Church History Test 2 Flashcards
One reason Gonzalez emphasizes the refutes the idea Constantine’s conversion to Christianity was just a political ploy is that….?
There was no political advantage to being a Christian in this era. If anything, it was politically risky
One official title directly connected to the old Roman gods that Constantine openly accepted for himself was:
Supreme Pontiff
In 324 Constantine order that all the soldier in the army devote ______ to the worship of the Supreme God.
The First Day of the Week (Day of the Sun)
Another more-or-less religious set of beliefs common during the era of Constantine that he continued to honor on many of the Empire’s coins was the religion of ___?
The Unconquered Sun
The primary thing Constantine did that resulted in a good deal of popularity in Gaul was…?
Insure the barbarians were held at bay
Which of the following cities played and important role in the war between Constantine and Licinius?
Byzantium
Constantine will build a “New Rome.” Another name for this city is ____?
Constantinople
One of the most noticeable changes most ordinary Christians would have noticed during the reign of Constantine was…?
The building of many new, large, and elaborate church buildings
What was presented at the time as the primary reason Constantine launched an invasion into the territory of his former ally, Licinius?
A plot to assassinate Constantine was linked to a relative of Licinius
One way in which the conversion of Constantine was quite different from that of other Christians in the fourth century would be….?
He did not undergo an extended time of teaching (from the Greek word for teaching orally: κατηχέω), something typically done for everyone else.
In critiquing the writings of Eusebius, it is clear that Gonzalez is critical of….?
Ornate church buildings
Eusebius collaborated with Pamphilus to write a five volume defense of what well-known scholar?
Origen
When he writes his Church History, Eusebius clearly writes it with the ultimate goal of…?
Clearing showing that all of history points toward the coming of Christ and Christianity
One reason Gonzalez notes for Eusebius largely overlooking some of Constantine’s most glaring flaws was…?
He was committed to demonstrating that the coming of a Christian emperor demonstrating that all Roman history had been leading toward Christianity
One thing that Gonzalez points out distinguishes Eusebius of Caesarea is that he was … ?
Probably the most learned Christian of his generation
What role or position did Eusebius have in the church at Caesarea?
Bishop
Eusebius often referred to himself as Eusebius of Pamphilus. Why does he does this?
He wanted to honor the name of his teacher and friend, Pamphilus
For most Christians today, the work of Eusebius that would be best known would be his ….?
Church History
How did Eusebius react to the teachings of Arias related to the nature of Christ as God?
He was initially supportive of the teaching
Gonzalez contends that the major thing we should not in the theology of Eusebius is…?
How he redefines and adjusts Christian theology to fit the power and affluence the church experiences within the Christian Roman Empire
What is “cenobitic” (pronounced see-no-bit-ik) monasticism?
Monks who live together in a community with other monks
Two “biographies” (sometimes called hagiographies because they include so many legendary stories) were popular in presenting the lives of two of the early Monks, Paul and Antony. The Life of Antony was written by Athanasius. Who wrote The Life of Paul?
Jerome
One teaching in the New Testament that Gonzalez notes provides one of the foundations of monasticism is the teaching of Paul that ….?
It is better not to get married
Our word chapel, often used to describe a small church building, is rooted in a story about Martin of Tours (St. Martin) doing what?
Giving part of his cloak to a beggar
According to Athanasius’ biography, what scripture passage caused Antony (also spelled Anthony) to give up all his property and wealth?
If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess, and give to the poor.
The term “anchorite” which will be used to mean a solitary monk is a word that had originally meant…
Withdrawn
Pachomius’ first effort at creating a communal monastic community failed. Those who left told him he was too demanding. How did his second attempt at creating a monastic community differ from his first?
It was even more rigorous
Most of the earliest examples of hermit monks would be associated with what nation/region?
Egypt
What is Monasticism a reaction against?
The affluence and shallowness the begins to infiltrate Christianity with the coming of Constantine
What widespread philosophical outlook in the Roman Empire stressed that true wisdom could only be obtained by overcoming all the passions of the flesh?
Stoicism
What local social conditions does Gonzalez describe that contribute the the schism (division) that we call Donatism?
A large number of the poor, whose labor was essential to the city, saw with the coming of Constantine large number of wealthy aristocrats they deeply resented pouring into the ranks of the church
In the Donatist controversy, some held that not only those who recanted and worshiped other gods in the time of persecution should be considered traitors, but also those who _____?
