persecution 2nd phase Flashcards
who was Decius and how did he come into power?
Decius who was a general in the army overthrew the emperor to become the emperor himself
what effect did Decius becoming emperor have on the church
the church had protection and toleration during the prior emperors reign this changed with Decius. He believed “the church was a deadly threat to the empires unity and stability”
what did Decius blame the christians for (goths) and his reaction
series of invasions by tribe known as goths which shook the empire. Decius blamed the christians as they didn’t worship the gods
Decius decided “he must eliminate the church”
what measures did Decius take to reaffirm imperial strength?
assumed the name of Trajan (famous predecessor)
minted coins with former successful emperors on them - reminding of good times
required universal sacralise to gods demonstrating his traditionalism
what occurred during the first phase of Decius’ persecution
church leaders appeared to be attacked
fabian, bishop of Rome was executed
bishop cyprian went into hiding
what occurred during the second phase of Decius’ persecution
an edict was issued by Decius requiring all citizens to sacrifice to the gods. indirectly targeted to christians as it would identify who was christian. persecution was now universal not local and systematic rather than spontaneous as Decius allowed no variation
what happened after citizens made the sacrifice (goat or sheep)
a commissioner issued a certificate known as libellus to confirm compliance with edict. the libellus had the persons name hometown and age on it
how did different christians react to the edict
devasting impact upon church throughout empire, compliance with edict thus apostasy from faith was widespread
why did persecution eventually ease off?
Decius died while at war with the goths
who are the sacrificati
those who sacrificed
who are the libellatici
those who bribed and gained certificate
what conclusion did the confessors come to in dealing with the lapsed (no church leader)
they wrote letters of peace to those who had lapsed and repented stating peace had been granted and where forgiven
what was cyprian view on the confessors decision
he was opposed as he believed apostasy was serious yet pardonable with genuine repentance and that the presbyters acted too hastily
who is novatus?
anti cyprian presbyter who formed a group of 5 others - they took a more lenient attitude towards the lapsed in Carthage
who is novatian?
group leader who took a stricter attitude towards the lapsed than cyprian and argued they shouldn’t be allowed back tot he church at all in Rome
what decision did the church eventually come to
cyprian returned to Carthage where the council addressed the lapsed judging each case individually
libellaciti where restored to church after penances were done
sacrificati could only be restored on their deathbed if they where penitent till the end
how did cyprian and Stephen bishop of Rome differ on views of schismatic baptism?
Stephen (bishop of Rome) said those who received schismatic baptism could be re-admitted to the Catholic Church without re-baptism whereas cyprian said they couldn’t and need to be baptised again
how does N R need ham describe Diocletian
“was a great political reformer and carried out a drastic re-organisation of the empire”
what did Diocletian do with the the empire
divided the empire into 2 parts with each part being ruled by a senior emperor (Augustus) along with a junior colleague (caesar)
who was the Augustus and caesar in the west
maximian (augustus) and constantius (caesar)
who was Augustus and caesar in the east
diocletian (Augustus) and galerius (caesar) diocletians son in law
how successful was this system?
worked well and Diocletian retained power throughout empire , when an Augustus died the caesar steps in. he also changed the structure of the courts, civil service and army swell as other economic and social reforms. these reforms were so successful it enabled the empire to last another 1000yrs
why did diocletian leave the church alone for his first 18yrs in power?
his own wife and daughter were admittedly christian by faith
how does need ham describe galleries’ views on christianity
“galerius was extremely hostile to christianity”
what factors led to the great persecution
the church grew and prospered as christianity began holding positions in the government and their refusal to worship gods overlooked
large church buildings built
paganism in decline while christianity grew
nervousness about christian disloyalty to empire
what was ordered in the first edict ordered during the great persecution
ordered the destruction of church buildings, burning of scripture loss of civil rights and forbid meeting for worship aswell requested surrender of church property
what did galerius do to initiate the great persecution
instigated all soldiers must sacrifice to the gods galerius wanted a global persecution against persecution although diocletian opposed but yielded to his demands
what was ordered in the first edict
ordered the destruction of church buildings, scripture and loss of civil rights swell as forbidding worship
what was included in the second edict ordered
ordered the imprisonment of clergy causing prisons to be overcrowded so no room for actual prisoners
what was ordered in the third edict
required the release of clergy upon sacrifice torture was used as means to comply causing many to sacrifice
what was ordered in the 4th edict
required general sacrifice throughout empire due to diocletians poor health galerius stepped in he later imposed the universal persecution making many martyrs
what was involved in the 5th edict
propaganda war imposed against church, required another general sacrifice enforced by military who checked citizens names on list number of measures introduced in order to revive paganism and decline christianity
outline reasons for and the terms of galerius’ edict of toleration
galerius was struck with illness and so granted religious toleration
allowed christians to exist again and re-establish their place of worship along as they did nothing against public order and prayed for the security of the empire and its leaders
how did the edict of Milan come about
Constantine moved against Maxentius to aquire supremacy in the west by defeating him at the battle of milvian bridge prior to which Constantine saw a cross in the sky with the words “In this sign, conquer.” This led him to adopt Christianity so him and co-emperor licinius made the edict of Milan granting religious tolerance across empire this united the empire and grew his support with christians
what is the donatist controversy
as with the delian persecution and the problem with the lapsed so did the great persecution have a lasting impact on the church due to a bishop (Felix) was accused of handing over scripture during the persecution yet was still supported by the church causing a split with North African churches
how are christians still persecuted today (human experience) islamic extremism
- 21 coptic martyrs of Libya 2015 a video was released by isis showing the beheading of orthodox captives on a beach dressed in orange jumpsuits the men were altered declared saints
how are religious believers still persecuted today (human experience) ethnic nationalism
nazi Germany carried out genocide from 1936-45 killing an estimated 6 million jews along with black people, gypsies
how are christians still persecuted today (human experience) secular society
in a secular society the powers of the church and state are separate in France the government is officially secular meaning the government doesn’t endorse any particular religion this can promote division and confusion as too many religions cause too many contradictions leading to killings
who are open doors organisation?
non-denominational mission supporting persecuted christians around the world providing emergency relief aid and providing bibles
why is china on the open doors watch list
Chinese communist party aim is to make sure churches don’t fall out of line with official viewpoint no u18’s allowed in church and any church that declares christ is king is viewed suspiciously
