hippolytus (wrote about ad 200) · • attacked gnosticism and other errors in refutation of all...

Hippolytus (wrote about AD 200)• The most important 3rd-century theologian, his

Apostolic Tradition provides a picture of Romanchurch order and worship around the year 200.

• Attacked Gnosticism and other errors in Refutationof All Heresies.

• Criticized the dominant party in the Roman churchfor laxity of discipline and doctrinal unsoundness.

• Opposed forgiving those guilty of serious sinscommitted after baptism.

• His commentary on Daniel and Song of Solomonare the most ancient Bible commentaries that havesurvived to this day.

Cyprian (bishop from AD 248-258)

• Bishop of Carthage did not believe that the churchhad the power to grant absolution for sins to thosewho had lapsed during times of persecution.

• Laid the foundation for the development of theRoman Catholic hierarchy.

• Supported the college of bishops (the episcopate)as the authority in the church universal.

• Taught that the bishops answer only to God andthat criticism of a bishop was rebellion against God.

• Recognized the preeminence of Rome anddescribed the Roman bishop as the “first amongequals.”

Tertullian (160-220)• Born in Carthage, North Africa, Tertullian is thought to

have been a lawyer converted to Christianity late in thesecond century.

• Wrote many apologetic works in Latin and Greek.• Wrote Apologeticus (AD 197) addressing the Roman

governor of Carthage. Argued that Christians should notbe persecuted because they were loyal citizens of theempire and, besides, “the blood of the martyrs is seed.”

• Considered the founder of Latin (Roman Catholic)theology.

• Believed in episcopal authority and apostolic succession.His Against Praxeas (31 chapters) was an earlystatement of Trinitarian doctrine.

• Became a Montanist around 200 A.D.

Praxeas

• Monarchian from Asia Minor who lived in theend of the 2nd century/beginning of the 3rdcentury.

• Believed in the unity of the Godhead andvehemently disagreed with any attempt atdivision of the personalities or personagesof the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in theChristian Church

Montanism• Arose around AD 156, in Phrygia (central Asia

Minor), named after Montanus, a newly-convertedpagan priest, who claimed to be the Paracletepromised by Jesus.

• Was a reaction against institutionalism,formalism and worldliness in the church,desiring to return to the church’s earlier spiritualemphasis.

• North African Montanism adopted strict asceticismemphasizing fasting, celibacy, strict moral discipline,while Asian Montanism was more of a charismaticmovement, proclaiming a new era of propheticactivity for the church, heralding the imminentcoming of the New Jerusalem and the Millennium.

• Martyrdom was encouraged and believed to havesin-atoning power.

Tertullian160-220

We are but of yesterday, and wehave filled every place among you- cities, islands, fortresses, towns,

market-places, the very camp,tribes, companies, palace, senate,

forum… (Apologeticus 37)

Churchpersecutedby Rome

1 100 200 500300 400

Edict ofToleration

Marcion

Polycarp

Constantine

Diocletian

Paul

Peter

John Tertullian

• Division of Empire• Persecution of Christianity• Retirement (305)

Edict of Toleration

Christians may again exist andrebuild the houses in which theyused to meet, on condition that

they do nothing contrary to publicorder. (Quoted from Eusebius,History of the Church 8:17:5).

Constantine

• Battle for the MilvianBridge (312)

Constantine

• Battle for the MilvianBridge (312)

• “In this sign conquer”• Edict of Milan: Restated

& expanded the Edict ofToleration (313)

• Reunification of RomanEmpire

• Favored status (324)

Christianity as Favoured Religion

• Bishops given the right tojudge civil cases

• Sunday made into apublic holiday

• New Edict of Toleration:Christians not allowed topersecute pagans

Christianity as Favoured Religion• According to A Manual of Church History:•• "He exempted the Christian clergy from military

and municipal duties and their property fromtaxation (313); abolished various pagan customsand ordinances offensive to Christians (315);facilitated the emancipation of Christian slaves(315); legalized bequests to Christian churches, avery important measure (321); enjoined the civilobservance of Sunday, though only as the day ofthe Sun, and in connection with an ordinancerequiring the consultation of the soothsayer (321);contributed largely toward the building of Christianhouses of worship; and gave his sons a Christianeducation." p.306

Constantine• Baptism:• Not in his lifetime, however, baptized on

death bed• He was baptized by Eusebius - 377 A.D.

