Field of Study Historical Studies Course Proposal L
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Future Views of the Past: Models of the Development of the Early Church
Andrews University Seminary Student Journal Volume 1 Number 2 Fall 2015 Article 3 8-2015 Future Views of the Past: Models of the Development of the Early Church John Reeve Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/aussj Part of the Christianity Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the History of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Reeve, John (2015) "Future Views of the Past: Models of the Development of the Early Church," Andrews University Seminary Student Journal: Vol. 1 : No. 2 , Article 3. Available at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/aussj/vol1/iss2/3 This Invited Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Andrews University Seminary Student Journal by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Andrews University Seminary Student Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1-15. Copyright © 2015 John W. Reeve. FUTURE VIEWS OF THE PAST: MODELS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY CHURCH JOHN W. REEVE Assistant Professor of Church History [email protected] Abstract Models of historiography often drive the theological understanding of persons and periods in Christian history. This article evaluates eight different models of the early church period and then suggests a model that is appropriate for use in a Seventh-day Adventist Seminary. The first three models evaluated are general views of the early church by Irenaeus of Lyon, Walter Bauer and Martin Luther. Models four through eight are views found within Seventh-day Adventism, though some of them are not unique to Adventism. -
The Problems of Paul
Chapter 6 The Problems of Paul Paul of Tarsus graces us with the earliest Christian sources, with 1 Thessalo- nians usually dated to 49 ce, and his later works appearing around the early 60s ce.1 Nevertheless, like the others writers, Paul is not an eyewitness, so none of his letters are primary sources about Jesus’ allegedly earthly life. He also gives us plenty of reasons to doubt his claims, so that we really can’t be sure if we should trust what he has to say about a historical Jesus.2 For ex- ample, Paul indicates that the end justifies the (deceitful) means and seems to outright admit how guileful he is.3 However, Paul has virtually nothing to say about the Historical Jesus anyway. Furthermore, what he does say about Christ could be the key to unlocking the mysteries of Christianity’s origins. There are hints throughout Paul’s writings, and other epistles like the pseudo-Pauline book of Hebrews,4 that the earliest Christians believed not in an Earthly Jesus, but in a purely Celestial Jesus. But first, we shall take a look at how various early Christians had vastly different views about Jesus. 1 The Docetic/Marcionite Jesus It already seems obvious that the state of the sources gives us sufficient rea- son to doubt Jesus’ historical existence. But certain interpretations of Paul’s writings indicate that a more aggressive case against Jesus’ history can be ad- vanced. It is interesting to speculate on the possibility that early Christians (such as Paul) did not see Jesus in the literal, fleshly, Earth-visiting way that 1 Ehrman (dje), pp. -
Early-Christianity-Timeline.Pdf
Pagan Empire Christian Empire 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 1 AD Second 'Bishop' of Rome. Pupil of Student of Polycarp. First system- Bishop of Nyssa, brother of Basil. Pope. The Last Father of the Peter. Author of a letter to Corinth, atic theologian, writing volumi- Bishop of Original and sophisticated theologi- model of St Gregory the Church. First of the St John of (1 Clement), the earliest Christian St Clement of Rome nously about the Gospels and the St Irenaeus St Cyprian Carthage. an, writing on Trinitarian doctrine Gregory of Nyssa an ideal Scholastics. Polymath, document outside the NT. church, and against heretics. and the Nicene creed. pastor. Great monk, and priest. Damascus Former disciple of John the Baptist. Prominent Prolific apologist and exegete, the Archbishop of Constantinople, St Leo the Pope. Able administrator in very Archbishop of Seville. Encyclopaedist disciple of Jesus, who became a leader of the most important thinker between Paul brother of Basil. Greatest rhetorical hard times, asserter of the prima- and last great scholar of the ancient St Peter Judean and later gentile Christians. Author of two St Justin Martyr and Origen, writing on every aspect stylist of the Fathers, noted for St Gregory Nazianzus cy of the see of Peter. Central to St Isidore world, a vital link between the learning epistles. Source (?) of the Gospel of Mark. of life, faith and worship. writing on the Holy Spirit. Great the Council of Chalcedon. of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Claimed a knowledge and vision of Jesus independent Pupil of Justin Martyr. Theologian. -
Orthodoxy & Heresy in the Early Church
