Exam 1 - Christian Roman Empire - Short Answer Questions Flashcards
What is “nominal Christianity” and why does it become a problem at this time?
Christianity by name only without true faith. When Christianity became mainstream because of Constantine’s conversion and protection of it, the cost of persecution and suffering was removed.
What is the significance of Constantine’s conversion for church history? How would you assess the sincerity of his conversion?
It led to Christianity beginning protected by the State and eventually the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. While he was kind and protected Christianity for most of his life, he had a lot to gain from unifying the empire around a religion. Additionally, he continued to live a pretty sinful lifestyle after his conversion including murder so I think his conversion was likely, not sincere.
What was Arius’ key teaching? Why was it rejected at the Council of Nicea? What does homoousios mean and why did the Council of Nicea think it important?
a. Jesus was God like and was created from nothing before everything was created through him. He was hetero ousios, made of a different substance than God.
b. It was rejected because it threatened salvation by a fully God sacrifice.
c. homoousios means of the same substance of the father, he had the same nature. He had to be God to save us.
How would you respond to someone who argued that Constantine dominated the Council was dominated by political concerns?
a. Even though many of the emperors were pro arian, the orthodox view would prevail because it is true.
b. Constantine called it for political reasons (to put an end to disunity) but it was decided by bishops for theological ones.
c. Council of Constantinople – there were many pro arian or semi arian there. But even with that and the political influence, the theological truth was still most important.
Why didn’t the Arian controversy end after the Council of Nicea? How did the approach to theological debate change during this time? When and how did the Arian controversy finally end?
a. The belief continued to be popular, and ideas that he was of similar substance to the father (instead of different Arian, or the same substance orthodox).
b. It rose and fell with political concerns. They tried to convince the emperor of their view and have them enforce it.
c. Continues to this day in similar beliefs like Jehovah Witnesses.
Why did monasticism become a prominent form of Christian living during this time period? What were the two main forms of monasticism? How would you evaluate monasticism as a way of Christian living?
a. A state sponsored church. Through Antony, Athanasius, Jerome, Augustine, Chrysostom. Moral and spiritual standards went from really high to pretty low. How could you live a perfect, dedicated, devoted Christian life if there wasn’t the threat of martyrdom? Answer, Monasticism
b. They separated from the world and lived an ascetic lifestyle.
c. Individual Monasticism (anchorites) – solitary monk. Associated with St. Antony. (Dessert Saints). Rigorous self-denial. Emperor Constantine sought his council.
d. Community Monasticism (cenobitism) – greater emphasis on community and work. Associated with St. Pachomius. More hierarchical structure for groups. Established pattern of discipleship. Though not as isolated, they still tended to be separate from society.
i. Eventually this changes because monastery’s become so successful that community assemble around them and leaders become leaders of Christian communities.
Who was Athanasius and why was his theology important?
Primary opponent of Arianism. Archdeacon and later bishop of Alexander. He judged Arianism through doctrine of salvation and fought for a fully God and fully Human Jesus.
Who were the Cappadocians and why was their theology important?
a. Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa
b. Leading figures in fight against Arianism after Athanasius
c. Also fought for full deity of Holy Spirit
What were the main emphases of Nestorianism, Apollinarianism, Eutychianism and monophysitism? What did the Council of Chalcedon affirm against each?
a. Nestorianism (GOLUM)– claimed two persons existed with in Jesus, one human and one divine. Council affirmed one person.
b. Apollinarianism (HULK) – claimed that logos replaced human spirit so he was a divine soul in a human body. Council affirmed full humanity.
c. Eutychusianism (monophysitism) (SPIDERMAN)– claimed Christ human nature was dissolved into divine nature. Council affirmed that the deity and humanity of Christ remained distinct and are not blurred together.
Who was Pelagius and what were the main emphases of his theology? How is his approach different from that of the semi-Pelagians?
a. Irish monk who taught there was no original sin, we have free will to not sin, and denied that divine grace influenced the human will to choose good.
b. SEMI - Sometimes will comes from God, other times from man. Grace assists the will. God wills that will be saved and they have the free will to deny it. God’s predestination is by foreknowledge.
Who was Augustine and why was his theology important?
A man who becomes bishop of hippo after converting to Christianity and experiencing freedom from sexual addiction. His theology has influenced the world greatly through fighting against Donatists and Pelagius.
What parts of the church rejected the Council of Chalcedon and went on to form their own forms of Christianity?
In Egypt and Syria, continues today in Coptic church continue to embrace Eutychusism. Nestorian Churches also continued their separate existence.
