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

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 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 Justin in the Roman , 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 , 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  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  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 , 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 (tres Personae, una Substantia), later adopted at the  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 (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 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 ’s Basilica  Saint )in Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic and Anglican churches

Basil the Great

Lived: 330-379

Location: Born and died in Caesarea, (modern , Turkey)

Early life & basic info:

 Greek of Caesarea, theologian who fought against heresy  Called Basil the Great, , and Saint Basil the Great in both Eastern and Western churches – feast day often Jan. 1  Born into wealthy family of and Emmelia of Caesarea, a couple known for their piety – maternal grandfather was a , executed before Constantine I’s conversion  Basil’s siblings are also often called – , Naucratius, , and  Formally educated in Cappadocia, where he met Gregory of , 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 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  Along with friend (the orator) and Gregory of Nyssa (the thinker), referred to as (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 of the Church – people who were important for their contributions to theology and doctrine – he earned this title because of his fight against Arianism and theology related to the Trinity  Preaching and theological writings, many of which have been preserved, including On the Holy Spirit

Impact on Christianity:

 Example of compassion for the poor and generosity with his wealth – sets an example to all Christians to this day – saw value in both study and action  Important contributions to our theology, especially regarding the Trinity, along with Cappadocian Fathers  One of the most influential figures on monastic life – balance between work and prayer “Father of Eastern Monasticism”  In Greek tradition, he brings gifts to children on January 1, like Santa Quotes:

 “Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors?”  ‘Strive to attain to the greater virtues, but do not neglect the lesser ones. Do not make light of a fall even if it be the most venial of faults; rather, be quick to repair it by repentance, although many others may commit a large number of faults, slight and grievous, and remain unrepentant.”

Jerome

Lived: 347-420

Location: Born in Stridon, Dalmatia (near modern day Ljubljana (lee-oob-lee-anna)) died in Bethlehem

Early life & basic info:

 Born Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, also known as or Saint Jerome  Pursued rhetorical and philosophical studies, also learned Latin and Greek  During his education he engaged in wanton behaviour, for which he suffered terrible bouts of repentance afterwards  Despite early skepticism, eventually converted – travelled and lived in Rome and Trier where he made many Christian friends  During a time of travel, he had a vision to lay aside secular studies and devote himself to God – desire for a life of ascetic penance (giving up worldly pleasures) – began studying under Gregory of Nazianzus

Famous for:

 Illyrian Latin Christian priest, theologian and historian  Surrounded by a circle of well-educated women in Rome, his letters to them were widely read and distributed in Christian empire  Given the title  Translating the Bible into Latin (called the ) – to this, all Latin translations were based on Septuagint (Greek), not Hebrew – he considered the Hebrew text to be the inspired text of the OT  Extensive list of writings – last 34 years of his life focused on incessant literary production, including commentaries, catalogue of Christian authors, histories, translations, letters, etc. – second most voluminous writer after Augustine

Impact on Christianity:

 Impact on our theology from his many writings which were heavily circulated  Sets an example of interacting and working with women as equals  His Latin translation became the official Latin Bible of the , still widely used today  Considered a saint by Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican Churches – Sept. 30 is his memorial day

Quotes:

 “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Til your good is better and your better is best.”  “Be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied.”  “True friendship ought never to conceal what it thinks.”

Augustine of Hippo

Lived: 354-430

Location: Born in , Numidia (modern day Souk Ahras, Algeria), died in , Numidia (modern day Annaba, Algeria)

Early life & basic info:

 Theologian and philosopher  Also known as Saint Augustine or Saint Austin  Born to a devout Christian mother and Pagan father who converted to Christianity on his deathbed, with Berber, Latin and Phoenician ancestry  Studied Latin literature and pagan belief practices in his youth, continued later education in Carthage, studying rhetoric  First insight into the nature of sin occurred when he and a number of friends stole fruit they did not want from a neighbourhood garden  Raised Christian, but left the church to follow the Manichaean religion, living a hedonistic lifestyle and associating with young men who boasted about bisexual exploits  Age 19 began a affair that lasted 13 years and gave him a son – ended relationship to marry an heiress as his mother wished, but marriage ended up falling through  Won a as a rhetoric professor at the imperial court of Milan – prestigious post gave access to political careers  Converted to Christianity in mid 30s – his mother’s faith, a friend’s influence and his own studies urged him towards Christianity – came in contact with St. of Milan a master of rhetoric, who welcomed him “as a father” – Augustine loved him as a teacher and friendly man and was led to faith by him, after feeling called to read Romans

Famous for:

 Early Christian theologian and philosopher whose writings influenced the development of and Western philosophy  Considered one of the most important and influential Church fathers due to his writings  Became bishop of Hippo Regius, a position he remained in until death  Influencing Western Christianity and philosophy through his many written works and preaching (over 350 sermons still preserved)  Noted for combating the Manichaean religion which he previously adhered to, working tirelessly to convert people of Hippo to Christianity  Remembered as a man who ate sparingly, worked tirelessly, despised gossip, shunned temptations of the flesh, and exercised financial stewardship  Sold his patrimony and gave money to the poor, keeping only his house which he converted to a monastic foundation  Major works: Confessions, City of God, On Christian Doctrine  Helped formulate the doctrine of , , and grace of Christ  One of the first Christian ancient Latin authors with a clear vision of theological anthropology (study of man in relation to God)  Recognised as a Doctor of the Church, and patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, sore eyes, and many cities  Considered a saint by Catholic and Anglican churches, June 15 feast day

Impact on Christianity:

 Huge influence on theology in the West, including many modern theologians and individuals such as John Piper, , , and Hannah Arendt  Books are still widely read and quoted in universities and churches, especially Confessions  Pastor Stef quotes him all the time!  Theology and writings on many topics continue to influence us today  Father of the autobiography genre

Quotes:

 “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the signs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”  “Oh Lord, help me be pure, but not yet.”  “Love God and do as you please.”