Mid Term Flashcards
Mani
founder of Manichaeism
briefly main competitor to Christianity from Rome to China
Quotes: called self “the apostle of Jesus Christ”; “[who] claimed to be the ‘Paraclete of the Truth’, “staff in one hand and book in the other”
Books: Book of Giants, Fundamental Epistle, Living Gospel
Beliefs: salvation poss thru education, self-denial, fasting, chastity. Christian Gnosticism.
Taught: two independent eternal principles: light and darkness, God and matter. Divided into elect (elite and only ones eligible for offices & sacred rights) & lay people who were hearers and may become elect through reincarnation.
claimed religion was the final universal revelation. similar to other gnostic movements, dualistic opposition bt principles of dark & light.
used a picture book (ardahang) to help the illiterate
30 year ministry preached in Mesopotamia throughout Persia and India, allegedly delivering many from demons and diseases
decapitated
Mani (AD 216-276)
Athanasius
Constantius ruled after Costantine in 337 and was Arian,
Quotes: “when did judgement of church get validity from the Emp?”
Books: 1st person to list the 27 books in NT.
Beliefs:
Assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria during the first Council of Nicaea. Battled against Arianism.
succeeded his mentor as pope 3 yrs later.
Battles: he struggled against the Emperors Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens. Known as Athanasius against the World.
tried to flee responsibility of becoming bishop bc saw the challenges ahead. Catholics wouldn’t hear of it and voted him in.
Constantly engaged in controversies with Arians. Spent 17 years in 5 exiles ordered by 4 diff Roman Popes.
Pope Alexander first met him after watching Athanasius play the part of a bishop baptising others and was called up by Alexander to prepare for clerical career.
AD 298-373
Ambrose of Milan
374 Elected bishop following death of Arian Bishop of Milan
Quotes: The flower of latin eloquence- Augustine.
Books: De Officiis ministrorum, Exameron
Beliefs: Encouraged monasticism, influenced Augustine, started community hymn singing in church. Strong stand against Arianism, overthrew it in the West.
Battles: Became famous as preacher, church administrator, politician. \Led against pagan Symmachus in 384 to have pagan alter restored in Rome.
Close advisor to Emp Theodosius, forced him to apology after trying to massacre civilians.
came from noble Roman family, classical ed, governor in N. Italy
AD 339-397
Jerome
Leading biblical scholar of western church, born in NE Italy
Quotes:
Books: Wrote “Textus Vulgatus” (the common text), Latin trans of Bible by Jerome (took 23 years) called Vulgate Bible
wrote commentaries on most of Bible bc so good at languages. Ranks with Origen and Augustine as early Bible interpreter.
Beliefs: Believed (like Augustine & Ambrose) in double procession (spirit from father and son) and later found in Nicene creed. Withdrew to ascetic life in syrian desert after dream of being student of Cicero instead of Christ.
travelled to Constantinople and studied theology, then secretary to Pope Damasus in Rome.
Battles: “the whole world groaned in astonishment at finding itself Arian.” response to universal creed confessing Son to be like homoios.
protege of Pope Damasus.
AD 347-420
John Chrysostom
Known as greatest of Christian preachers. Brave and tactless preaching.
Civil servants of Constantinople. Wanted best preacher of the east, kidnapped him from preaching in Antioch and took him to Constantinople.
Quotes: known as the “golden mouth”
Books: Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Beliefs:
a. Preaching for moral reformation. Believed appropriate and timely. Did it forcefully. Sometimes he would mention people by name.
b. Railed against the rich.
Common theme: if the pagan saw our self denial, that would help non Christian.
Battles:
Constantinople. he is poor in the richest nation where the emp was
a. Removed lavish parties, and artwork. Stopped riding in fancy carriage.
b. Started providing for the poor.
c. Crowds were incredible and sundays were packed.
d. John removed from pulpit by jealous bishops
and riot started. To restore peace, he was brought back.
2nd time to remove, caused riots and fires.
Attacked false doctrine, paganism. Attacked olympic games “dedicated to the devil”. Olympics the victor wins but in christianity, the fallen–look at Jesus.
Mother was either pagan or a christian. Father high ranking military.
Extreme Ascetic for two years continually standing, not sleeping, committing the bible to memory. His stomach and kidneys were permanently damaged.
AD 350-407
Columba
Famous abbot and missionary, born in Ireland, preached widely and helped est churches and monestaries
563 left Ireland for pilgrimage, maybe self imposed penance. Built monastery in Scotland which served as base for evangelism to other Scots.
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Beliefs: Combined deep visioinary piety, involved in kings and chiefs, with concern for scholarship and love of nature.
Battles:
Courageous, almost warlike, preached to people under the influence of Druid opponents of Christianity. Many converts and churches formed.
Celtic church important in reviving Christianity in W. Europe after fall of Roman Emp.
