Transcript Slide 1

The Post-Nicene Era
325-590 AD
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Arianism and Orthodoxy
Constantine
– New Capital
– Mediator
– Evangelist
– Sacral State
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Constantine’s Sons
Julian “The Apostate” (360-363)
Theodosius I, The Great (378-395)
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First genuinely orthodox emperor,
established Christianity as state religion
Presses Roman Senate to affirm Christ
Outlaws: attendance at pagan temples,
pagan sacrifices, idol worship, etc
Encourages destruction of pagan temples
– gives property to churches
Large numbers of pagans convert to
Christianity
Division of the Roman Empire
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Make Up of Church Radically Altered
– By end of Theodosius’ reign, Christianity and the
Roman state are inseparable
• Constantine’s reign – 10-20% of population Christian
• One century later – as much as 90% identify as Christian
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Church inundated with rapid flood of mass
“converts”
– Churches unable, unprepared, unwilling to exercise
discipline
– Three Responses to Spiritual Degeneration
• Separation
• Universalism
• Secularization
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Canonization Solidifies
Formal Christian Education Develops
– Catechetical classes
– Cathedral Schools (or Episcopal Schools)
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Ritualism Increases – festivals, holy days and
places, fetishism, relics, vestments
Holy Living Declines
Christian Architecture and Art Develop – artisans
supported by state, icons developed in Eastern
church, church buildings
Clerical Celibacy in West
Creeds and Councils Formalize Belief
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Gregory the Illuminator – Armenia
Frumentius (ca. 300-380) – Ethiopia (Coptic
Christianity)
British Isles
Ulfilas (ca. 335- ca. 400) – Goths and
Visigoths
Martin of Tours (ca. 335 – ca. 400) to south
Gaul
Gregory of Tours – Franks of Gaul
Patrick (ca. 389-461) – Ireland
When Giants Walked the Land
Martin of Tours
Gregory of Nazianzus
● Milan
Basil of Caesarea
Ambrose
Rome ●
John Chrysostom
Gregory of Nyssa
Jerome
●Hippo
Augustine
● Alexandria
Athanasius
Eusebius (ca. 260-ca. 339)
 Athanasius (296-373)
 Cappadocian Fathers
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• Successors of Athanasius
• Basil of Caesarea (Basil the Great; 330-379)
• Gregory of Nyssa (ca. 335-395)
• Gregory of Nazianzus (ca. 329-390)
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John of Antioch (Chrysostom) (347-407)
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“Martin Luther of the 4th C”
Influence
– Champion of the deity and humanity of Christ and
deity of Holy Spirit against Arianism
– Apologetics
– Life of St Anthony
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Pastoral Ministry
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Service over Politics
Theological Orientation
Self-Discipline and Austerity
Perseverance and Courage
John
Chrysostom
Chrysostom
347-407 AD
 Upbringing
and Education
 Antioch
 Constantinople
 Quintessential
Preacher
 Defender of Nicene Orthodoxy
 Prophet of Morality in Word and Deed
 Martyrdom
When Giants Walked the Land
Martin of Tours
Gregory of Nazianzus
● Milan
Basil of Caesarea
Ambrose
Rome ●
John Chrysostom
Gregory of Nyssa
Jerome
●Hippo
Augustine
● Alexandria
Athanasius
Ambrose (ca. 339-397)
 Jerome (347-420)
 Augustine (354-430)
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Highly educated and gifted
 Entrance into Ministry
 Strong Defender of Nicene Orthodoxy
 Gifted Leader and Administrator of Church
Affairs
 Church over State
 Hymnody
 Ministry to Augustine
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Jerome
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Education in Italy
Hermit in Syria
Establishes Monastery in Bethlehem
Prolific Linguist and Author
– Masters Greek and Hebrew
– Biographer
– Exegetical Commentator
– Influences every theological battle of his day including
Arianism
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Translates Latin Vulgate
Theological Weaknesses
Highly Influential in Church and Western History
 Upbringing
 Devotee to Manichaeism
 Sojourn in Milan and Conversion to Christianity
 Bishop of Hippo Regius (North Africa)
 Labored Against Manichees, Donatists, Pagans,
Pelagius
 Prolific Author on Christian Doctrine
 Theological Legacy
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Council of Ephesus (431)
Council of Chalcedon (451)
– Against Arius, Jesus was fully divine: “truly God … perfect
in Godhead … begotten of the Father before the ages”
– Against Apollinarius, Jesus was fully human: “truly man …
perfect in manhood” and born of the Virgin Mary
– Against Nestorius, Jesus was one person, not two. The
deity and humanity are: “not parted or divided into two
persons” but Christ is “one person and one being”
– Against Eutyches, Jesus’ humanity was not blurred with
his deity, but both natures of Christ remained distinct
 Concerning
Jesus deity and humanity:
“The difference of the natures is in no
wise taken away by reason of the union,
but rather the properties of each are
preserved … [Christ is] made known in
two natures without confusion, without
change, without division, without
separation.”
 Council
of Ephesus (431)
 Council of Chalcedon (451)
 Fall of Roman Empire (476)
• Irremediable Societal Decay
• Convulsive Internal Political Upheaval
• Military Meltdown