Constantine• Wand writes of his conversion in the History

Of The Early Church:•• "About Constantine’s personal religion the

most divers views have been, and still are,held. It is doubtful whether he was a genuineChristian who whole-heartedly accepted thefaith and teaching of the Church; or whetherhe was really a syncretist whose desire wasto establish a universal diestic religion; orwhether he was an astute statesman whobelieved he could find in Christianity the socialand moral force that would bring unity to hisempire…”

Constantine• Wand writes of his conversion in the History

Of The Early Church:•• "...by heredity Constantine was bound to the

worship of Jove and Hercules, but... after hebegan to achieve fame he showed a markedveneration for the sun, which seems to haverepresented to him the unity behind the manydifferent forms of religious belief... the manyscholars who adopt the third alternative pointto the ambiguous character of many ofConstantine's acts.."P.136

What should be the attitude ofChristians to the gaining of civic

or political power?

Before ConstantinePurity within the

church

After ConstantineLess purity within the

churchLong periods of

catechism trainingbefore receiving

baptism

Requirements tobecome a Christian

were minimized

Christians known fortheir strict lifestyle

Loosening of thestandards

Martyr mentalityamong the pious

Monastic mentalitybegan to emergeamong the pious

Donatus Magnus(Died 355)

• The Donatists arose in North Africa after thepersecutions of Diocletian in the fourthcentury and took a strict stand againstrestoration of lapsed members.

• The Donatists later appear to have mergedwith the Novatians (a group that supportedthe doctrine of the Trinity).

• What about those who have been baptized ormarried by fallen bishops?

Constantinople

Rome

Antioch

JerusalemAlexandria

Arius• Priest in Alexandria, Egypt• Taught that Christ was a

created being (Arianism)• Christ was the first created

being who then created allthe rest of creation

• Deposed by Alexander,bishop of Alexandria

Council of Nicaea• Met at Nicaea in May/June-August, 325• 300 Bishops in attendance (5 from

west; more than 100 from Asia Minor,about 30 from Syria-Phoenicia, fewerthan 20 from Palestine and Egypt)

• Alexander & Athanasius versus Arius

Constantinople Nicaea

The Nicene CreedWe believe in one God the Father

All-sovereign,Maker of all things.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,the Son of God,begotten of the Father,only-begotten,that is, of the substance of the FatherGod of God, Light of Light,true God of true God,begotten not made,of one substance with the Father…

The Nicene CreedBy whom all things were made, both which be in heavenand in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation camedown (from heaven) and was incarnate and was mademan. He suffered and the third day he rose again, andascended into heaven. And he shall come again tojudge both the quick and the dead. And (we believe) inthe Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say that there wasa time when the Son of God was not, or that before hewas begotten he was not, or that he was made of thingsthat were not, or that he is of a different substance ofessence (from the Father) of that he is a creature, orsubject to change or conversion - all that so say, theCatholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them."

The Nicene Creed

1. First exiling - excommunication from the church.2. Anathema - putting away from Christ.3. Is still recited in the Catholic Church as well as

by some Protestant bodies.

The Council at Nicaea• The other major issue at the Council was the

proper date for the celebration of Passover.• Many Christians especially those in Asia Minor

still commemorate Jesus' death on the 14th dayof the Hebrew month Nisan, the day the"Jewish" Passover lambs had been slain.

• In contrast, Rome and the Western churchesemphasize the resurrection, rather than thedeath of Jesus.

• They celebrate an annual Passover feast butalways on a Sunday.

The Council at Nicaea

• The Council rules that the ancient ChristianPassover commemorating the death of Jesusmust no longer be kept on pain of death.

