Ken Baker: Wisdom Christian College Student Forum

Another instalment of academic sites of particualr interest to the postgraduate class. (more…)

Two of the key people that we have considered in this module are  Irenaeus and Athanasius. This week we hope to wrap our discussion comparing and contrasting the work of each.

Here are the relevant texts on  athanasius-of-alexandria.doc and irenaeus.doc plus an opportunity to read through Athanasius’ classic work de-incarnatione-athnasius.doc

Finally, here’s some Key People links for your edification: (more…)

This module covers the period 100 AD to 325 AD. The start date is (approximately) the close of the New Testament period. Though we refer back to NT writings, our main concern is with the next generations. The close date is the date of the Council of Nicea, under the Emperor Constantine, when Christianity entered a new era, having become the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Please check http://kenbaker.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/ech-lecture-5.ppt for an overview lecture, introducing you to some of the major writers, leaders, events and places involved in the ECH period. Please check out the many articles on this subject on this site by following the Early Church History category in the right hand side toolbar. Go to http://kenbaker.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/early-church-history-men-and-movements/  for a handy timeline of the period. Here is a brief schedule for the course:

1. The NT period: Men and Movements. The missionary movement from Acts 1:8/ Johannine communities in Asia Minor. Ancient non-Biblical witnesses: Pliny, Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius.

2. The next generation: The writings of Ignatius/ Polycarp/ Pliny. Early local persecution.

3. The “Ism”  Trail: Sketching the heresies of two centuries: Ebionitism/ Docetism/ Arianism/ Adoptionism/ Gnosticism/ Montanism…and the “mainstream” creeds from Irenaeus to Athanasius.

4. Introducing the Assignment: Charting the development of ideas about Jesus: “Who do people say that I am?” The assignment of this module is to trace the developing ideas about Jesus from 100AD to 325AD. Some of the articles of the site refer to this in enough detail to get you started. Of particular importance are those under the Christology category, though bear in mind that you are writing a historical rather than theological account.

The range of NT discussion about Jesus/ Ignatius/ Reveiwing “heretical” teachers/ Arius and Athansius.

5. Reviewing the material so far. We will spend one session reviewing the “story so far” introducing new context.

6 The work of Irenaeus/Later persecution

7 Sabellius/ Tertullian/ Origen

8. Diocletian and the division of Empire. 

9. Athanasius and Arius

10. Nicea and beyond: Constantine’s settlement/ Looking ahead.

This week’s seminar/ lecture ech-lecture-5.ppt is something of an overview of the entire period (100-325 AD Christ to Constantine) so we will be revisiting some territory already covered, and hopefully laying down the parameters for your assignment on the developing ideas about Jesus. (Check the category Assignments 07 for more detail) .It’s been good to read one or two assignment outlines via email. Keep ‘em coming!

1. Practices of the early church
   1. Baptism
      1. “Catechumens” were men and women who had declared their interest in Christ, and had come under training by the church, but had not yet been baptized. For various reasons, usually related to poor doctrine (e.g. believing that forgiveness after baptism was much harder than the forgiveness given in baptism), people might remain catechumens for a long time. Even if they were eager, they might be delayed by the practice of putting off baptisms until Easter or another important season, or by the church’s suspicion (in times of persecution) of newcomers.
      2. Justin’s description (c. 150): “I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ . . . As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” . . . And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, he who is illuminated is washed.” (First Apology 61) (more…)

A number of queries about the assignments which should be completed by Christmas, so just a quick post to check that we’re all singing from the same hymnsheet(!). (more…)

MEN and MOVEMENTS: An EARLY CHURCH HISTORY TIMELINE 

c95 AD Gospel of John completed; Clement’s letter to the Corinthians written 

100 Last books of NT (probably 2 Peter, 1 John) written. Patristic period begins  

110 Letters & Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch 

144 Marcion is excommunicated by the Church of Rome 

151 1st Apology of Justin written. Justin later martyred ca. 165 

155 Martyrdom of Polycarp; approximate beginning of Montanism 

185 Irenaeus writes Against Heresies; Clement takes over the catechetical school at Alexandria to be followed 20 years later by Origen 

200 c.Sabellius teaches that Father & Son are the same person(modalism)

 206 Tertullian, the first theologian to write in Latin, becomes a Montanist 

250 Origen suffers imprisonment & torture in the persecution of Decius  

292 Emperor Diocletian divides Roman Empire into East and West. 

303 Great persecution of Diocletian begins lasting in the West till 306 and in the east till 313. 

313 Constantine legalizes Christianity & all religions in the Edict ofMilan 

325 Council of Nicea  (more…)

By popular demand I am posting the essay on heresies-in-the-early-churh.doc with due acknowledgement to Robert Jones who has written a number of first class Church History courses for adult Sunday School classes. Check out his work by following the links in the document.

A Rick Wade post (PROBE)

There are several important and interrelated reasons for the persecution of the early church.

First was the problem of identity. Christianity was identified at first with Judaism, but people quickly came to see it as a different religion. Jews were left alone for the most part; it seemed best to Rome to just confine them and leave them alone. Christianity, however, was a strange, new cult, and it began to spread across people groups and geographical boundaries.{1} People felt threatened by this oddball new religion.

