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Influential Figures in Christianity Week 1 – February 15, 2015 Early Church Fathers (100-354) Justin Martyr

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Influential Figures in Christianity Week 1 – February 15, 2015 Early Church Fathers (100-354) Justin Martyr Influential Figures in Christianity Week 1 – February 15, 2015 Early Church Fathers (100-354) Justin Martyr Lived: 100-165~ Location: Born in Flavia Neapolis, Judaea (modern Nablus – 49 km north of Jerusalem), died in Rome Early life & basic info: Early Christian apologist and martyr Born to a pagan family with Latin and Greek background Early education left him unsatisfied by other belief systems; researched different philosophies Met an old man, likely a Syrian Christian, near the seashore, who talked with him about God and the reliability of the prophets over philosophers Renounced his former faith and background and rededicated his life to serving God Also known as Saint Justin in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches Famous for: Travelling throughout the land, spreading his knowledge of Christianity as the “true philosophy” During the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161) he started his own Christian school, teaching Tatian Known as an antagonist of heretics Life and works quoted by many other church fathers, including Irenaeus, Tertullian and Eusebius Most well-known text is The First Apology – focuses on the morality of the Christian life, details of its philosophy and practices, and provides arguments to convince the Roman emperor Antonius to abandon persecution against Christians – one of the earliest examples of Christian apology Regarded as the foremost interpreter of the theory of the Logos in the 2nd Century – concept has been important in establishing the doctrine of the divinity and morality of Jesus in the Trinity After disputing with Crescens (noted for attacking Christian beliefs under the guise of atheism), he was tried and beheaded Impact on Christianity: Helped to spread the Gospel during early Church days, and fought against heresy Paved the way for other Christian apologists with his written works Regarded as the foremost interpreter of the theory of the Logos in the 2nd Century Worked to end persecution against early Christians Considered a saint by Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches – feast day is June 1 Quotes: “To obey the commandments of our Saviour Jesus Christ is worthy neither of blame nor of condemnation.” – at his trial “Let it be understood that those who are not found living as He taught are not Christian- even though they profess with the lips the teaching of Christ.” Tertullian Lived: 160-225 Location: Born and died in Carthage, Africa, Roman Empire (modern day Carthage, Tunisia) Early life & basic info: Author and apologist Born Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, also called Tertullian Thought to be the son of a Roman Centurion (father was aide-de-camp) in the Roman army in Africa Thought to be a lawyer based on other writings and mentions of him Questionably a priest, but no official record, only that he was among church laity Scholar with an excellent education, wrote at least 3 books in Greek Converted to Christianity in his late 30’s – transformative, evidenced in his writings Later in life was attracted to the “New Prophecy” of Montanism – split from the church but still wrote against heresy, esp. Gnosticism Famous for: First Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature Notable early Christian apologist who fought against heresy Oldest Latin writer to use the term “Trinity” and give formal explanation of Trinity theology (tres Personae, una Substantia), later adopted at the First Council of Nicaea Called “Father of Latin Christianity” and “Founder of Western Theology” Wrote 31 works, covering the whole theological field of the time – apologetics against paganism, Judaism, polemics, discipline, morality of Christianity, transformative conversion, etc. Among his writings, Apologeticus addressed Roman magistrates and argued for freedom of religion as a human right, demanding fair trials for Christians Wasn’t canonized – later teachings contradicted apostles due to Montanist beliefs Impact on Christianity: Helped form Christian theology and fought against heretical beliefs that plagued the early church Worked to form theology around the Trinity, paving the way for further councils His many works impacted people of that time, paving the way for modern Christianity and theology Also helped to pave the way for the legalization of Christianity, and changed views so that others saw religious freedom as a human right Quotes: “The entire fruit is already present in the seed” “Nothing that is God’s is obtainable by money” “He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies” Constantine the Great Lived: 272-337 Location: Born in Naissus, Moesia Superior (modern Nis (neesh), Serbia), died in Nicomedia (modern Turkey) Early life & basic info: First Christian Roman Emperor Born (Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus) Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, Saint Constantine Abundant and detailed information about his life is often biased or influenced by propaganda of the time Born to an Illyrian family, father became Caesar, deputy emperor of the west in 293 – Constantine sent east where he rose through the ranks. Became Caesar in 306 (senior and Western Emperor), Augustus in 312 Educated at Diocletian’s court, focusing on Latin literature, Greek, and philosophy After emerging victorious in a series of civil wars against emperors Maxentius and Licinius, became emperor of the whole empire in 324 Debate over his conversion – was his mother a Christian, or did he adopt gradually over his life? Over 40 when he officially declared he was a Christian, but often used other religious symbolism on coins and monuments – sun worship even after other symbols were gone Famous for: Enacted many government reforms to strengthen the empire – administrative, financial , social and military – government restructured, new coinage became Byzantine and European currency for 1000+ years Responsible for many building projects and improvements Had a tolerant policy towards Christianity before his own conversion, eventually decreed a formal end to persecution, and returned to Christians what they had lost during this time First Christian Emperor, played influential role on proclaiming the Edict of Milan, which decreed tolerance for Christianity in the Empire Called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 – where Nicene Creed was professed by Christians Disliked risks that religious disputes brought to social stability – often used influence to establish an orthodoxy or consensus in councils that debated the nature of God Renamed Byzantium as Constantinople, capital of Byzantine empire for 1000+ years Built Church of the Holy Sepulchre at suspected site of Jesus’ tomb in Jerusalem – became holiest place in Christendom Impact on Christianity: First Roman Emperor to legalise Christianity and stop persecutions Throughout his rule he supported the Church financially, built basilicas, granted privileges to clergy, promoted Christians, etc. 313 – met with Licinius in Milan, where they developed Edict of Milan – removed penalties for professing Christianity (and all other religions), returned confiscated Church property Called the council that produced Nicene Creed – most widely used profession of faith used today Allowed sound doctrine and theology to move forward Famous building projects – Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Old Saint Peter’s Basilica Saint )in Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic and Anglican churches Basil the Great Lived: 330-379 Location: Born and died in Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern Kayseri, Turkey) Early life & basic info: Greek bishop of Caesarea, theologian who fought against heresy Called Basil the Great, Basil of Caesarea, and Saint Basil the Great in both Eastern and Western churches – feast day often Jan. 1 Born into wealthy family of Basil the Elder and Emmelia of Caesarea, a couple known for their piety – maternal grandfather was a Christian martyr, executed before Constantine I’s conversion Basil’s siblings are also often called saints – Macrina the Younger, Naucratius, Peter of Sebaste, and Gregory of Nyssa Formally educated in Cappadocia, where he met Gregory of Nazianzus, a lifelong friend – together they continued studies After education and travels, returned home to practice law Devoted his life to God when he met Eustathius of Sebaste, a charismatic bishop – abandoned his legal and teaching career to devote his life to God – distributed his fortunes to the poor during his travels Famous for: Greek bishop of Caesarea Mazaca, succeeding Eusebius Influential theologian who battled heresies in the early church, was a big supporter of Nicene Creed – fought against Arianism – able to balance theological convictions with political connections for a lasting influence Known for his care of the poor and underprivileged from his own fortunes – hot blooded and imperious, also generous and sympathetic – organized a soup kitchen during famine and drought Established guidelines for monastic life, which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labour – remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity Along with friend Gregory of Nazianzus (the orator) and brother Gregory of Nyssa (the thinker), referred to as Cappadocian Fathers (Basil was “the man of action”) – advanced development of early Christian theology – major contributions to definition of Trinity, held a higher view of women than many contemporaries Given the title Doctor of the Church – people who were important
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