• The Western custom is to be observedthroughout the Empire, on the first Sunday afterthe full moon following the vernal equinox.

• It is later to be called "Easter" when theGermanic tribes are converted en masse toChristianity." p. 21


• “…it was universally thought that it would beconvenient that all should keep the feast on oneday; for what could be more beautiful and moredesirable, than to see this festival, through whichwe receive the hope of immortality, celebrated byall with one accord, and in the same manner?”

• “It was declared to be particularly unworthy for this,the holiest of all festivals, to follow the custom (thecalculation) of the Jews, who have soiled theirhands with the most fearful of crimes, and whoseminds were blinded....


• “We ought not, therefore, to have anything incommon with the Jews, for the Savior hasshown us another way; our worship follows amore legitimate and more convenient course;and consequently, in unanimously adopting thismode, we desire, dearest brethren, to separateourselves from the detestable company of theJews, for it is truly shameful for us to hear themboast that without their direction we could notkeep this feast.”


• “How can they be in the right, they who, afterthe death of the Saviour, have no longer beenled by reason but by wild violence, as theirdelusion may urge them?

• They do not possess the truth in this Easterquestion; for, in their blindness and repugnanceto all improvements, they frequently celebratethe Passover twice in one year. We could notimitate those who are openly in error.”


Nicaea promulgated 220 disciplinary decrees...• Canons 15 and 16 forbid bishops, priests, and

deacons to involve themselves in the affairs ofanother diocese or locality.

• Canon 4 orders that all the other bishops of theprovince appoint bishops, and in case of difficulty, byat least three. The appointment was to be ratified bythe metropolitan bishop.

• Canon 5 declares that provincial synods are to beheld twice a year, presumably under themetropolitan, to examine excommunications inflictedby bishops....”

The Council at NicaeaNicea promulgated 220 disciplinary decrees...• "Some canons have to do with the dignity of the clergy:

the ordination of eunuchs (c.1), of those insufficientlytested since baptism or proved unworthy (c.2), of thosewho have denied the faith in persecution (c.10), andcohabitation of clerics with other than relatives or womenbeyond suspicion (c.3)....

• A two fold criterion is set up for the admission of heretics(c.19): those who have not erred on the doctrine of theTrinity, such as the Novatians, are to be reconciledwithout repetition of their baptism; the followers of Paul ofSamasata, however, are to be rebaptized, since it is notclear that they confess the Trinity.

• On Sundays and the days of Pentecost, the faithful are tostand for the liturgy, not kneel (c.20)." p.433

Docetism Christ only seemed to behuman

Ebionism Christ only seemed to bedivine

Arianism Christ was created by Godand then created all else

Apollinarianism Christ had no human spirit;Logos came and replaced it

Monarchianism Jesus became the Christ atHis baptism

Ebionism• A continuation of the Judaizing heresy against

which Galatians was written.• Originated in Palestine–disappeared in the fifth

century.• Some Ebionites had orthodox views on salvation,

but interpreted the duty of Christian living interms of obedience to Old Testament law.

• Others denied the virgin birth and the deity ofChrist and the atoning work of His sufferings,in an attempt to maintain a true monotheism.

• Emphasis on circumcision and sabbath-keeping.

• Venerated Peter, but rejected Paul and hiswritings.

Eutyches Human nature of Christabsorbed by the Logos

Monophysite Christ had only one nature

Monothelite Christ had no human will; onlyone divine will

Adapted from Robert Walton

Sabellianism One God reveals Himself inthree ways

NestorianLogos indwelt the person ofJesus making Christ a God-bearer

Monarchianism• Arising in Asia Minor, this doctrine taught the

“oneness of God” against the Trinitarian concept.• Some Monarchians taught that only the Father

possesses true personality, while the Son and theSpirit are impersonal attributes of the godhead.

• Known as Adoptionism, this view held that Jesuswas a mere man upon whom only the power orinfluence of the Father rested.

• It was taught by Paul of Samosata, bishop ofAntioch, who was condemned and deposed forheresy in 268.

