Lecture 6 Flashcards
Who was the chamberlain who ruled behind the emperor during Arcadius’ reign?
Arcadius was so inept, that he was more of a puppet ruler, and subject to wishes and political ambitions of his palace chamberlain (chief of staff), Eutropius
Who was John Chrysostom’s mom?
Anthusa
Who had trained John Chrysostom as an orator?
He had been trained as a lawyer in his native Antioch, by the pagan orator Libanius
Who trained John Chrysostom in theology?
He also studied theology in Antioch under Diodore of Tarsus (died c.390)
Diodore of Tarsus (died c.390)
Diodore was the leader of the Antiochene tradition of theology:
o Emphasis on literal and historical exegesis (as opposed to Allegorical)
o Against Appollinarius, he insisted on the complete humanity of Christ
- Diodore ruled a Monastery in near Antioch, until the Arian Controversy drew him to the city in order to combat it
- He became bishop of Tarsus in 378
What did John do after Anthusa’s death?
After his mother’s death, he became an Anchorite monk (c.373-c.381)
• Spent two years in solitude practicing monasticism
• He followed the rules of Pachomius
• He was so strict, that his health was compromised for the rest of his life (he refused to eat, or sleep, had digestive problems for the rest of his life).
Bishop Flavian appointed John Chrysostom to preach. Who did he direct his preaching to?
His preaching was directed at the nominal Christians of his day, especially clergy and royalty—a theme that he continued his entire career.
Who did Arcadius marry when Theodosius died?
Arcadius married the Empress Eudoxia—arranged by Eutropius
Upon becoming bishop of Constatinople, what did John Chrysostom set out to do?
He attempted to reform the morally apathetic city and quickly earned a reputation for being “ascetic, aloof, energetic, and outspoken to the point of indiscretion, especially when he became excited in the pulpit.” (Chadwick)
Who was the target of Chrysostom’s preaching?
• His sermons of reform seemed to target the Empress Eudoxia (among other members of the royal family)
o For example, Eudoxia had used her influence to commandeer some land which did not belong to her—and John preached against this issue in public
o She had him convicted by the Court of 29 charges, and removed from his See
o He was reinstated by the Court, but his preaching resumed, and he was deposed once and for all, despite support from powerful bishops in the west, and Pope Innocent I.
How did Chrysostom reform the church clergy and finances in Constantinople?
John’s Actions:
o Chrysostom ordered all priests to stop keeping these mistresses
o He fired many of the clergy unfit for the ministry
o John always ate alone (due to his weak stomach from the self-abuse suffered during his time as a monk)—many other bishops and clergy were offended that he did not invite them in for food and drink as Nectarius had done—false rumors circulated that John was hoarding all of wealth, food, and drink for himself.
o John offered only modest accommodations to visitors.
Chrysostom also attempted to organize Church finances:
• Most priests lived in luxury while church finances were a mess
• The care of the flock reflected the financial situation
• Chrysostom placed the care of finances under a system of detailed scrutiny
• Luxurious items from different bishops’ homes were sold to feed the hungry
• Priests were ordered to have church services at times that were not only convenient for the wealthy, but also for those who worked
• These measures gained for Chrysostom both respect and hatred
How did Eutropius’ control of Arcadius finally end?
Eutropius finally unleashed his fury on Chrysostom and his friends and followers
• Some fled the tyranny and sought refuge in the Hagia Sophia, the Church of Constantinople—the largest in Christendom
• John did not allow troops inside, Eutropius appealed to Arcadius, but John preached again, and this time Arcadius did not give in to Eutropius (Waldrop thinks Arcadius knew the truth).
• Eutropius eventually lost his power—and a mob chased after him
• He sought refuge in Hagia Sophia, and John gave him sanctuary and did not allow him to be harmed (WOW!)
• Thus, John clashed with the army, Eutropius, and the emperor
Epiphanius (c.315-403)
• A man by the name of Epiphanius (c.315-403), bishop of Salamis (Cyprus) was a fundamentalist who fought a group of Marcionites in his bishopric—and was disturbed by Origen’s pagan philosophy-inspired theology
o Epiphanius then condemned Origen, especially for interpreting literal meanings as spiritual symbols.
Who led the Origenist group during the time of Chrysostom?