AD 521-597
312 A.D. - Conversion of Constantine
Had to fight for the thrown against Maxentius and then Galerius
Defeated Maxentius at Milvian Bridge and interpreted as God’s response to his prayer for help: “cross in the noonday sky” w/ words “conquer by this”
Quotes: “cross in the noonday sky” w/ words “conquer by this”
Books:
Beliefs: his attitude demonstrated allegiance to the church though some doubted his sincerity.
treated Christianity as the favored religion of the Empire: immunity to clergy, lavished gifts on the church. believed strife bt churches would bring down wrath of God, such as Donatist and Arian controversies
surprising how church was willing to accept and ask for his help
Battles:
renewed interest of the holy land, Constantine made Jerusalem into Christian city. Pilgrims came in increasing numbers.
Emperor had a great deal to do with the church.
Edict of Milan: 313 AD agreement to treat christians benevolently within Roman Empire.
previous religion was worship of unconquered son.
died AD 337
325 AD Council of Nicaea
This was Constantine’s great triumph
Nicaea was triumph for orthodoxy and church unity
orhodoxy with some modifications became one of the great creeds of Western Christianity.
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Battles: after becoming master of the East, dispute bt Alexander bishop of Alexandria and presbyter Arius with difficult problem of relation of the Son to the Father.
when downplaying didn’t work, called a council of the whole church. He presided over the critical session, suggested homoousios (of one essence)
Constantine died in 337 failing to attain goal of overall church unity
392 AD Theodosius bans pagan worship
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Battles: as Emperor, declared Christianity to be the sole legal religion in the Empire
391 prohibited all sacrifices and closed all temples.
392 banned all private pagan worship
394 final triumph put an end to zealous pagans in Rome
laws were not rigidly enforced, so pagan worship continued openly in some places for generations and privately for much longer. Since pagan belief was not prohibited just the practice, the belief lasted many more years.
440 AD Leo 1, Petrine Theory
Council of Ephesus
John of Antioch died, new generation took over.
Advanced primacy of the Roman Church in the West. 1st bishop to really use “you are peter….” (Matthew 16:19) as speaking of the pope himself. Had legal backing from Emp Valentinian III
Quotes: The “Tome of Leo” Leo’s “Tome”
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Battles: Great administrator and notable preacher.
440 Leo 1 became bishop.
dispute raged around Eutyches who attacked the doctrine of ‘two natures after the union’ that Christ’s humanity was absorbed by his divinity (drop of wine in sea).
449 another council for Ephesus: Leo sent statement of doctrine for bishops to approve–first major western contribution; supported “two natures after the union”
The “Tome of Leo” Leo’s “Tome” (statement about the person of Christ, his doctrine) was refused hearing at ‘robber synod’ of Ephesus 449, Flavian was deposed, Eutyches rehabilitated.
451 Council of Chalcedon, Leo’s Tome was one of the main sources to draw up the Chalcedonian Def on the person of Christ. Leo believed that Christ had both fully human and fully divine nature and was not split personality.
Leo the Great
AD 391-461
Docetism
Greek dokein (to seem or appear)
Heretical
argued Christ totally divine and that his humanity was merely an appearance. (opposite Ebionites)
the sufferings of Christ were apparent and not real and appeared as spiritual body after crucifixion
Jesus only seemed human and that this form was an illusion
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Ebionitism
Jewish sect, 1-3 C then disappeared
regarded Jesus as ordinary human being, not a God (opposite Docetism)
attractive to gnostic writers
the beliefs of a Judaistic Christian Gnostic sect of the 2nd century, especially partial observation of Jewish law, rejection of St. Paul and gentile Christianity, acceptance of only one gospel (Matthew), and an early adoptionist Christology.
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Justin Martyr
Born Palestine and converted from Paganism
Logos was accessible to all
Quotes:
Books: “First Apology” addressed to Emp Antoninus Pius to clear prejudice and misunderstandings about Christianity, argued against Christians being athiests and immoral.
“Second Apology” protesting against injustice of execution bc they are xian
“Dialogue with Trypho” recounted actual convo arguing that Xian is not breaking Jewish law of worshipping a human being.
Beliefs: Taught in Ephesus and Rome, Tatian was pupil.
Battles: Martyred in Rome
AD 100-165
Origen
One of most influential and controversial figure in early Christian theology
God’s revelation compared to being enlightened by the “rays of God”
allegorical exposition of scripture, use of platonic ideas in theology
studied in Alexandria
Quotes: described as “greatest genius early church ever produced”
Books: Contra Celsum (against pagan Celsus); prolific writer had help of fleet of secretaries; 2000 treatises
Beliefs: Origen taught that, before the creation of the material universe, God had created the souls of all the intelligent beings. These souls, at first fully devoted to God, fell away from him and were given physical bodies
significantly contributed to the development of the concept of the Trinity
Battles: tortured by Decian persecution and died 3 yrs later
C 185-254
Arian controversy
4 C
self-subsistence of God, one and only source of all created things
describe the Council of Nicaea through 1st Council of Constantinople
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Josephus
was a first-century Romano-Jewish historian and military leader
Quotes:
Books: best known for The Jewish War, and Antiquities of the Jews
Beliefs:
Battles: He initially fought against the Romans during the First Jewish–Roman War as head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 AD to Roman forces led by Vespasian after the six-week siege of Yodfat. Josephus claimed the Jewish Messianic prophecies that initiated the First Jewish–Roman War made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome. In response, Vespasian decided to keep Josephus as a slave and presumably interpreter. After Vespasian became Emperor in 69 AD, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor’s family name of Flavius.[4]
Flavius Josephus fully defected to the Roman side and was granted Roman citizenship. He became an advisor and friend of Vespasian’s son Titus, serving as his translator when Titus led the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Since the siege proved ineffective at stopping the Jewish revolt, the city’s pillaging and the looting and destruction of Herod’s Temple (Second Temple) soon followed.