ORTHODOXY & HERESY IN THE EARLY CHURCH HIST9418/THEO9418 SPRING 2012 REX D. BUTLER (504) 282-4455 ext. 3214 Dodd 105 [email protected] I. Mission Statement The mission of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries. II. Core Values Focus New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has five core values—Doctrinal Integrity, Spiritual Vitality, Mission Focus, Characteristic Excellence, and Servant Leadership. Doctrinal Integrity is the primary core value addressed in this seminar. The Core Value Focus for 2015-2016 is Mission Focus. Moreover, understanding the relationship between biblical exposition, social, cultural, and political context, and the theological confessions of the church are vital for fulfilling the Great Commission. III. Curriculum Competencies Addressed NOBTS services seven key competencies in its academic programs—Biblical Exposition, Christian Theological Heritage, Discipleship Making, Interpersonal Skills, Servant Leadership, Spiritual and Character Formation, and Worship Leadership. Christian Theological Heritage is the key competency addressed in this course. IV. Course Description This seminar examines the development of and relationship between orthodoxy and heresy in the early church. Topics include early heresies, such as Gnosticism, Marcionism, and Montanism; early church fathers and writings; and the responses of the church to heresy. Special attention is also given to contemporary discussions about orthodoxy and heresy with the intention of developing an effective apologetic response to critics of traditional views of Christianity. 2 V. Objectives By the completion of this course, • Students should know and comprehend the major leaders, movements, doctrines, selected heresies, dates, and geographical locations within the early church during the first three centuries. -
Ecumenical Councils Preparing for Next Week (Disciple 6–Eucharist 1)
January St. Dominic’s RCIA Program Disciple The Church: 15 History & Teaching 4 Goal • Having switched the Disciple 4 & 5 weeks, we looks at an overview of the Sacraments last week (Disciple 5), and explored the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. These Sacraments are two of the three that initiate us into the Church community, and into Christ’s body and mission. This week we’ll continue to unpack the meaning of Church by looking broadly at its history one the last 2000 years. We’ll also explore it’s role as Teacher. How does the Church function in and through history? How does God walk with the Church through it all? Agenda • Welcome/Housekeeping (10) • Questions & Answers • Introduction to the Rosary (15) Discussion (15): • If the Church is The Body of Christ, what does this mean for Christ’s presence in the world through history and in the world today? • What do I admire about the Catholic Church’s activity in history? Does any part of the Church’s activity in history disturb or upset me? • How do I (might I) listen to what the Church has to say today? What is my approach/attitude to the Church as “Teacher”? • Presentation: The Church: History (35) • Break (10) • Presentation: The Church: Teaching & Belief (30) • Discussion (time permitting): • What is special to this moment in history? • What is the Good News of Christ & the Church that speaks to this moment in history? • How can the body of Christ proclaim & witness the Gospel and walk with others today? Housekeeping Notes • Rite of Acceptance: February 10th at the 11:30am and 5:30 Masses. -
Docetism in the Early Church
Docetism in the Early Church T e Quest for an Elusive Phenomenon Edited by Joseph Verheyden, Reimund Bieringer, Jens Schröter and Ines Jäger Mohr Siebeck E-ofprint of the author with publisher’s permission. Joseph Verheyden is Professor of New Testament Studies in the Faculty of T eology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven. Reimund Bieringer is Professor of New Testament Studies in the Faculty of T eology and Reli- gious Studies at KU Leuven. Jens Schröter is Professor of New Testament Studies in the Faculty of T eology at the Humboldt University. Ines Jäger is a PhD student at KU Leuven and HU Berlin. ISBN 978-3-16-154084-4 ISSN 0512-1604 (Wissenschaf liche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament) Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliographie; detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.dnb.de. © 2018 by Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, Germany. www.mohr.de T is book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by copyright law) without the publisher’s written permission. T is applies particularly to reproduc- tions, translations, microf lms and storage and processing in electronic systems. T e book was typeset by Martin Fischer in Tübingen, printed by Gulde Druck in Tübingen on non-aging paper and bound by Buchbinderei Spinner in Ottersweier. Printed in Germany. E-ofprint of the author with publisher’s permission. Table of Contents Abbreviations . VII Introduction . 1 Allen Brent Can T ere Be Degrees of Docetism? . 5 Jörg Frey “Docetic-like” Christologies and the Polymorphy of Christ: A Plea for Further Consideration of Diversity in the Discussion of “Docetism” . -