• Around the same time (370’s) there was an Origenist group, led by Ammonius and three “tall” brothers.
o They had fought the Arians and had suffered, esp. after the death of Athanasius, and were on good terms with the bishops of Alexandria
Who did Theophilus of Alexandria support during the controversy between Epiphanius and the Tall Brothers?
At first, he sided with the Tall Brother. But after some remarks against Epiphanius, Epiphanius’ supporter’s marched on Alexandria. The Tall Brothers appealed to John Chrysostom. Theophilus saw John as a threat from that point on.
What did Theophilus do after the Tall Brothers appealed to Chrysostom?
He began to fuel the conspiracy that John was against Eudoxia. Basically, he saw him as an enemy, and was now looking for ways to get rid of him.
What happened when Theophilus and Eudoxia joined forces against Chrysostom?
Eudoxia and Theophilus of Alexandria, then plotted against Chrysostom:
• John was charged with ridiculous crimes
• He was banished by the emperor Arcadius
• A monk at heart, and ready for peace, Chrysostom gratefully prepared to leave
• People rioted when they realized John was leaving
c. An earthquake erupted soon after, and Eudoxia fearfully begged John to Return
• He returned to the pulpit amid shouts of joy and preached a triumphal sermon
When John returned after exile, what did he do?
d. However, the issue of his straightforward preaching and insults towards the Royal (Eudoxia, kept slamming her) court had not been forgotten, and another plot was formed, and charges leveled:
• John was arrested again
• Many people rioted and some of the churches were burned
• Some of John’s friends were tortured by the government during questioning about the fire
• Chrysostom again surrendered in peace
When Innocent I heard that John had been exiled, what did he do? And why is this important?
b. The Bishop of Rome (Innocent I) came to his defense
c. The Pope appealed to Honorius, emperor of the west (the western counterpart to Arcadius)
• The Bishop’s delegation went to Constantinople
• They were arrested, imprisoned, bribed and tortured
• They were sent back to Rome in a leaky boat
This is an example of the growing tensions between the East and the West.
How did John die?
d. Many of John’s friends were sent to exile
e. John was ordered moved to another, more remote, and cold place on the banks of the Black Sea
f. His guards, knowing that the emperor did not like him, pushed him beyond his strength and he became ill (he passed away because of this).
a. When he was about to die, he asked to be taken to a small church nearby:
• He took communion
• Bade farewell to those around him
• He preached a brief, but eloquent sermon: “In all things, Glory to God. Amen.”
Thirty one years later: the schism ended when John’s body was brought back to Constantinople, among great pomp and circumstance.
Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428)
Friend of John Chrysostom—studied with him at the Diodore’s school in Antioch
- Became bishop of Mopsuestia in 392
- He was Antioch’s leading biblical commentator and theologian (for a time)
a. In his commentaries, he used scientific, critical, philological, and historical methods
b. He completely rejected allegorical interpretation
Theodore REALLY emphasizes the humanity of Christ, and is deposed as a heretic at the Council of Ephesus (431) and II Constantinople (553).
Why was Theodore’s theology condemned?
Theodore was recognized as a great theologian near Antioch, while Apollinarius (Alexandrian hero) had been condemned
a. Thus, his Word-man Christology was being quietly undermined and attacked as closet adoptionism by the Alexandrians.
b. Theodore was anxious to safeguard the reality of Christ’s humanity which he rightly saw to be prejudiced by Apollinarianism (Chadwick)
c. However, his doctrines were condemned at the Councils of Ephesus (431) and II Constantinople (553).
How did the Council of Constantinople contribute to the growing division between the East and the West?
A. The Council of Constantinople had declared that the patriarch of Constantinople should have the same type of power in east as the Bishop of Rome in the west (GROWING TENTION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST)
- This only heightened the controversy between Antioch and Alexandria
- Since Antiochene bishops usually took the seat more often than the Alexandrines, both schools continued to be bitter enemies.
What is Nestorianism?
Nestorianism is the belief that there are two separate persons in Christ, a human one and a divine one. This is VERY typical of two natures theology that comes out of the Antioch school of theology. This theology also stresses the humanity of Christ.
The problem with Nestorius’ Christ is that he cannot account for the unity of Christ, because he makes two Christ (a human and a divine one).