Handed copies of the scriptures over to the authorities
The Donatist controversy originated with issues surrounding the succession of bishops in what city?
Carthage
Which of the following is a major reason Donatists would reject a particular man as a Bishop or Priest?
Someone who ordained them, or ordained someone who ordained them (etc.) was not a valid Bishop because of their past failings (or, because someone who ordained them had past failings, etc).
Who were the “circumcellion”?
Fanatics who were willing to use violence against those claiming to be Christians who supported compromised or invalid bishops, or who were seen as harboring wealth
Controversy and division over what to do with those who had caved in during a time of persecution, or fallen into some other serious sin, was not new with Donatism. In the third century churches experienced another such schism, primarily led by ____?
Novatian
The Donatist controversy comes from the word “Donatus.” Why?
Donatus is a man many who favored rigorous Christianity recognized as their rightful Bishop
The central issue that surrounded the Donatists controversy was related to ….?
The restoration of those who had renounced their faith during a time of persecution
Although he was a young man and only a Deacon assisting the Bishop of Alexandria, what important person in the history of the development of the doctrine of the Trinity was present at Nicea?
Athanasius
The gathering of church leaders at the seacoast town of Nicea in 325 CE is often referred to by church historians as…
The First Ecumenical Council
Gonzalez notes that many leaders and intellectuals in the ancient church had made use of some concepts and thoughts used by philosophers. In doing that, how did they come to think of the “Logos”?
God is unchanging and transcendent above all things. The Logo is capable of direct interaction with people. Anytime God spoke, then, it was the Logos of God speaking.
When describing the council of Nicea in his Life of Constantine, when does Eusebius say that the Bishop of Rome did not attend the council.
Because of how old he was
The conclusion of the Council of Nicea did not fully settle all issues. In general terms, what happened over the next several years after Nicea that causes Athanasius to be exiled, then returned, then exiled again, and then returned again?
Disputes and wars between the sons of Constantine, some of whom are pro-Arian and others are more favorably inclined toward the results of Nicea and so would be pro-Athanasius
What did Arius do in response to be being removed from all his posts and roles in the church by the Bishop of Alexandria?
He did not recognize the removal and appealed for support both to the local population and to other regional bishops.
The primary emphasis of the creed to come out of the Council of Nicea was to categorically state:
That Jesus Christ, the Logos is uncreated, had no beginning and shares the nature of God
At the Council of Nicea, when Eusebius of Nicomedia (not the same person as the church historian Eusebius) presented the views he wished the Council to affirm, what caused others to stand up and angrily shout, “You lie!”
Determined to present the view of Arius as strongly as possible, he asserted that Jesus, the Son of God, was no more the a creature, no matter how high a creature, created by God.
The teachings of Arius first brought him into conflict with what bishop?
Alexander of Alexandria
Gonzalez would seem to suggest that the thing in the controversy that got the Emperor’s attention was….?
Civil disorder and unrest in the city of Alexandria
Even when appointed Caesar over Gaul, no one expected Julian to be an able ruler primarily because…?
He spent his time reading books and studying philosophy and history
How does the Emperor Julian die?
In a battle with the Persians
During the reign of Julian, who authored a book ridiculing Christianity entitled “Against the Galileans?”
Julian
As he moved toward young adulthood, where did the future Emperor Julian receive his higher levels of education?
Athens
Before becoming emperor, Julian was appointed by Constantius to be Caesar over ____?
Gaul
Christian legend fosters an account of the Emperor Julian’s dying words. According to this (generally dismissed as inaccurate) account, the dying Emperor said:
Thou has conquered, Galilean!
One of the Emperor Julian’s policies of which the purpose, at least in part, was to suppress or weaken the church was … ?
All items or treasures confiscated from pagan temples under earlier Christian emperors and given to churches must be returned to the pagan temples.
One way the Emperor Julian sought to suppress or weaken the church was to make it illegal for Christians to study or teach from which of the following kinds of books?
Classic Greek and Latin literature
One thing the Emperor Julian did in regard to the Jews was … ?
Begin to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem
Which of the following is one of the reasons González (and other historians) cite to explain the Emperor Julian’s rejection of Christianity?
