Background Constantine rules in Constantinople Christianity is thriving in their new context After the Council of Nicea Arianism still thrived Their leader Eusebius of Nicomedia manages to have Athanasius exiled by Constantines order we do not know how ID: 211586
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Imperial Christianity" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Imperial Christianity Slide2
Background
Constantine rules in Constantinople
Christianity is thriving in their new context
After the Council of
Nicea
, Arianism still thrived. Their leader, Eusebius of Nicomedia, manages to have Athanasius exiled by Constantine’s order (we do not know how)
Constantine does ask for baptism, on his deathbed, Eusebius administers it Slide3
Background
There was a lot of fighting for power between his sons.
A war broke out between two of the sons:
Constantius
II and
Constans
.
Constantius
II leaned heavily pro-Arian and introduced this theology when he had control of the East.
Jerome says “the entire world woke from a deep slumber and discovered that it had become Arian.”
Arian confessions of faith were even signed! Slide4
Background
In this short period of time, we see Arianism is becoming a dominant force within the church.
Athanasius will become a key character later on in Christian history when he faces this head on
Constantius
died unexpectedly and he would be succeeded by his cousin Julian.
Julian would try to wipe the Empire of it’s Christian influence.
He is known as Julian the ApostateSlide5
Julian the Apostate
Julian came to power through him believing that his cousin had been in implicit in a massacre that happened in the Capital of
Constantius
’ relatives.
Julian and his brother Gallus were spared in this massacre.
Julian and Gallus were baptized and raised on Christian instruction.
351, Gallus becomes “Caesar,” but it became apparent that Gallus was not a good leader.
Constantius
would have him arrested and then beheaded. Slide6
Julian the Apostate
Julian, meanwhile, continued his studies.
He would study under Basil of Caesarea.
It was during this time that Julian became interested in mystery religions.
He abandoned Christianity and sought truth and beauty in literature and religion of Greece.
Constantius
would make him Caesar, but nobody thought he would be a good ruler since he was an academic. Slide7
Julian the Apostate
Julian actually surprised his contemporaries and lead a successful campaign in Gaul.
Constantius
began to fear Julian’s rise to power.
Constantius
was preparing a campaign against Persia. He called troops to the East, they rebelled and proclaimed Julian “
augustus
”
Constantius
would march out against Julian.
Constantius
would prepare and then he would die unexpectedly and it was easy for Julian to overtake the Empire. Slide8
Julian the Apostate
Julian was a brutal ruler. He would seek revenge on those who made his life miserable and tried to keep him from the seat of power.
But he would be known for his policies. Slide9
Julian’s Religious Policies
Julian wanted to return the Empire to paganism and stop the spread of Christianity.
Constantine never persecuted nor forced pagans to convert. He did sack ancient pagan sites for art to decorate his mansion
Julian wanting to restore and reform paganism ordered all things from these ancient sites be returned.
Made a hierarchy of pagan priests which would be set over regions which he divided Slide10
Julian’s Religious Policies
He ordered
massive sacrifices in which the gods were offered hundred of bulls and other animals.
But Julian was smart, he knew his policies were not popular.
People would mock his ceremonies, all the while participating in them.
He knew he would have to hinder Christianity from growing.
He took a series of measures to insure this. Slide11
Julian’s Religious Policies
He never formally persecuted Christians and never brought a Empire wide persecution.
Persecutions that did happen mainly happened from mobs and overzealous officials.
Julian said that this would not help his cause.
Julian would ridicule them in hopes that it would hinder their progress
Instead, Julian he passed laws forbidding Christians to teach classical literature.
Julian would also write
Against the GalileansSlide12
Julian’s Religious Policies
Against the Galileans,
he showed that he knew the contents of the Bible and mocked both its content and the teachings of Jesus.
He would also rebuild the Temple. Not because he liked Judaism but he saw it as a rebuttal of Old Testament prophecies.
His projects were moving quickly.
Julian died unexpectedly in battle with the Persians. A spear struck him and he died.
A legend says that his last words were “Thou hast conquered, Galilean”Slide13
Athanasius of Alexandria
Not much is known about the time and place of his birth.
Disciple of Alexander.
He had close contact with the monks in the desert.
Possibly even knew Anthony and Paul.
He learned a lot from these monks.
He wrote
Against the Gentiles and On Incarnation of the Word.
