Mid-Term Short Answer

Question 1

Reasons for Persecution 1

Answer 1

False rumors and misconceptions about Christian practices such as the love feast, communion, and marriage.

Question 2

Reasons for Persecution 2

Answer 2

Misconceptions of Christian teachings about the nature of God, the purpose of Christ’s crucifixion, and the nature of the final resurrection.

Question 3

Reasons for Persecution 3

Answer 3

Many were lower class/barbaric (the ignorant and the uncultured; slaves, women, and children)

Question 4

Reasons for Persecution 4

Answer 4

Christians would not worship Roman gods or burn incense to the emperor as a god.

Question 5

Septimius Severus

Answer 5

North African military leader who promoted religious harmony through common worship of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun. An A.D. 202 edict outlawed conversion to Christianity and to Judaism under penalty of death.

Question 6

Decius

Answer 6

Desired to restore the glory and strength of the Roman Empire by mandating worship of the ancient Roman gods. Few Christians were martyred, but many Christians were threatened, imprisoned, and tortured for their faith.

Question 7

Valerian

Answer 7

Persecutions between 257-58 were aimed primarily at church leaders and Christians with high social status. Cyprian was put to death in Carthage, September, 258.

Question 8

Diocletian

Answer 8

Organized government under a tetrarchy or rule of four co-emperors. Galerius’s persecution of Christians began in the military. In 303, an edict removed Christians from government positions and ordered all Christian buildings and books destroyed (ended in 311). Persecution escalated when Christians were forced to offer sacrifice to the gods. In 313, the ‘Edict of Milan,’ an alliance agreement between Constantine and Licinius, set in motion the eventual end of persecution of Christians and ordered the return of their properties.

Question 9

Impetus for the Canon

Answer 9

When Marcion rejected certain texts, such as the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and John, as unworthy to be included in his collection, he proposed an alternative to some fairly widely observed conventions. On the positive side, however, he obliged Christians to consider why they regarded some texts as Scripture and not others.

Question 10

Foundation of the Canon

Answer 10

The inspiration/self-authenticating nature of Scripture meant the Church could recognize the Scriptures through the internal testimony of the Spirit; the extent to which texts could be claimed to reflect apostolic authority or mirror apostolic teaching.

Question 11

Canonization 1

Answer 11

Several books, such as Paul’s letters and the Gospels, were already circulating in collections, but no formal list had been drawn up.

Question 12

Canonization 2

Answer 12

The Gospels and Paul’s letters were read alongside the Hebrew Scriptures in worship services, and the apostles’ writings were quoted extensively in combating heresies. This authoritative use of NT writings was a practical acknowledgment of their unique place in the church.

Question 13

Canonization 3

Answer 13

Hebrew Scriptures or OT were already universally accepted.

Question 14

Canonization 4

Answer 14

Gospels, Acts, and Pauline epistles receive early recognition. The ‘Muratorian list’ (Rome, 190) lists the Christian Scriptures as the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen letters of Paul (including the Pastorals), Jude, 1 and 2 John, the Wisdom of Solomon, the Revelation of John, and the Apocalypse of Peter (doubtful).

Question 15

Canonization 5

Answer 15

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260-340) recognizes 22 of the 27 books of the NT as undisputed and the rest as disputed but widely read and recognized.

Question 16

Canonization 6

Answer 16

All 27 books were received in the West by the time of Augustine (393) and recognized in the East by 367 (Athanasius’s Easter Letter), though debate continued in the Eastern Church for a time longer.

Question 17

Rise of Constantine 1

Answer 17

Upon his father’s death, Constantine became the Augustus in Gaul and Britain. In 312, he defeated Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge and captured Rome. He then gained sole control over the western half of the Empire. Before the battle, Constantine claimed to have a divine vision and later a dream of Christ.

Question 18

Rise of Constantine 2

Answer 18

In 313, Constantine made a political alliance with Licinius at Milan, which declared an end to the persecution of Christians. This is known as the Edict of Milan.

Question 19

Rise of Constantine 3

Answer 19

In 314, Constantine defeated Licinius in battle and assumed control over all of Licinius’ European territories. In 324, Constantine defeated Licinius to become the sole

Question 20

Constantine’s Conversion

Answer 20

In 312, Constantine claimed to have seen a vision and dream of Christ telling him to “conquer by” the Cross. Constantine adopted the chi and rho symbol, representing Christianity.

No additional information.

Question 21

Constantine’s Impact 1

Answer 21

Constantine expanded and renamed the city of Byzantium “Constantinople” as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The move of the capitol to Constantinople accelerated the decline of Rome’s political importance and strengthened the importance of the bishop of Rome.

No additional information.

Question 22

Constantine’s Impact 2

Answer 22

Constantine unified and strengthened the Empire by promoting policies favorable towards Christians. He granted the church and clergy favors, wealth, status, and political support. As a result, many probably became Christians for less than genuine reasons, increasing pagan influence on doctrine.

No additional information.

Question 23

Constantine’s Impact 3

Answer 23

Church buildings became more elaborate, and worship became more liturgical and less participatory.

No additional information.

Question 24

Constantine’s Impact 4

Answer 24

In 325, Constantine convened the Council of Nicea, which he influenced to establish Trinitarian orthodoxy. He later undermined the council’s impact by instating Arian bishops.

No additional information.

Question 25

Constantine’s Impact 5

Answer 25

Constantine’s establishment of a sort of Christendom contributed to a theological perspective that equated the end of persecutions and Constantine’s “conversion” with the triumph of Christianity over its enemies.

No additional information.

Question 26

Responses to Constantine 1

Answer 26

Many converted to Christianity for political, economic, and social advantages.

No additional information.

Question 27

Responses to Constantine 2

Answer 27

The Donatists pursued radical separation from the Empire’s church. Among them, the circumcellions did so violently.

No additional information.

Question 28

Responses to Constantine 3

Answer 28

Some Christians pursued monasticism as a reaction to the church’s political favor and growing wealth and privilege.

No additional information.

Question 29

Papal Creep 1

Answer 29

The tradition that Rome was the place where both Peter and Paul died as martyrs enhanced the prestige of the bishop of Rome.

Question 30

Papal Creep 2

Answer 30

Victor (189-98) was influential in setting the date for Easter.

Question 31

Papal Creep 3

Answer 31

Bishop of Rome recognized as an arbiter in decisions made by local councils (343).

Question 32

Papal Creep 4

Answer 32

Damascus I (366-384) commissioned Jerome to produce a standard Latin edition of the Bible.

Question 33

Papal Creep 5

Answer 33

After Constantine moved the capital of the empire to Constantinople

Question 34

Papal Creep 6

Answer 34

Leo I whose Tome was important to the outcome of the Council of Chalcedon and his role in defending the city of Rome against invading barbarians

Question 35

Papal Creep 7

Answer 35

Gregory I (590-604) was a reformer

Question 36

Papal Creep 8

Answer 36

The coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III (800).