Church History Midterm

History

Event + Meaning

BC

Before Christ

AD

Anno Domini ("In the Year of Our Lord")

History is the stage of

God's redemptive plan

Prophecy

History Written in Advance

God reveals what will happen

before it happens

God revelation

helps us discover history's meaning

Prophecy helps us gain

perspective on current events

Prophecy helps us grow

in confidence in God's plan

Prophecy helps see the

resilience of the church

Apostolic Church

30-100 AD

Marks of the True Church

One accord in the Upper Room

Spirit-led leadership (not hierarchal)

Power, boldness, miracles, and guidance through the Holy Spirit

Antioch

First church to use the name 'Christian'

Apostolic teachings formed

the core doctrines

What were the core doctrines later developed into?

Creeds

Post-Apostolic Church

100-150 AD

Apostolic Fathers roles (3)

Guardians of apostolic teaching

Bridged generations

Defended unity & doctrine

Ignatius of Antioch

Emphasized unity and authority

Polycarp of Smyrna

Disciple of John, martyred

Clement of Rome

Wrote to resolve church disputes in Corinth

Apologist

Defender of the faith using reason, scripture, and moral argument

Justin Martyr (100-165)

Philosopher-turned-Christian

Argued that Christianity is true philosophy

Who wrote Apologies and Dialogue with Trypho?

Justin Martyr

Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202)

Affirmed apostolic tradition and scripture

What Pentecostal insight did Irenaeus give?

Spiritual gifts like prophesy and healing continued in the Church

Who wrote Against Heresies? (combated Gnosticism)

Irenaeus of Lyons

Tertullian (155-240)

Bold defender of doctrine and morality

Who was called the "Father of Latin Christianity"

Tertullian

What pentecostal insight did Tertullian give?

Advocated speaking in tongues, visions, dreams as signs of the Holy Spirit

Gnosticism

Mixed Christian language with pagan mysticism

claimed secret, elite 'knowledge' (gnosis)

What do Gnostics deny?

Deny material world's goodness--> rejected Christs incarnation

Montanism (156-200)

A revival movement that

Emphasized prophecy, speaking in tongues, Christ's imminent return, and strict morality

Who were the main leaders of Montanism?

Montanus, Pricilla, and Maximilla

Why did the church reject Montanism?

Lack of apostolic accountability

Contradicted scripture

Caused division and spiritual pride

What was the Church's final stance on spiritual gifts in response to Montanism?

The Church affirmed the gifts of the Spirit but rejected excess and disorder

Apostolic Succession (100-150 AD)

Belief in unbroken line of bishops from apostles

Centralization of Power

Bishops began to oversee multiple congregations

Gained political and regional power

What was the main cause of the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire?

Christains refeused to worship Roman gods or the emperor, leading to state persecution

Emperor Decius (249-251)

forced sacrifices to Roman gods -->persecution

Emperor Diocletian (303 AD)

Launched Great Persecution: Churches destroyed, Scriptures burned, clergy imprisoned

How did Christians respond to persecution under Rome

Many chose Martyrdom dying rather than denying Christ

Others worshiped secretly and buried their dead in catacombs underground

Creeds and Canons

Short, clear summaries of essential beliefs

Unified the faith and countered heresies

What period marked the Transition to Christendom?

300-600 AD

The Edict of Milan (313 AD)

Legalized Christianity and ended persecution, returned church property

Who led the Edict of Milan?

Constantine and Licinius

Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

Key debate: Is Jesus fully God?

Who called the Nicaean Council?

Constantine

What did the Council of Nicaea result in?

Doctrine of the Trinity- One God, three persons

Monasticism

The practice of living the life of a monk

Who is the Father of Monasticism?

Anthony of Egypt (251-356)

What did Anthony of Egypt do to model Monasticism?

He gave up wealth and lived in spiritual isolation and prayer in the desert

Who was Augustine of Hippo?

An influential theologian (354–430 AD) and Church Father

What belief did Augustine of Hippo advocate?

Cessationism — the belief that miracles and spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic age

What were the Crusades?

Religious wars (1096–1291) to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control

Who translated the Bible into English?

John Wycliffe (1320s–1384) — an early reformer who criticized church corruption

Who was influenced by John Wycliffe and later executed for heresy?

Jan Hus (1369–1415) — burned at the stake for his reform efforts

What was the Bubonic Plague (Black Death)?

A devastating epidemic that killed millions in Europe and shook religious and social structures

What impact did the Bubonic Plague have on the Church?

It caused doubt, fear, and weakened trust in Church authority

Who invented the printing press?

Johannes Gutenberg (1440)

What impact did the printing press have on Christianity?

It revolutionized communication, allowed mass production of Bibles, and helped spread Reformation ideas

Martin Luther

Sparked the Protestant Reformation

Emphasized faith and scripture alone

What did Martin Luther Challenge?

Indulgences and corruption in the Church