In these works, there is a deep conviction that the central fact of the Christian faith as well as human history, is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Slide14
Athanasius of Alexandria
The presence of God in history was the central element in the faith of Athanasius.
It is not surprising that when Arianism began it’s rise, he saw it as a grave threat to the heart of Christianity.
When Arian claimed that Jesus Christ was a created being, Athanasius saw this as unacceptable.
When Alexander was on his deathbed, everyone thought that Athanasius would become bishop. Instead he fled to the desert.
After much pleading, Athanasius became bishop of Alexandria
This all happened in 328, the same year Constantine revoked the sentence of banishing Arianism. Slide15
Athanasius vs. Arianism
Knowing what a formidable opponent Athanasius was, Eusebius of Nicomedia and others tried to ensure his downfall.
They would spread rumors about he dabbling in magic and he was a tyrant over his flock in Egypt.
Constantine gets word of this, orders him appear before a synod (gathering) at
Tyre
.
Athanasius was actually accused of killing
Arsenius
, a bishop of a rival group and had cut off his hand to us in magical rites. Slide16
Athanasius vs. Arianism
Athanasius went to
Tyre
and heard the charges.
But in the crowd was a cloaked man and Athanasius brought him forward.
He uncloaked the man and it was
Arsenius
.
One in the crowd who was convinced by the rumors said Athanasius may not have killed
Arsenius
, but he did cut off his hand.
After Athanasius uncovered an un-cutoff hand, they yelled, “it was the other hand!”
Athanasius would uncover the other hand and yell, “What kind of monster did you think
Arsenius
was? One with three hands?”
Laughter and Anger broke out in the crowdSlide17
Athanasius vs. Arianism
Athanasius goes to Constantinople to plead his case in front of the emperor
However, Eusebius had a ton of influence and made it almost impossible for him to have an audience before the emperor.
This didn’t stop Athanasius. He would one day jump out in front of Constantine’s horse and grabbed his bridle and would not let go until he was granted an audience.
This made Constantine see that Athanasius was dangerous and a fanatic Slide18
Athanasius vs. Arianism
Athanasius would be sent away after Eusebius claimed he could stop shipments of wheat from Egypt to Rome.
Constantine would die shortly thereafter and his three sons allow all the bishops to return to their sees.
Arianism had traveled to Alexandria and claimed that Athanasius was not a legitimate bishop.
Athanasius would be smuggled out of Alexandria and went to Rome. Slide19
Athanasius Exile
While in Rome, Athanasius would be able to present the Nicene position in person and quickly supported of the Roman clergy.
A synod would eventually gather and declare Athanasius the legitimate bishop of Alexandria and Gregory the usurper.
When
Constantius
II,
Constans
asked him for Athanasius to return to Alexandria.
However,
Constantius
only did that to gain support of his brother. Slide20
Athanasius
Constantius
was a convinced Arian and needed to rid himself of this champion of the Nicene faith.
When
Constantius
had full control of the Empire, the number of bishops who supported Arianism increased.
Constantius
tired to condemn him, the elders said no because it could only happen with a hearing,
Constantius
responded, “My will signed the condemnation of Athanasius. Those who refused were banished.” Slide21
Athanasius
Athanasius was supposedly summoned to the Empire, but the bishops said no such order came down.
After a group of troops, told Athanasius he could not return, he showed the imperial order that he could return.
Athanasius would be celebrating communion when troops would surround the church and suddenly burst in the room. Athanasius would order his people to sing Psalm 136 with this refrain: For His mercy
endureth
forever. Slide22
Athanasius
A group of bishops would surround him, because Athanasius refused to leave until his flock was safe, but he passed out.
It becomes unknown as to what happened since he passed out.
He lived for five years in the desert. But during those five years, Arianism grew.
The height of Arianism would come at a council gathered in
Sirmium
where they rejected the council of
Nicea’s
decision, orthodox leaders called it “the Blasphemy of
Sirmium
”
Under the rule of Julian, Athanasius would be allowed to go back to Alexandria. Slide23
Athanasius Last Years
Athanasius would come to the conclusion that many opposed the Nicene Creed and claimed that Jesus was not “of same substance” but “of similar substance”
In 362 A.D. Athanasius and his followers would declare that it was acceptable to refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as “one substance”
as long as it does not obliterate the distinction among the three.
381 A.D., the Council of Constantinople would rally support for the Council of
Nicea
. Slide24
Athanasius Last Years
Athanasius opposed Julian.