RCIA, Session #06: Major Heresies of the Early Church
RCIA, Session #06: Major Heresies of the Early Church Adoptionism A 2nd-3rd century heresy that affirmed that Jesus’ divine identity began with his baptism (God adopted the man Jesus to be his Son, making him divine through the gift of the Holy Spirit). It was advocated by Elipandus of Toledo and Felix of Urgel, but condemned by Pope Adrian I in 785 and again in 794. When Peter Abelard (1079-1142) renewed a modified form of this teaching in the twelfth century, it was condemned by Pope Alexander III in 1177 as a theory proposed by Peter Lombard. Apollinarianism Heretical doctrine of Appolinaris the younger (310-90), Bishop of Laodicea, that Christ had a human body and only a sensitive soul, but had not rational mind or a free human will (i.e., Jesus was not fully human). His rational soul was replaced by the Divine Logos, or Word of God. The theory was condemned by Roman councils in 377 and 381, and also by the 1st Council of Constantinople in 381. Arianism A fourth century heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Its author was Arius (256-336), a priest of Alexandria who in 318 began to teach the doctrine that now bears his name. According to Arius, there are not three distinct persons in God, co-eternal and equal in all things, but only one person, the Father. The Son is only a creature, made out of nothing, like all other created beings. He may be called God by only by an extension of language, as the first and greatest person chosen to be divine intermediary in the creation and redemption of the world. -
Timeline 500 AD – 1000 AD
Lessons • Introduction and Overview • Spread of Christianity • Church and State – Persecution and Adoption • Doctrine – Orthodoxy vs. Heresy Part I (Apologists, Heresies, and Canon) • Doctrine – Orthodoxy vs. Heresy Part II (the Ecumenical Councils) 1 Doctrine – Orthodoxy vs. Heresy The Apologists • Focus is defending Christianity externally – to Pagans and Jews, not others claiming Christianity • Some effort spent refuting base rumors about Christian behavior (e.g., cannibalism, incest, unpatriotic, etc.) discussed in previous material • Other adversaries included cultured pagans who made some effort to learn about Christianity and looked at Christians as intellectually inferior, lower class people ➢ Why is your omnipotent God such a busybody in individual affairs? ➢ If our gods are false, why not worship them? Are you afraid they are true? ➢ How can Jesus be good? He was a prisoner condemned by legitimate Roman authorities. ➢ Why would God visit earth – doesn’t he know everything? Can’t he deal with evil without doing it personally? ➢ Why be willing to leave the certainty of this life for the uncertainty of a resurrection? ➢ At the final resurrection, what happens to bodies burned or otherwise destroyed? I Peter 3:15 - “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 2 Doctrine – Orthodoxy vs. Heresy The Apologists Apologist Timeframe Works / Focus Justin 100-165 2 Apologies – “Christian Philosophy” – the connection between Christianity and classical philosophy (e.g., Martyr supreme being, life beyond physical death, etc.). John 1:1, 14 Word = Logos = [universal] Reason. -
Lessons in Montanism: Charismatics, Feminists, and the Twentieth Century Roman Catholic Church Carol Dawn Jean Davis Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University FHSU Scholars Repository Master's Theses Graduate School Spring 2014 Lessons in Montanism: Charismatics, Feminists, and the Twentieth Century Roman Catholic Church Carol Dawn Jean Davis Fort Hays State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Davis, Carol Dawn Jean, "Lessons in Montanism: Charismatics, Feminists, and the Twentieth Century Roman Catholic Church" (2014). Master's Theses. 58. https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/58 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at FHSU Scholars Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of FHSU Scholars Repository. LESSONS IN MONTANISM: CHARISMATICS, FEMINISTS, AND THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH being A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the Fort Hays State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Carol Dawn Jean Davis B.A., University of Arizona Date______________________ Approved_________________________ Major Professor Approved_________________________ Chair, Graduate Council ABSTRACT Christianity arose in the midst of a pagan world filled with many different cultic beliefs that worshipped a variety of gods and goddesses. Homogeneity did not become a characteristic of Christianity itself until after the first five centuries of debate hammering out the theological doctrines and modes of praxis that determined what was and was not heresy. Debates continue to take place among scholars concerning pagan influences on the early emerging Christian world. One of the many sects that developed, Montanism, a reform movement within the orthodox Christian Church, came into being as a result of the persecution of Christians and a perceived laxity by the Church toward those who recanted. -
