Major Figures Flashcards
Who was Justin Martyr?
An early apologist, trained in philosophy
When did Justin Martyr live?
And how did he die?
100-165
Martyred in 165
What is Justin Martyrs’ significant work?
“Apology”
Where did Justin Martyr live throughout his life?
Palestine
Ephesus
Rome
Why is Justin Martyr important to church history? (2)
1) Marries Christian thought and Greek philosophy
2) His writings are some of the earliest describing Christian worship services
What were some of Justin Martyr’s main theological claims? (2)
1) Connections between Christianity and Platonism (Supreme being is God)
2) Doctrine of the Logos:
(All truth and reason come from Logos, including Plato)
What is Marcion known for?
Starting Marcionism
When did Marcion move to Rome?
144
What is Marcion’s background?
- His Father was a bishop
- Marcion had issues with the suffering he saw in the world
- Church didn’t like his views, so he started his own church.
Who is Irenaeus?
Bishop of Lyon
What is Irenaeus’ background?
Disciple of Polycarp
Where did Irenaeus live?
Born in Smyrna. Moved to Lyons.
When did Irenaeus live?
Born: 135
Martyred: 202
What were Irenaeus’ most notable writings?
“Demonstrations of Apostolic Preaching” and “Against Heresies”
What were Irenaeus’ most notable theological claims? (3)
1) Apostolic Succession (teachings of Jesus handed down through direct succession of apostles, then to Bishops, thus implying authority of church)
2) Divination (We grow more and more in image of God)
3) Recapitulation (Jesus is the new head of the Church, Adam was the old head of humanity)
Why is Irenaeus important to church history? (2)
1) Develops “Doctrine of Apostolic Succession”
2) First to use phrase “New Testament”
Who is Tertullian?
Presbyter of Church in Carthage
Founder of Western Theology
Where did Tertullian live?
Carthage
When did Tertullian live?
160-220
What is Tertullian’s background?
Studied as a lawyer, has a legal mind
What are Tertullian’s thoughts on apostolic succession as it relates to heresies? (3)
1) Public link with apostles, no secret knowledge
2) Heretics don’t understand scripture (don’t understand underlying structure)
3) Heretics have no right to scripture, they belong to Christians.
Tertullian wrote against Monarchianism What is that?
Monarchism: Monarchy of God, only one God (opposed to trinity)
Tertullian wrote against Sebellianism. what is that?
Sebellianism: any belief that states: one God, three modes
What is Tertullian’s most notable work?
“Prescription Against the Heretics”
What does Tertullian argue in “Prescription Against the Heretics”?
Using legal logic, Tertullian denies heretics access to the scriptures. Claiming they have no legal right to it.
What is Tertullian’s conception of the Trinity?
one substance, three persons
What were Tertullian’s religious affiliations later in life?
- Joined Montanists in 207 (he liked they were more rigorous)
- Then started his own movement, Tertullianism
What was Tertullian’s opinion of Greek philosophy?
No use for philosophy, don’t need to believe in anything after Gospels.
Why is Tertullian important to church history? (4)
1) Translated scripture into Latin.
2) Development of Trinitarian theology (one substance, three persons)
3) Development of Christological theology (one person, two natures)
4) Founder of Western Theology
Who is Cyprian?
Bishop of Carthage
When did Cyprian live? and how did he die?
200-258
Arrested and beheaded
What is Cyprian’s background?
Practiced law
What was the controversy surrounding Cyprian?
- Persecution breaks out
- Cyprian goes into hiding
- Runs church from hiding
- Some felt he abandoned flock.
What issue in Carthage did Cyprian contribute to? And what was the response?
What do you do with Christians who sacrificed to false gods or bought false certificates?
Response:
Bought false certificates? Re-admitted
Sacrificed? Only re-admitted on death bed
Where did Cyprian live?
Carthage
What was the controversy around baptism and what was Cyprian’s view?
If people are coming from heretical churches, do they need to be re-baptized to join the Christian church?
Rome thinks if they have been baptized in the trinity, no need for re-baptism.
Cyprian disagrees! Believes no baptism is legitimate unless happens in the church.
Cyprian’s main theological views? (2)
1) Ark of salvation (only saved in church)
2) Unity of Bishops (church is recognized by submission to Bishops)
Why is Cyprian important to church history? (1)
Ecclesiology: Doctrine of the Church
Outside the church, no spiritual life, no sacrament, no salvation. Just like the ark, no one outside the church can be saved.
Cyprian famous quote?
“No one can have God for his Father, who doesn’t have the Church for his Mother”
Who is Clement?
Main Christian instructor in Alexandria
Major contributor to Eastern theology
What was Clement’s aim in his work?
He was a thinker and researcher
He worked to convince pagan intellectuals that Christianity was valid.
When did Clement live?
150-215
Where did Clement live?
Born: Athens
Moved: Alexandria
Moved due to persecution: Eastern Mediterranean
Major work of Clements?
“Exhortation to the Pagans”
What were the theological beliefs that Clement had that he saw as congruent with Platonism? (3)
1) Philosophy given to Greeks like law given to Jews
2) Both lead to ultimate truth, revealed in Jesus
3) God is ineffable one, revealed to us in the Word or Logos
Other theological beliefs of Clement? (2)
1) Scripture is allegorical and has more than one meaning
2) Two levels of Christians:
- Simple Christians
- True Gnostics
Why is Clement important to church history? (2)
1) Doctrine of Logos
2) Encouraged Christians to be open to philosophy.
Who is Origen? (4)
1) Clement’s disciples
2) Trained catechumens in Alexandria
3) Ordained Presbyter
4) Ran Christian philosophy school