Julian wanted to remove Athanasius from Egypt.
Athanasius tried to flee to the desert but imperial troops sought to arrest him.
Tradition says that a ship going up the Nile was fixing to be overtaken by another ship. A passenger yelled “Have you seen Athanasius?” Athanasius was this passenger and he “Yes, he is just ahead of you and if you hurry you shall overtake him.” The other ship was lost. Slide25
Athanasius Last Years
Valens became Emperor after Jovian and was a staunch supporter of Arianism.
Athanasius left Alexandria in fear that the emperor would take measures against him.
However, Valens did not touch Athanasius because he didn’t want to take on the person who had bested Julian and
Constantius
.
Athanasius stayed in Alexandria until his death in 373 A.D. Slide26
The Great Cappadocians
In the years during and even after Athanasius there was a new generation of theologians devoted to the same cause.
These people lived in modern day Turkey and were theologians committed to the Word of God and Jesus Christ Slide27
Macrina
Macrina
was daughter of Basil and sister of Basil (the Great) and Gregory.
She was very much grounded in the Christian faith.
Her father was a famous lawyer and teacher of rhetoric .
Macrina
was twelve years old when her parents arranged for her to get married.
A suitor was picked, but he died unexpectedly.
Macrina
vowed to never marry again, vowed to live a life of celibacy and contemplation. Slide28
Macrina
Her Brother Basil had studied at a lot of places and became arrogant in his studies.
Basil would eventually be offered a position teaching rhetoric at Caesarea.
Macrina
intervened at this point and bluntly told her brother that he had become vain, acting as if he were a best inhabitant of the city and he should stop reading pagan others and read more Christian authors
Basil didn’t listen to his sister and basically said that she was unlearned. Slide29
Macrina
Basil and
Macrina’s
brother dies unexpectedly.
Basil was very close to his brother and his death shook him to his core.
It shook him so much that he resigned from his teaching position and all other honors and asked
Macrina
to teach him the secrets of religious life.
Macrina
says that true happiness is not found in the world, but in service of God. How? Break all ties from the world, dress and food should be simple and devote oneself to prayer. Slide30
Macrina
Macrina
, her mother and several women withdrew to
Annesi
.
Basil would leave and go to Egypt to learn about the secrets of the monastic lifestyle.
Macrina
was credited with the founding of Greek monasticism.
She would spend the rest of her life in
Annesi
. Shortly after Basil’s death, their brother Gregory of Nyssa would visit her. Slide31
Macrina
She became known as simply, “the Teacher”
Gregory would write
On the Soul and the Resurrection,
this would chronicle her life.
She would die in great peace, Gregory would perform the funeral and then continue the work of his sister and brother. Slide32
Basil the Great
Basil went to Egypt to study the monastic lifestyle.
He was friends with Gregory of
Nazinanzus
which would found a community for men.
Believed that community life was essential.
He would undertake the most disagreeable tasks in the community, wrote rule to be followed in the monastic life.
He would become known as the father of Eastern monasticism. Slide33
Basil the Great
He lived in retirement for a short time.
He had lived as a monk for 6 years, when he was forced against his will to become a presbyter.
He would had many difficulties with the bishop of Caesarea, rather than create more difficulties for himself, he would return to the monastic community.
Under the emperor Valens, Valens was a Arian and the bishop of Caesarea decided to set differences aside and have Basil help him in this fight against ArianismSlide34
Basil the Great
Basil arrived in Caesarea to bad conditions: crops were destroyed by weather, the rich were hoarding food.
Basil preached against this and sold his property in order to feed the poor
When the bishop of Caesarea died, a successor was hard to find because of the struggle between orthodox Christianity and Arianism.
The Arians found no weak point except for one in Basil’s life: his health Slide35
Basil the Great
Basil knew that there would be a showdown with the emperor who was Arian.
Valens, the emperor, would come and visit Caesarea.
He sent a group of troops to “prepare” the city.
One of those things was to subdue the bishop with promises and threats. But Basil did not go quietly.
After an encounter with the guard, Valens arrives and gives a gift to the city as a favor. Slide36
Basil the Great
In the last years of Basil’s life, he was able to devote his time to tasks as a bishop. These included:
Organizing and spreading the monastic life
Advancing the Nicene cause
Made significant contribution to the final victory of the Trinitarian doctrine. Slide37
Basil the Great
Basil would die before the Council of Constantinople in 381 where they would affirm the Nicene doctrine.