Because many of his relatives had been murdered
When Athanasius decided to flee from Alexandria because of violence and disorder between his supporters and those of the other claimant to the bishopric, Gregory, to what city in the empire did he flee and live for a period of time?
Rome
González says the primary reason Athanasius was so effective in his conflicts with Arianism was because….?
His close ties to ordinary people coupled with a simple personal piety and an uncompromising fiery character
Why did the Emperor Constantine have Athanasius banished from Alexandria to the small city of Trier?
Athanasius was accused of threatening Egyptian grain shipments
Which of the following was Athanasius accused of by his enemies?
Having a man’s hand cut off
González reports that the enemies of Athanasius at the council of Nicea insulted him by referring to him as….?
The black dwarf
The evidence supports the suggestion that Athanasius was born … ?
Among the poor and lower class Copts that farmed along the Nile River
In the year 328 Athanasius is ordained Bishop of Alexandria. Which one of the following also happened in that same year?
Arius was permitted to return to Alexandria by the emperor
The “Blasphemy of Sirmimium” was a label many church leaders gave to … ?
A church council that met and rejected the Trinitarian formula of the Nicene Council
After returning to Alexandria during the reign of Julian the Apostate, Athanasius came to understand the reason so many Christian leaders favored homoiosios over the Nicene Creed’s word homoousios was because….?
They wanted to insure people understood there was a distinction between the Father and the Son.
Why did Basil tell an military officer of the Emperor’s Praetorian legion that it was possible he had never before met a true Bishop?
The officer had been completely surprised by Basil’s willingness to face banishment or death
A famous sermon by one the Cappadocian Fathers began with the confession, “I have been overcome, and I confess my defeat.” This was a sermon about…?
The duties of a pastor
Gregory of Nyssa remains most influential and best-known for his writings about …. ?
Solitary contemplation
Where did Gregory of Nazianzus meet Julian (also known as Julian the Apostate)?
In Athens
Basil is widely considered the “Father of Greek Monasticism” primarily because…. ?
His written rules for monastic life serve as the basis for all later monastic movements within the Orthodox church
One of the key events that played a role in Basil’s decision to abandon his promising career as a teacher of rhetoric to devote himself fully to the religious life?
He got lectured by his big sister
After he had been appointed Bishop of Constantinople, Gregory of Nazianzus would ultimately come to believe that he would not be lawfully able to remain in that position. Why?
He had been appointed Bishop of Sasima earlier
Having returned to the monastic life because of tensions with the Bishop of Caesarea, what prompted Basil to return to Caesarea?
The Bishop of Caesarea invited him to return
How long had Ambrose been a Christian (if you start at his baptism) before he becomes the Bishop of Milan?
A little over a week
When Auxentius the Bishop of Milan died, there were good reasons to believe the crowds who gathered to see who would be the next bishop would evolve into an unruly and violent riot. The main reason for this was that many in the crowded sided with one of two groups. What groups?
The Arians and the Orthodox (those siding with the wording of Nicene Creed)
What happened while Fritigil, Queen of the Marcomanni (a confederation of Germanic tribes that had often been in conflict with Rome) traveled to Milan to learn about Christianity from Ambrose?
Ambrose died
At the point of time when the people of Milan were shouting “Ambrose for bishop,” what office or position did Ambrose hold?
Governor of the city of Milan
When citizens were captured by bands of barbarian Goths, Ambrose ransomed their release using golden items taken from churches. Which of the following famous quotes did Ambrose make in response to criticism?
It is better to preserve for the Lord souls rather than gold.
Who repeatedly pressured and threatened Ambrose to permit one of the great church buildings in Milan to be given over to the Arians for use in worship?
The Emperor’s mother
What is a “catechumen”?
Someone studying and preparing to eventually be baptized
What did the Emperor Theodisius do that caused the church to refuse to permit him to come to worship and take Communion?
Ordered the deaths of thousands of people
What other well-known Christian theologian and leader was largely converted by Ambrose’s preaching and was baptized by him?
Augustine
At what point in his life did Chrysostom give his shortest sermon: “In all things, glory to God. Amen.”
As he was dying
When John Chrysostom was a young man, what (in terms of church role) was he?
A Monk
With what city was John most closely associated before he became bishop of Constantinople?
