ad 100350 With the death of the Apostles unchallenged errors crept into doctrinal teachings but zeal and personal evangelism expanded until Christianity became the religion of the Empire Post Apostolic ID: 463068
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Slide1
The Early churchad 100-350
With the death of the Apostles unchallenged errors crept into doctrinal teachings, but zeal and personal evangelism expanded until Christianity became the religion of the EmpireSlide2
Post Apostolic
Lack of apostolic authority to appeal to for doctrinal and ethical conflictsOnly authority was the written Word (or strong personalities)Controversies resulted in increasing disagreementIf everyone agreed that baptism was essential to salvation, there was no conflict or debate
Deity and humanity of Christ became an issueSlide3
Councils
Issues were resolved in Synods and CouncilsSynods are local assemblies of Church leadersCouncils are more global or ecumenical gatheringsCouncil of Nicaea (325) was to resolve the deity of Christ issue
Writers (Apologists and Church Fathers) are divided at time of Council of Nicea
Ante-
Nicea
=
before
Nicea
Post-Nicea = after NiceaSlide4
Church Fathers
Apostolic or Post-Apostolic (95-150)Disciples of apostles had authorityApologists (140-200) – speaking in defense of truth
Polemicists (180-225) – refuting a positionTheologians (225-460) – gave reasons for understanding or gave explanations of biblical themes or truths
Ante-
Nicean
Post-
NiceanSlide5
Roman Persecutions
AD 64 – Nero in RomeAD 95 – Domitian
AD 115-161 – Trajan – Pliny in Asia MinorAD 121-180 – Marcos Aurelius
AD 193-211 –
Severius
AD 235-238 –
Maximinus
AD 249-315 – Various emperors
AD 258 Valerian
AD 303-311 – Diocletian
AD 315 –
Licinius
in the EastSlide6
Constantine (273-337)
Edict of Tolerance in 313, makes Christianity legalConstantine’s mother Helen, builds churches on historical sites from Israel to TurkeyIn 392, Emperor Theodosius forbids other religions and makes Christianity the state religion
Baptism of ConstantineSlide7
Second Century Events
Last apostolic disciples martyred: Polycarp was a disciple of JohnBegan evangelizing at the frontiers of empire – they were active in all provincesLatin becomes the language of West -- Greek remains the language of East (empire is divided)
Latin Vulgate completed in 190Catechetic schools in Alexandria, Egypt in 150Origen became head of school at 18 in AD 203.Slide8
Origen (185-254)
Contextual approach to exegesis: blending Greek philosophy to Bible understandingAllegorical hermeneutics taught in EgyptThree levels of learning: body, soul, spirit
Body = bare text or literal meaning for simple mindedSoul = Moral meaning hidden beneath the surface for ethics
Spirit
= Mystical meaning, , symbolical meaning
Though condemned by colleagues, especially from Antioch, his approach became the norm of Western Christianity, even the ReformationSlide9
Nesteros
and John Cassian 4-fold meaning of texts
Literal
and
historical
meaning
Symbolical
or typological meaning, allegory
Moral meaningAnalogical
meaning or expectations, hope or future
These became the method of mediation in monasteries of the West thanks to John
Cassian
(360-435)
Cassian
also originated the semi-
Pelagian viewSlide10
Factors affecting Church Growth
Roman Roads – 52,000 milesPax Romana – Peace requires authoritarianism
Common languagePhilosophy focus resulted in quest for truthJewish synagogues had lessening effect
Roman road system
Urban Jewish synagogueSlide11
Early historical evidence: Eusebius
Church at Rome (251) had 46 presbyters, 7 deacons, 52 exhorcists, 1500 widows with an estimated population of 30,000
By 300 there were 300 church buildingsSpread West over Silk Road TrekThe Empire divided itself (East and West) in 285
Harnack
estimates by 325 there were a total of 3-4 million believers who survived the persecutions.Slide12
Cappadocia – Protected center of Christianity
Rugged terrain ideal for hidingSlide13
First country to adopt Christianity as official state religion in 301.
A significant number of missionaries, perhaps fleeing persecutions, transformed the nationArmenia