The next problem was with the religious activities of the Christians, with what they did do and didn’t do.

In the days of the Roman empire, the worship of pagan gods and the emperor was a part of everyone’s life. Two problems arose because of this. First, because they didn’t participate in pagan rituals but tended to keep to themselves, Christians were considered anti-social. When the imperial police took an interest in them, they became more secretive which added fuel to the fire. They became associated with the collegia–clubs or secret societies–and leaders were suspicious of these groups because of the threat of sedition.{2} Second, since Christians wouldn’t join in with the religious activities which were believed to placate the gods, they became a threat to the very well-being of the community. Writing in about A.D. 196, Tertullian said, “The Christians are to blame for every public disaster and every misfortune that befalls the people. If the Tiber rises to the walls, if the Nile fails to rise and flood the fields, if the sky withholds its rain, if there is earthquake or famine or plague, straightway the cry arises: ‘The Christians to the lions!’”{3} (more…)

1. New Testament Canonical Information

• Canon of Scripture
• The Christian Canon, by Don Closson
• The Old Testament Canon of Scripture

2. The Apostolic Fathers

• 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians [ca 96]: A formal letter written on behalf of the Roman Christian community urging Christians who had been rebelling against church authority to be submissive and obedient. Tradition attributes it to Clement, allegedly one of the first bishops of Rome.
• 2nd Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians [ca 150]: Sermon thought not to be the writing of Clement himself. Advocates sound view of Christ, the resurrection, and holiness unto God. Enter into battle against the ways of this world, work out salvation through strength in Christ.
• The Epistle of Barnabas [ca 130]: This letter, probably not authored by the NT Barnabas, repudiates the claims of Jewish Christians at the time who advocated adhering to observance of the Mosiac Law. Argued that Christ provided salvation and man is no longer bound by the Law. Compares holy life to unrighteousness.
• Didache (Teaching of the Lord through the Apostles): Eleventh century MS discovered by Philotheus Bryennios. The Didache consists of various parts, starting with the “Two Ways” ethical instruction (see Barn 18-21) and including community rules for liturgical practices and leadership conduct, before ending with a short apocalyptic section. While some of the material might go back before the year 100, the current form of the document is probably mid-second century at earliest.
• The Shepherd of Hermas [ca. 150]: Written by Hermas, who is believed to be brother of Pius, the Bishop of Rome. The Shepherd of Hermas is an apocalyptic document (in the sense that it claims to be revealed), modelled after the Book of Revelation. It deals with practical matters of church purity and discipline in second century Rome.
• The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians [ca 130?]: Polycarp was a church leader (bishop) in Smyrna, Asia Minor. Exhorted the Philippians to holy living, good works, steadfast faith. Interested in ministry and practical aspects of daily life of Christians.
• The Martyrdom of Polycarp: The earliest preserved Christian martyrology, probably from the latter part of the second century (not too long after the event). Records the tradition of the trial and execution (burned at the stake) of Polycarp.
• The Writings of Ignatius: Bishop of Antioch in Syria [ca 1-2 century] martyred in Rome by beasts (ca 105-116). On his way to Rome, he visits and then writes to various churches, warning and exhorting them. He also writes ahead to Rome, and writes to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Warned the church against heresies that threatened peace and unity, opposed Gnosticism and Docetism. In the Epistle to Smyrna, insisted Christ came in the flesh not just in spirit.

  • To the Ephesians
  • To the Magnesians
  • To the Trallians
  • To the Romans
  • To the Philadelphians
  • To the Smyrnaeans
  • To Polycarp

3. Patristic Texts

• The Epistle of Mathetes (Believer/Disciple) to Diognetus: This Apologetic treatise? written perhaps ca 200, presents a rational defense of Christianity and shows the folly of idolatry. The document also discusses Christian influence in the world.
• Origen (ca AD 185-254):

  • Origen’s Commentary on the Gospel of John. Commentary from the Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins.
  • Origen’s Contra Celsum Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Book 6 Book 7 Book 8. Commentary from the Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins.

• The Writings of Tertullian: Our earliest extensively preserved Latin Christian author [140-230], who aligned himself around 207 with the “Montanist” Christian movement that was considered “heretical” by the representatives of emerging mainstream Christianity.

  • The Apparel of Women (AD 197)
  • To the Martyrs (AD 197)
  • Spectacles (AD 197)
  • Prayer (AD 200)
  • Patience (AD 203)

• The Writings of Cyprian: Cyprian [200-258] was the Overseer of the church in Carthage, Northa Africa, during a period of fierce persecution. After many years of persecution during which the church existed underground he was captured and executed by the Romans.

  • To Demetrian
  • To Donatus
  • The Dress of Virgins
  • That Idols Are Not Gods
  • Jealousy and Envy
  • The Lapsed
  • The Lord’s Prayer
  • Exhortation to Martyrdom, to Fortunatus
  • Mortality
  • The Good of Patience
  • The Unity of the Catholic Church
  • Works and Almsgiving

• Athanasius: On the Incarnation. Athanasius [270-336] was the overseer of Alexandria after the death of Alexander. He worte several theological treatises and was the chief defender of the Nicene Creed.