s Creed, finalized c. 750.
Gradual process seeking consensus over centuries.