Monarchianism• Other Monarchians (Sabellius, Noetus and

Praxeaus) believed in modalism, meaningthat the Father, Son and Holy Spirit weremerely modes of expression or activity ofGod.

• This was also called Patripassionism,suggesting that the Father suffered as the Son.

• The rise of Monarchianism occasioned muchdebate that helped to define the Trinitarianposition.

Church Councilsof the 4th and 5th Centuries

Council ofNicaea

Council ofConstantinople

Council ofEphesus

Council ofChalcedon

325

381

431

451

Jesus is of the samesubstance as the Father

Holy Spirit is co-eternal withthe Father and Son

Jesus is one person, fullydivine and fully human

The human and divinenatures of Jesus are

unmixed

Council of Chalcedon• 7th Canon - "Persons converted from heresies,…

shall not be received until they shall haveanathematized every heresy, and particularly that inwhich they were held; and afterwards those whoamong them were called communicants, havingthoroughly learned the symbols of the faith, andhaving been anointed with the holy chrism, shall socommunicate in the holy Mysteries.

• 16th - Gospels to be read on the Sabbath along withother scriptures (OT).

• 29th - dealt with Sabbath - equated it with"Christians must not judaize by resting on theSabbath, but must work on that day, ratherhonouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, restingthen as Christians. But if any shall be found to bejudaizers, let them be anathema from Christ."

Council of Chalcedon• 37th "It is not lawful to receive portions sent

from the feasts of Jews or heretics, nor to feasttogether with them."

• 38th "It is not lawful to receive unleavenedbread from the Jews, nor to be partakers oftheir impiety."

• 39th "It is not lawful to feast together with theheathen, and to be partakers of theirgodlessness."

• 51st "The nativities of Martyrs are not to becelebrated in Lent, but commemorations of theholy Martyrs are to be made on the Sabbathsand Lord's days."


FourChurch

Councils

1 100 200 500300 400

Edict ofToleration

Marcion Arius

Polycarp Athanasius

Constantine

Fall ofRome

Paul

Peter

John

What was the rationalefor the formation of themonastic movement?

St. Anthony251-356

• Christian in Egypt• Heard a sermon on Christ’s

words to the rich youngruler: “Go and sell all yourpossessions and follow me.”

• Gave away his possessionsand moved into the desert,living the life of a hermit

Simeon Stylites390-459

Removed himself tothe top of a pillar in

Syria

What are some of the Biblicalpros and cons of a solitary

monastic lifestyle?

Pachomius292-348

• Born in Thebes• Forcibly inducted into

military• Converted to Christianity• Followed example of

Anthony• Organized nine groups of

both male and femalemonasteries

Monasticism inthe West

Communal living,but usually withinsome proximity to

civilization

Monasticism inthe East

Desert living;sometimes in

community andsometimes alone

Emphasis onreaching out to

culture

Emphasis onescaping culture

Benedict of Nursia480-542

• Ran away to live in acave at the age of 14.

• Established a monasteryat Monte Cassino

• Rule of St. Benedict

Rule of St. BenedictIdleness is the enemy of thesoul. And therefore, at fixedtimes, the brothers ought to

be occupied in manuallabor; and again, at fixedtimes, in sacred reading

(Documents of the ChristianChurch, P.133).

Rule of St. BenedictThe brothers shall wait on

each other in turn so that noone shall be excused fromthe kitchen-work, unless hebe prevented by sickness,or by preoccupation with

some matter of greatnecessity… (Documents of

the Christian Church,P.132).

Rule of St. BenedictLet not the younger brothershave beds by themselves,but dispersed among the

seniors. And when they risefor the service of God let

them gently encourage oneanother, because the sleepy

ones are apt to makeexcuses (Documents of theChristian Church, P.129).

What are some of the Biblicalpros and cons of a communal

monastic lifestyle?

What sort of lifestyle changeswere necessary for one to

become a monk?

How did the monasticmovement contribute to the

Church and society?


