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Exploring God's Word Church History Timeline Evolution of the Trinity 100 to 400 A.D. Church History Timeline Evolution of the Trinity 100 to 400 A.D. by Scott Lynn Last Revised September 2014 Copyright © 2012-2017 Scott Lynn You have permission to print and/or distribute copies of this document freely. You do not have permission to print and sell copies of this document. Please contact me or contact Liberty Church of Grand Ledge if you would like to order more printed copies or have any suggestions for revisions. Scott Lynn ([email protected]) Visit my website: www.FamilyApostolic.org Welcome I created this outline as part of a Church History class I have taught. I combined numerous notes and previous lessons to pack as much historical information as possible into one booklet. I've seen other outlines, but their bias left something to be desired. Some seem pro-Catholic and others seem pro-Protestant. I have never seen one that was pro- Scriptures. This outline doesn't take sides between Catholics and Protestants, but attempts to look at doctrinal developments and historical events purely from the stand point of God's word. It's likely impossible to totally remove bias, but that is my intention going-in. You can be the judge in determining how successful I have been. I have (at times) included a few fun comments, possibly related Bible verses and trivia in the timeline. A couple have told me that these entries don’t really add to the timeline but I prefer my version to a more sterile and soul-less document. These same Christians are often a source of longsuffering for me, so I intend to keep the fun stuff here as a form a minor and enjoyable revenge. I feel it would be petty and selfish to deny them the opportunity to be on the receiving end of a little longsuffering. NOTE: This is actually a shorter version of my larger Church History Timeline. I am focusing here on the early years and development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the first few centuries. Quite a bit has been deleted to fit this in 12 pages. I have tried my best to be accurate and cautious in my research. If you find any errors, please contact me, I would love to know and correct them. In His Service, Scott Lynn Page 2 Historical event Scriptures to think about… ~33 A.D. Christ dies on the cross 70 A.D. Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by Roman forces led by Titus (eventually Roman Emperor 79-81). 98 A.D. New Testament Completed 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 KJV Matthew, Mark & Luke 41-65 A.D. All scripture is given by inspiration Acts 62 A.D. of God, and is profitable for doctrine, Paul’s Epistles 50-65 A.D. for reproof, for correction, for Revelation 96 A.D. instruction in righteousness: Gospel of John 98 A.D. 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 90-140 A.D. Early leaders use language similar 2nd Corinthians 5:19 KJV to scripture to describe the incarnation. …God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself… Clement, bishop of Rome: “Jesus Christ is the Sceptre of the Majesty of God.” “…attending to Colossians 1:15 KJV [God’s] words, you were inwardly filled with the Who is the image of the invisible doctrine, and His sufferings were before your God, the firstborn of every creature. eyes.” Ignatius, bishop of Antioch: “We have John 20:28 KJV received the knowledge of God, which is And Thomas answered and said Jesus Christ. “ unto him, ‘My LORD and my God.’ “Our God, Jesus Christ, was according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb of Mary…” 130-180 A.D. Greek Apologists influence church 1st Timothy 2:5 KJV teachings with their philosophy. Believing For there is one God, and one that the supreme perfect God could not descend mediator between God and men, the to corrupt earth, Justin Martyr believed God man Christ Jesus. must have sent another being, the Logos, which Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV he called another God. Hear, O Israel: Justin Martyr also taught that, just as Jesus was The Lord our God is one Lord. the second Adam, Mary was the second Eve, in John 1:1 Literal that her obedience and submission to the angel In the beginning was the Word, and is in contrast to the rebellion of Eve in the the Word was with God, and God garden. was the Word. Page 3 ~160 A.D. Justin’s Dialogue Exodus 20:2-3 KJV with Trypho: I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out “There is … another God of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. and Lord subject to the 3Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Maker of all things; who is Isaiah 9:6 KJV also called an Angel, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: because He announces to and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and men whatsoever the Maker his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, of all things – above whom The mighty God, The everlasting Father, there is no God – wishes to The Prince of Peace. announce to them… He who is said to have appeared to Isaiah 43:10 KJV Abraham, and to Jacob, and …understand that I am he: before me there was to Moses, and who is called no God formed, neither shall there be after me. God, is distinct from Him Isaiah 44:6 KJV who made all things – Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his numerically, I mean, not redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and distinct in will.” I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Greek Worldview of God and the Logos The Logos, to the Greeks, was the plan of God, representing the pattern of perfect things in the Heavens. The supreme and perfect creator could not descend to our corrupt and filthy planet (alert: gnostic teaching), but the lesser gods could travel back and forth. So if the Logos The was a lesser Logos god, than it could bridge the gap between the perfect creator and imperfect earth. Page 4 170 to 325 A.D. The Old Catholic Age: Several generations after the Apostles, the original Apostolic doctrine was still common and even dominant throughout the churches. Changes in doctrine were introduced by North African church leaders and rejected by most churches but led to the later acceptance of the Trinity during the church councils. Oneness belief was still the majority belief of this time. Tertullian described Oneness understanding as “the majority of believers” and Origen described Oneness believers as “the great multitude of those who are counted believers”. Tertullian was the first to claim God is a Trinity of three persons with the Son subordinate to the Father. Origen was the first to teach they are co-equal. ~213 A.D. Tertullian in Against Praxeas: Colossians 2:8-9 KJV “The Father is the entire substance, but the Son Beware lest any man spoil you is a derivation and portion of the whole.” The through philosophy and vain deceit, Son is merely “a portion of the whole Godhead.” after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Tertullian was kicked out of the church Christ. 9For in him dwelleth all the for his teachings. Many years later, he was fullness of the Godhead bodily. sainted back into the church. John 8:58 KJV “In not a few areas of theology, Tertullian’s Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I views are, of course, completely unacceptable. say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Thus, for example, his teaching on the Trinity am. reveals a subordination of Son to Father that in the later crass form of Arianism the Church Hebrews 1:3 KJV rejected as heretical.” Who [the Son] being the brightness of his glory, and the express image - New Catholic Encyclopedia of his [God’s] person. ~230 A.D. On the Principles by Origen John 14:28 KJV First to teach the Son was eternal and co-equal Ye have heard how I said unto you, I with the Father and the Holy Spirit. “..nothing in go away, and come again unto you. the Trinity can be called greater or less.” If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: Origen had many strange beliefs include for my Father is greater than I. Satan’s ultimate salvation. He also castrated himself based on Matthew 19:12. This is Matthew 19:12 KJV somewhat ironic, as Origen was famous for …and there be eunuchs, which have allegorizing scripture, but he decided to take made themselves eunuchs for the this verse literally. kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is He was kicked out the church for his beliefs. able to receive it, let him receive it. Page 5 323 A.D. Christianity becomes official religion Proverbs 29:2 KJV of the Roman Empire when Emperor When the righteous are in authority, Constantine converts to Christianity. the people rejoice: but when the Constantine takes over the church while wicked beareth rule, the people continuing a life of sin. mourn. 325 A.D. Council of Nicea I Matthew 16:13 KJV Ordered by Emperor Constantine to end When Jesus came into the coasts of controversy in the church.
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