Jesus and the Apostles 3 BC – 70 AD

Fullness of Time for The birth of Christ

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5 KJV 1. Koine Greek 2. Pax Romana 3. Roman Roads 4. Special status of Jews in Rome 5. Peak and failure of Philosophy

Age of Catholic Christianity I 70-312 AD

The Apostolic Fathers

Types of Church Fathers

1. Apostolic Fathers (c. 95-150) 2. Apologists (c. 140–200) 3. Polemicists (c. 180–225) 4. Scientific Theologians (c. 225–460)

The Bishop?

Clement of Rome

a. Wrote 2 nearly canonical works I and II Clement b. Leading elder of Rome c. Fourth Pope

Ignatius of Antioch

1. Only seen at the end of his life 2. Arrested and martyred for Christ 3. Taken to Rome writing seven letters along the way 4. Martyred c. 110AD

Ignatius of Antioch

Key Foci of His Writings 1. Struggle against false teachers 2. Unity/Structure of the church 3. Obedience to Bishops 4. His impending death

Polycarp

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Bishop of Smyrna Disciple of John the Apostle Wrote a letter to the Philippian Church

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Martyred Feb. 22, c.155AD

Age of Catholic Christianity II 70-312 AD

Persecution

The Spread of Christianity 1. God 2. Burning Conviction 3. Need in the hearts of people 4. Love for one another 5. Persecution

Reasons for Christian Persecution 1. Jewish Fears 2. Roman Politics 3. Social Reasons 4. Economic Reasons 5. Religious Reasons

The Early Persecutions 64-100 AD Nero 64-68 AD

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Burning of Rome

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Christian torches

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Peter and Paul executed

Official Persecution

Diocletian 284-305

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260-303 Christians had a respite

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Diocletian, a previously neutral emperor, writes 3 edicts calling for persecution

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303 Complete and systematic persecution of Christianity, the worst yet experienced

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Persecution targeted the church infrastructure

Official Persecution

Galerius

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Prime force behind Diocletian persecutions Ruled half of the Empire, under Diocletian Issued an edict requiring all men women and children to sacrifice to the gods, and all food in the markets to be sprinkled with sacrificial wine.

*Positive Effects of • Persecution

“Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” – Tertullian

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Purification of the church Spreading of the gospel Canonization of scripture Provided Apologia for the faith

*Negative Effects of Persecution 1. People got dead 2. The problem of the lapsed 3. The overemphasis on martyrdom 4. Lack of ability to leave a literary legacy

Age of Catholic Christianity III Heresy-Orthodoxy-The Canon

Requirements for Canonization 1. Power over lives of people 2. Must be used in Worship 3. Direct connection to apostle 4. Written in or around Palestine

Marcion c.110-160

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Heretic Son of a bishop Excommunicated for heresy, contempt of authority and maybe seducing a virgin Studied under the Gnostic Cerdo Wrote Antithesis Met Polycarp

Marcion’s Beliefs

1. OT God and Jews were Evil 2. NT God gracious and good 3. Wrote an 11 book Canon including a mangled Luke and 11 of Paul’s epistles

Mani 215-277

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Most influential Gnostic

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Persian philosopher

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Systematized Manichæism creating a long lasting system

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Martyred in Persia 277AD

Beliefs of Manichæism

1. Signaculum Oris – Purity in word and diet 2. Signaculum manuum – Renunciation of material pursuits 3. Signaculum sinus – celibacy 4. 2 classes – “Perfect” and “Hearers” 5. 12 Apostles->72 Bishops->72 Disciples

Montanus

Mid-Late 2 nd Century

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Heterodox - Semi Heretic From Asia Minor Somnambulistic Ecstasies Inspired organ of the Paraclete Had 2 main Prophetesses Priscilla & Maximilla

Montanists, Phrygians, and Cataphrygians

1. The Pneumatics “Spiritual Christians” 2. Combated Gnosticism 3. Asceticism 4. No forgiveness for mortal sin post-baptism 5. Miraculous Gifts - especially prophecy 6. Universal Priesthood 7. Millenarianism

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus

Tertullian c.155-230

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Born in Carthage Married and Celibate Eminent Theologian/Apologist 1 st to use term Trinity Wrote Apologeticus Attacked Gnostics Became a Montanist

Irenæus c.130-202

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Disciple of Polycarp 1 st to use the entire New Testament The enemy of error and schism Anti-Gnostic – He wrote a 5 volume

Refutation of Gnosticism

Origenes Adamantius

Origen c.182-251

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Studied under any and everyone even heretics 3 level method of scripture interpretation: literal, moral, and spiritual The 3 rd 202-232 leader of the Alexandrian School from Started his own school in Cæsarea Very, Very, VERY Ascetic Tortured under Decius then died after release

Age of the Christian Roman Empire I Constantine

The Best and Worst thing ever to Happen to Christianity

AKA Caius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Claudius Constantius Magnus

Effects of Constantine Winning

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Edict of Toleration with Co-Regent Licinius Christian clergy exempt from military/municipal duty Abolished offensive pagan customs Emancipation of Christian slaves Legalized bequests to catholic churches Sunday -> dies Solis (day of the Sun) Contributed to the building of Churches

Positive Effects of the Christiainized Roman Empire 1. Increased respect for women 2. Better treatment of slaves/freedom for Christian slaves 3. Gladiator games slowed if not stopped 4. More justice in Roman legislation 5. Missionary work accelerated

Negative Effects of the Christianized Roman Empire 1. Pseudo-Conversion to maintain power 2. Interference of government with Church affairs 3. Weakening of the faith 4. Persecution of Pagans/Heretics