Josephus’s works are the chief source next to the Bible for the history and antiquity of ancient Palestine, and provide a significant and independent extra-Biblical account of such figures as Pontius Pilate, Herod the Great, John the Baptist, James the Just, and possibly Jesus of Nazareth.
Bede
Historian. Believed Augustine’s attempts to unite Roman church and celtic failed on 3 issues:
- requirements that Celtic church adopt roman method of arriving date of easter
- adopt the roman tradition of baptism
- on his mission to convert anglo-saxons.
Eusebius
Father of church history
1st to attempt to write history of church in grand scale
Born Palestine, on the run during persecution 303-305
313 made Bishop of Caesarea, became close friend of Constantine and wrote speeches for him
Xian ideas helped create Christian Empire of Byzantium
Ambitious writer justify Christianity against pagans, most notable Hist Christianity
Follower of Origen
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AD 263-339
John Foxe
Early Church historian, Book of Martyrs
The 1570 edition (revised and enlarged to some 2,500 pages, covering the history of persecution from the early church on) was ordered displayed in every church, common hall, and college.
we can understand the deep impression that this book produced. Those who could read for themselves learned the full details of all the atrocities performed on the Protestant reformers; the illiterate could see the rude illustrations of the various instruments of torture, the rack, the gridiron, the boiling oil, and then the holy ones breathing out their souls amid the flames.”
1516-1587
Kenneth Latourette
Latourette was the author of over 80 books on Christianity
he became known for his magisterial scholarly surveys of the history of world Christianity
1884-1968
Didache
a. Teaching of the 12 apostles.
b. Two parts
i. Code of morals. Christian morals. How Christians are to live. Emphasis on ethics. Took this very seriously.
ii. Manual of church order. 1st book of order that shows up in Christian history. Church discipline, baptism, Lord’s supper. Church beginning to grow and instructs churches in 1st C. Sermon on mount quoted.
Writings of the apostles was a bit fluid 1st
35 AD Paul’s Conversion
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Ignatius of Antioch
Bishop of Church of Antioch early AD 100s
Letters written on way to Rome for his execution AD 98-117
Argued strongly for one bishop in charge of each congregation to prevent splits and protect correct beliefs
Condemned Docetist ideas (Jesus only a man) but in fact Jesus is pure spirit-being
high value in eucharist as means of unity
Believed he possessed Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy though inferior to apostles
Rather neurotic and forceful. So keen to be martyred that begged for execution.
i. Arrested on journey to Rome.
ii. 7 diff epistles. Polycarp was one of them. Great glimpse of what things were like.
iii. Distinguished bt bishops and elders.
iv. Wrote about early warning of early gnostic ideas, false teachings
Rule of Faith: pre-curser to the apostles creed. Body of teaching, essential to the faith.
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Perpetua
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Cyprian
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Irenaeus
Born Asia Minor studied under Polycarp
Bishop of Lyons AD 177
“Against heresies” writing against gnostic ideas exposing so called “knowledge”
“Proof of the Apostolic Preaching” demonstrating basic xian faith fulfils the OT
Stressed fundamental doctrines challenged by gnostics: with truth of world created by one God, Jesus the son died to save humanity, there will be a resurrection of the body.
Argued historical roots of xian faith and bible revealed His will progressively to men and women as they are ready to receive it. Christ is fully man / fully god.
Tried to base teachings on scripture: 1. canon of truth is key to interp scripture, 2) eucharist contains earthly and divine reality 3) place for virgin Mary (new eve) in theology
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AD 115-202
64 AD Nero’s Persecution
Tried to shift blame to Christians to distract from rumor that he started the fire in Rome.
Took christians to personal gardens and lit on fire to have light by night. In-humane.
Killed both Peter and Paul.
Cruelty did create pity to Xians.
Started 250 yr period of persecution. Torture, property, and come in waves.
70 AD Destruction of Jerusalem
Roman army destroyed in 70. Church of Antioch set pattern for future.
After, Jews took strong action against Christians, anti Xian additions made in prayers.
Little remains visible of that city today. Traditional sites covered by churches.
Enhanced the standing of the church in Rome.
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100 AD Saint John’s death
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