The Christian Movement in the Second and Third Centuries
WMF1 9/13/2004 5:36 PM Page 10 The Christian Movement 1 in the Second and Third Centuries 1Christians in the Roman Empire 2 The First Theologians 3Constructing Christian Churches 1Christians in the Roman Empire We begin at the beginning of the second century, a time of great stress as Christians struggled to explain their religious beliefs to their Roman neighbors, to create liturgies that expressed their beliefs and values, and to face persecution and martyrdom cour- ageously. It may seem odd to omit discussion of the life and times of Christianity’s founder, but scholarly exploration of the first century of the common era is itself a field requiring a specific expertise. Rather than focus on Christian beginnings directly, we will refer to them as necessitated by later interpretations of scripture, liturgy, and practice. Second-century Christians were diverse, unorganized, and geographically scattered. Paul’s frequent advocacy of unity among Christian communities gives the impression of a unity that was in fact largely rhetorical. Before we examine Christian movements, however, it is important to remind ourselves that Christians largely shared the world- view and social world of their neighbors. Polarizations of “Christians” and “pagans” obscure the fact that Christians were Romans. They participated fully in Roman culture and economic life; they were susceptible, like their neighbors, to epidemic disease and the anxieties and excitements of city life. As such, they were repeatedly shocked to be singled out by the Roman state for persecution and execution on the basis of their faith. The physical world of late antiquity The Mediterranean world was a single political and cultural unit. -
Trinitarian/Christological Heresies Heresy Description Origin Official
Trinitarian/Christological Heresies Official Heresy Description Origin Other Condemnation Adoptionism Belief that Jesus Propounded Theodotus was Alternative was born as a by Theodotus of excommunicated names: Psilanthro mere (non-divine) Byzantium , a by Pope Victor and pism and Dynamic man, was leather merchant, Paul was Monarchianism. [9] supremely in Rome c.190, condemned by the Later criticized as virtuous and that later revived Synod of Antioch presupposing he was adopted by Paul of in 268 Nestorianism (see later as "Son of Samosata below) God" by the descent of the Spirit on him. Apollinarism Belief proposed Declared to be . that Jesus had by Apollinaris of a heresy in 381 by a human body Laodicea (died the First Council of and lower soul 390) Constantinople (the seat of the emotions) but a divine mind. Apollinaris further taught that the souls of men were propagated by other souls, as well as their bodies. Arianism Denial of the true The doctrine is Arius was first All forms denied divinity of Jesus associated pronounced that Jesus Christ Christ taking with Arius (ca. AD a heretic at is "consubstantial various specific 250––336) who the First Council of with the Father" forms, but all lived and taught Nicea , he was but proposed agreed that Jesus in Alexandria, later exonerated either "similar in Christ was Egypt . as a result of substance", or created by the imperial pressure "similar", or Father, that he and finally "dissimilar" as the had a beginning declared a heretic correct alternative. in time, and that after his death. the title "Son of The heresy was God" was a finally resolved in courtesy one. -
Healing Theologies in Christian Science and Secret Revelation of John: a Critical Conversation in Practical Theology
HEALING THEOLOGIES IN CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SECRET REVELATION OF JOHN: A CRITICAL CONVERSATION IN PRACTICAL THEOLOGY by SHIRLEY THOMAS PAULSON A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham June 2017 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Dedicated to my mother, in appreciation for her instilling in me an unwavering love for God and for humanity and generations to come ABSTRACT This thesis asks what might be revealed from a Practical Theology conversation between historical texts and contemporary Christian Science experience about healing theologies and practices. Certain enduring theological ideas (God’s goodness and omnipotence, the deceptiveness and impotence of evil, and a correlation between healing and salvation) explain these Christian healing practices. I investigate such ideas and practices using a Practical Theology methodology that accommodates an epistemological contrast and enables meaningful analysis of the ideas. This ‘critical conversation’ between the Secret Revelation of John, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and myself as an autoethnographic ‘text,’ draws out comparisons and contrasting ideas of Christian healing.