Antoich
González records that, watching the actions and hearing the preaching of Chrysostom prompted the powerful palace Chamberlain to repent. What did he repent about?
He was sorry he ever encouraged that Chrysostom be made into the Bishop of Constantinople
One thing Chrysostom did as Bishop of Constantinople that result in strong criticism and hatred from some of the wealthy and powerful was … ?
Sell expensive church items to feed the poor
Why does John Chrysostom object to the presence of “spiritual sisters?”
The label was simply a polite figure of speech for the live-in women who shared the bed with many priests.
How much time was required for John (later Chrysostom) to complete his preparation for baptism?
Three years
Since John (later Chrysostom) had no interest whatsoever in becoming the Bishop of Constantinople, how did he end up there?
He was tricked into visiting a small church outside Antioch and kidnapped
What does “Chrysostom” mean?
Golden-mouthed
Which of the descriptions below would be describe the nature of Jerome’s monastic life during his years in Palestine?
A life mostly focused on study and writing
What group did Jerome generally feel were “two-legged asses?”
Just about anyone who disagreed with him
What was Jerome’s relationship with Bishop (of Rome) Damarus?
Damarus supported Jerome and make use of his intellectual and writing abilities
What is Jerome’s Latin translation of the Bible commonly called?
The Vulgate
What made Jerome give up classical studies?
He had a bad dream
What happened in the late summer of the 410 that emotionally impacted Jerome?
The city of Rome was conquered and sacked by barbarians
Which of the following describes a dramatic difference between Jerome’s translation of the Bible and others than had preceded it?
The Old Testament was translated directly from the Hebrew text
Generally speaking, Jerome’s best students of Greek and Hebrew were ….?
Women
Although he had long garnered more than his share of enemies, the most immediate cause of Jerome’s decision to leave Rome and travel to Egypt (later to Palestine) was…?
One of the women associated with Jerome’s influence died
What did the 3rd century Persian religious leader, Mani, teach about Jesus Christ?
He was the promised Messiah
On which of the following philosophical/theological issues did Augustine, shortly after his conversion to Christianity, challenge and refute the teachings of Manichaeism (more common spelling) ?
The reality of human freewill
Monica was Augustine’s mother. But, why was she important in the conversion of Augustine?
She followed and pressured him for years to convert
Who was Adeodatus?
Augustine’s son
Which of the following is a basic belief of Manicheism?
Reality is divided between two forces: light (good) and darkness (evil)
Why does González say that in the death of Augustine, we are in “the last glimmer of a dying age?”
Barbarians had surrounded the city of Hippo
Which of the following teachings from Pelagius did Augustine hear and determine was absolutely unacceptable?
Human beings can choose to sin or to not sin
Augustine long held two great objections or questions in regard to the Bible that prevented him from an earlier conversion to Christianity. Which of the questions below is one of those two?
What is the origin of evil?
At the time of Augustine’s conversion, who told him to pick up the Bible and read it?
A neighbor’s child
In his later life confrontations with the Donatists, Augustine comes to ultimately articulate which of the following key theories:
The Just War Theory
What key decisions coming out of the Christological controversies addressed at the Council of Chalcedon (451) were rejected by the Christians of the far east (Syriac Orthodox Church of the East) and remain a source of division to this day?
How to explain the two natures of Christ (divine and human)
Who or what is the “Peshitta”?
An early translation of the Bible
What controversy was associated with the “Diatessaron” among some churches in the east?
Whether or not the Diatessaron should replace the four separate gospels in the canon
The ancient “Ethiopian Apostolic Orthodox Church” has historically strong connect to which one of the following other ancient Christian traditions?
Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church
Gonzalez asserts that some churches in India were called “Nestorian” because they followed the teachers of Nestorius that emphasized . . . ?
The distinction between the human and the divine nature in Christ
In the first several centuries, the most important expansion of Christianity westward beyond the realm of the Roman Empire was the conversion of which of the following regions or nations?
Ireland
In the churches that spread far eastward, beyond the easternmost parts of the Roman Empire, the most common language among the Christians was still . . . ?
Syriac
Edessa is notable for which one of the following possible reasons?
It is the first Christian kingdom
What did it meant for Christianity when the Sassanid dynasty came to power in Persia?
Dramatically increased oppression and persecution
