Theology - Early Church

Apostolic Age

(30-100 AD) the age of the early church founded by Jesus, and the spread of Christianity by his followers

Early Church

Christians in the first three centuries AD

Polytheism

the belief in or worship of many gods, "norm" within Rome and non-Christians

Reasons why Christians began to be persecuted in Rome

Christians met in secret at night, refused to worship gods of the land, and were disloyal to Rome

Emperor Nero

The emperor responsible for starting Christian persecutions in Rome, blamed Christians for Roman fire

Christian martyr

A Christian killed for their religious beliefs

Emperor Diocletian

Emperor of Rome responsible for dividing Rome into two halves, and having the last and worst Christian Persecution

Emperor Constantine

Emperor of Rome who converted to Christianity (312 AD) and is known for issuing the edict of Milan

Edict of Milan

(313 AD) ended persecutions and granted religious freedom in Rome, issued by Constantine

Council of Nicaea

(325 AD) The first worldwide church council brought together by Constantine, called to address Arian controversy and unite the church

Outcomes of Council of Nicaea

Defined Jesus as fully divine, created the Nicene creed, and set a date for Easter

Capital Relocation - Constantinople

(330 AD) Constantine moves Rome's capital to Byzantine, created power shift between East and West churches

Power shifts in new capital

economic - east was wealthier and more populated;

cultural - New Rome started a new empire; linguistic - Latin (Rome) vs. Greek (Constantinople)

reasons for Roman Empire collapse

(476 AD) Moral decay, corruption/weak leadership, barbarian invasions, spread of Christianity, and financial troubles (war debt)

Monasticism

A way of life in which one leaves the everyday world to live a life of self denial and prayer to devote his or her whole life to God

3 effects of monasteries

Recovering rural towns to establish monasteries, "Saving Western Culture" through meeting intellectual needs, and civilizing Germanic people and nomads

Caesaropapism

the idea of someone being in charge of both State and church matters, and can extend their own authority over local religious matters

Fathers of the Church

Early church leaders who defined theology and fought against false teachings, or heresies

St. Basil the Great

Great Father known for establishing the first hospital, and was considered the Father of Eastern Monasticism

St. Gregory

Great Father known for being a poet and contributing to Trinitarian Theology

St. Jerome

Great Father known for his contributions to the vulgate

St. Athanasius

Great Father known for speaking out against Arianism at the Council of Nicaea

St. Ambrose

Great Father known for being a mentor to St. Augustine and a bold bishop

St. John Chrysostom

Great Father known for being an influential speaker and earning the nickname "Golden Mouth"

St. Augustine of Hippo

Great Father known for writing the City of God and influencing teachings of Original Sin and the Sacraments

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Great Father known for keeping peace in the West and his influence on music through his establishment of the Gregorian Chant

Vulgate

the first major Latin translation of the Bible

Trinitarian theology

The theological study of the "three persons in one God"