Defenders of the Faith

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the defenders of the Christian faith, their works, and significant concepts discussed in the lecture.

Apologetics

A branch of Christian theology that explains the defense of the Christian faith against pagan culture and heresies.

Apologist

An individual who writes works to defend the Christian faith and its doctrines, often through reasoned arguments.

Patristic

The study of the Church Fathers and their writings.

Didache

A late 1st-century instruction book known as 'The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles' focused on Christian morals, rituals, and organization.

Christology

The study of the nature of Christ, His divinity, humanity, and role in salvation.

Ecclesiology

The study of the nature and structure of the Church, focusing on the role of bishops and apostolic succession.

Apostolic Fathers

Early Christian writers who lived during the time of the Apostles or within two generations of them.

Ante-Nicene Fathers

Christian writers before the First Council of Nicaea (325) who defended the Christian faith.

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers

Theologians writing during and after the First Council of Nicaea, who influenced Christian doctrine.

Episcopacy

The system of church government by bishops, emphasizing their role in protecting the Church from false beliefs.

Martyrdom

The act of suffering death for refusing to renounce one's faith.

Diatessaron

A work by Tatian that combines the four Gospels into a single narrative.

Golden Age of the Church Fathers

The period of significance in the Church from 320 to 461 marked by strong Christian doctrine and writings.

Vulgate

A late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible by St. Jerome.

Septuagint

The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, made for Greek-speaking Jews.

Doctor of the Church

A title granted by the Pope to those with exemplary theological development and personal sanctity.

Edict of Toleration

A declaration by a ruler ensuring that members of a given religion will not be persecuted for engaging in their practices.