Lesson 5 Flashcards
What was the impact and influence of Constantine on early Christianity
Constantine’s impact on Christianity was large and far reaching.
Christians went from out-of-favor with the government to being favored by the government.
More Christians had more access to bibles.
Church leadership became popular, competitive, and in some cases, corruption sneaked in.
Significant increase in number of Christians in the church.
However, less committed Christians.
He returned land to Christians that had been confiscated.
He made Sunday a national holiday.
Eastern churches called him the 13th Apostle
He allowed open worship and evangelism.
He condemned pagans (i.e. Donatists)
He ended the persecution of Christians.
Explain the issue with leadership that arose in the early church
Three fold ministry
1. Bishop
2. Elder
3. Deacons
Term Clergy referred to Bishop
Diving of roles in Deaconon
1. Deacons
2. sub deacons
3. Acolytes
4. Exorcists, readers, Doorkeeper
7 orders of clergy
1. Bishop
2. Elder
3. Deacons
4. sub deacons
5. Acolytes
6. Exorcists, readers, Doorkeeper
7. Grave digger
Identify doctrinal differences regarding the sacraments and practices of the church
What is Docetism
The doctrine, important in Gnosticism, that Christ’s body was not human but either a phantasm or of real but celestial substance, and that therefore his sufferings were only apparent.
What is Donatism
Donatists were the followers of Donatus Magnus, a schismatic bishop of Carthage in the mid-fourth century, who believed that the validity of a sacrament depended on the personal virtue of the person administering and the person receiving the sacrament.
What was Augustine’s response to Donatism
The sacraments do not depend on he gives them but what is given and not who receives them but what is received.
What is Arianism
Christian heresy that declared that Christ is not truly divine but a created being. According to the Alexandrian presbyter Arius (4th century), God alone is immutable and self-existent, and the Son is not God but a creature with a beginning.
Summarize the practices and development of the papacy
During the early history of Christianity, Rome became an increasingly important center of the faith, which gave the bishop of Rome (the pope) more power over the entire church, thereby ushering in the era of papal supremacy.
When Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380, the power of the pope increased, although he was still subordinate to the emperor.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the pope served as a source of authority and continuity; however, for several centuries afterward the Eastern Roman Emperor still maintained authority over the church.
From the late-6th to the late-8th century there was a turning of the papacy to the West and an escape from subordination to the authority of the Byzantine emperors of Constantinople.
When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Roman Emperor in 800, he established the precedent that, in Western Europe, no man would be emperor without being crowned by a pope.
After a conflict known as the Investiture Controversy, as well as from the launching of the Crusades, the papacy increased its power in relation to the secular rulers of Europe.
Throughout the Middle Ages, popes struggled with monarchs over power.
What was the long-term impact of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity?
- the church was able to have property, to start and build larger churches - to establish regional governments - to have councils to decide important matters - more Bibles - more involvement in State affairs, church leaders struggle for power and position - huge increase in # of Christians - controversy over re-entry of people who gave in to persecution - have to wrestle with pagan ideas entering the church
Who was Athanasius and what significant contributions did he make to the church
- Bishop of Alexandria, theologian
- 4th century
- Defender of Nicene Creed and
- Opposed Arianism
- Held to the tradition, teaching, and faith proclaimed by the apostles and guarded by the fathers.”
- He held that both the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are consubstantial with the Father, which had a great deal of influence in the development of later doctrines regarding the Trinity.
- Wrote “Against Arians”
8 Quoted as saying: The word became human that we may be divine. “The Incarnation of the word”
Who was Ambrose of Milan and what significant contributions did he make to the church
- 374 to 397
- Bishop of Milan
- Commanded penance for emperor Theodosius
- Influenced Augustine
- Promoted Roman Christianity against Arianism and paganism
Who was Jerome and what significant contributions did he make to the church
- Latin theologian, ascetic, major biblical scholar, translator
- 4th century
- Studied in Rome, widely travelled, settled in Bethlehem as monk
- Translated Scriptures into Latin (Vulgate) and accepted Hebrew canon (without Apocrypha)
- Engaged in (often bitter) controversies with heretics (and friends!)
Who was John Chrysostom and what significant contributions did he make to the church
- Archbishop of Constantinople, prolific theological writer, “golden tongued” orator
- 4th century
- Important biblical expositor
- A moral reformer, he came into conflict with Empress for his attack on corruption
- He was removed from office which caused his congregation and followers to protest.
- Opposed abuse of wealth, concerned for the poor, founded hospitals
- On the Priesthood, major work on Christian ministry
Who was Columba and what significant contributions did he make to the church
famous abbot and missionary - established a monastery in Scotland - his efforts allowed a revival of Christianity following the fall of Rome in Europe
Explain the development of the papacy in the Christian church after the first century?
- It started with each city/church having its own deacons and elders 2. Then came Monarchial bishops (first among many) who “rule” over the other bishops 3. Diocesan Bishop - had absolute rule over a local church 4. Metropolitan Bishops - had rule over a city and held sway over bishops in nearby towns 5. 5 Patriarchal Fathers - 5 churches in major cities that had major influence (Rome was the only one in the West 6. 2 Chief Patriarchs that compete for preeminence