FourChurch

Councils

1 100 200 500300 400

Edict ofToleration

Marcion Arius

Polycarp Athanasius

Constantine

Fall ofRome

Paul

Peter

John

Augustine

Pelagius

Origen


1 100 200 500300 400

Edict ofToleration

Marcion Arius

Polycarp Athanasius

Constantine

Fall ofRome

Paul

Peter

John

Augustine

Pelagius

Theodosius

Origen

How much diversity in mattersof Christian doctrine should the

church tolerate?

Acts 20:28Be on guard for yourselves

and for all the flock, among whichthe Holy Spirit has made youoverseers, to shepherd the churchof God which He purchased withHis own blood.

Acts 20:29-31I know that after my

departure savage wolves willcome in among you, not sparingthe flock; 30 and from among yourown selves men will arise,speaking perverse things, to drawaway the disciples after them. 31

Therefore be on the alert…

Constantinople

Rome

Antioch

JerusalemAlexandria

Ambrose of Milan• Governor of Milan• Civil strife over Arian

controversy upon deathof Bishop of Milan

• Ambrose called for peaceand was nominated asbishop though unbaptized

• Gave away his propertyand studied for ministry

339 - 397

Ambrose of Milan• Withstood the Arians• Justina, the regent for her

son, demanded that thechurch adopt Arianism.Ambrose refused.

• Brought congregationalsinging into the church

• ExcommunicatedTheodosius in 390

339 - 397

Jerome347-420

• Traveled to Syria andlearned Hebrew, latertraveled throughPalestine and Egypt

• Settled in Palestinewhere he devotedhimself to writing

• Translated the Bibleinto Latin (Vulgate)

John Chrysostom

• His nickname was Chrysostom(“golden-tongue”)

• Trained in law before studyingfor ministry

• He was a preacher at Antioch• Appointed to be bishop of

Constantinople• Known for preaching

exegetically from the Bible

347-407

School ofAlexandria

Sought the“deeper

meaning” by useof allegoricalinterpretation

School ofAntioch

Chrysostom,Theodore ofMopsuestia

AlexandriaClement of

Alexandria,Origen

AntiochEmphasized theplain sense ofthe meaning of

the Bible ininterpretation

John Chrysostom

• The Empress Eudoxia hadhim exiled because she wasdispleased with his preachingon Elijah and Jezebel.

• He was banished to Pontus.

347-407

Augustine354-430

• Mother was Monica,a Christian

• Teacher of rhetoricin Milan

• Admired Ambrosefor his speakingability

• “Take up and read”

Augustine354-430

Let us behaveproperly as in the

day, not in carousingand drunkenness, notin sexual promiscuityand sensuality, not

in strife andjealousy…

Augustine354-430

But put on theLord Jesus Christ,

and make noprovision

for the flesh inregard to its

lusts.(Romans 13:13-14)

Augustine354-430

• Bishop of Hippo,North Africa

• Confessions: Tellsstory of his comingto Christianity

• Rome sacked byVisigoths (410)

• City of God

The City of God• The Kingdom of God is not to

be found in today’s politicalarena

• The Christian’s true citizenshipis in the city of God

Accordingly, two citieshave been formed by twoloves: the earthly by thelove of self, even to thecontempt of God; the

heavenly by the love ofGod, even to the contempt

of self. The former, in aword, glories in itself, the

latter in the Lord.(City of God 16:28)

The earthly city, which does not live byfaith, seeks an earthly peace, and theend it proposes, in the well-ordered

concord of civic obedience and rule, isthe combination of men's wills to attainthe things which are helpful to this life.

The heavenly city, or rather the part of itwhich sojourns on earth and lives byfaith, makes use of this peace onlybecause it must, until this mortal

condition which necessitates it shallpass away.

(City of God 19:17)

Augustine versus PelagiusMan is born in sin

and spiritually deadMan is essentially

good

Man’s will wasaffected by the fall sothat, apart from theSpirit, he does not

choose God

Man’s will is neutral;he has the free will toeither follow God or

reject God

Salvation is a gift ofGod to undeserving

men

Salvation comes asmen imitate Christ

Predestination Free Will