Church History People 1-12 Quick Flashcards
Polycarp
69-155 (bishop of Smyrna)
1- Disciple of the apostle John
2- His long life made him an important link between the apostolic age and the early Christian writers of the 2nd century.
3- Polycarp’s martyrdom and writings were influential in shaping early Christian thought.
Clement
35 - 100AD (likely martyred under Emperor Domitian)
1- Christian leader, wrote the Epistle to the Corinthians.
2- Emphasized the importance of Apostolic succession in his epistle
3- Considered by the Roman Catholic Church to be the 4th pope.
Ignatius
35 - 107AD (Martyred for his faith in Rome under Emperor Trajan)
1- Bishop of Antioch
2- Strongly opposed Gnosticism and other heresies, defending the orthodox Christian faith.
3- The first to clearly distinguish between bishops and elders, contributing to the development of church hierarchy.
Marcion
85 - 160AD
1- Heretic and early Christian teacher
2- taught that the God of the Old Testament (Jehovah) was an arbitrary and vindictive god distinct from the God and Father of Jesus in the New Testament
3- According to Marcion, the God of the New Testament is a God of love, and in the end, there would be no judgment because of this love.
Justin Martyr
100 - 165AD (beheaded in Rome under Emperor Marcus Aurelius)
1- Christian apologist and philosopher
2- known for his defense of Christianity against pagan accusations and heresies. He personally opposed Marcion
3- the first orthodox Christian writer to evaluate the relationship between Christianity and philosophy, arguing that all truth belongs to Christians and that philosophy could be a useful tool in understanding God.
4- He developed the doctrine of the Logos, teaching that Jesus Christ is the Logos (the Word), an eternal principle of truth and reason that governs the universe.
Eusebius of Caesarea
260-340AD
1- Father of Church History and Bishop of Caesarea
2- Eusebius wrote the landmark work Ecclesiastical History
3- served as the Bishop of Caesarea during the Arian controversy and the Council of Nicaea
Tertullian
155 - 240 AD
1- first major Christian author to write in Latin
2- He coined the term “Trinity” and introduced many technical theological terms that became foundational in later Christian theological debates.
3- He vigorously opposed heresies such as Marcionism and advocated for a pure and holy church, urging Christians to live in accordance with the high moral standards of their faith
Constantine
272 - 337 AD
1- Emperor of the Roman Empire
2- converted to Christianity after a vision before a significant battle in which he was instructed to place the Christian symbol “Xp” (Christogram) on his soldiers’ shields.
3- the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which legalized Christianity and ended the widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.
4- convening the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to address theological disputes and solidify Christian orthodoxy.
John Chrysostom
347 - 407 (Died in Exile)
1- Bishop of Constantinople
2- “Chrysostom” (meaning “Golden Mouth”) due to his exceptional skills as a preacher
3- His strong stance on Scriptural truth and his critiques of moral corruption, both within the church and in society, earned him both admiration and opposition
Jerome
347 - 420
1- Ascetic monk, Scholar, and Theologian
2- While serving as the private secretary to Pope Damascus I in Rome, he undertook his most significant achievement: the translation of the Scriptures into Latin, known as the Vulgate.
3- Jerome’s scholarly rigor and commitment to making the Scriptures accessible to the Latin-speaking Christian world
Pelagius
360-418
1- British monk, Theologian - opposition to Augustine of Hippo
2- denied the doctrine of original sin - taught that human sin was not inherited from Adam, and that individuals have the inherent ability to choose between righteousness and sinfulness.
3- Pelagius believed that human beings could live righteously and attain salvation without the need for the Holy Spirit’s agency.
4- condemned as heretical by the Council of Carthage in 418 AD
Augustine of Hippo
354-430
1- Bishop of Hippo, Theologian, and Philosopher
2- Augustine fought against significant heresies of his time, particularly Donatism, Pelagianism, Manicheanism
3- His writings, including The City of God and Confessions, have had an enduring impact on Christian theology, especially in the areas of sin, grace, and predestination.
4- Augustine was a staunch advocate for the total depravity of humanity and the primacy of divine grace in the process of salvation.
