Theology Test 2 S2

Why is Clement writing to the Church in Corinth?

Disunity

What sin, in particular, does Clement say the Corinthians
fell back into?

Envy

What biblical events does Clement use as illustrations of
the destructive power of envy and jealous?

Cain and Abel; Jacob fleeing Esau; Joseph
and his brothers; Moses and Pharoah;
Aaron and Miriam, Dathan and Abiram
(against Moses); and David and Saul;
Peter and Paul (which led to their glory)

What are some examples of people who were obedient to
God that he mentions as role models?

Enoch, Abraham, Lot, and Abraham

How does the way in which Christ entered into the world
prove Clement’s point about humility?

He came humbly, as a baby, born to
a common poor family

He points out, for example, the numerous forms of resurrection God
built right into creation. What are some examples he gives?

Day turning into night and then the sun rising again. The fruits of the earth: Seeds, which are dry and dead looking, are buried and decay, but from them new life springs forth. The eastern legend of the phoenix

What do you think Clement means when he encourages
the Corinthians to get on with their “warfare”?

He means “spiritual warfare,” whereby they battle against the sins in their life

St. Clement then provides examples of how the Christians in Corinth can do good, no matter what their life circumstance. What are some examples he provides?

The strong are not to ignore the weak, the rich are to help the poor, and the poor should thank God for this. If someone is chaste, he must not brag about it to others.

How have the Corinthians behaved towards their Bishop
and Church leaders?

They have removed them from office for no good reason, despite not having the authority to do so

Why does Clement say the priests (“presbyters”) who have
already died are “happy”?

Because the Corinthians can’t kick them out of office

Clement says it is alright to be angry or hot-headed (as the
Corinthians seem to be) in what circumstance?

When it comes to “things that will lead to salvation”

What is one of the reasons Clement says the issue in
Corinth has “brought the name of the Lord into disrespect”?

Non-Christians have heard about it as well, which is a scandal

Which theological virtue does Clement single out as
essential for the transformation of the Corinthian church?

Love

What does Clement say those who cause division will do if
they are “noble,” “compassionate,” or “loving”?

Leave the community so peace can
return

When Eusebius describes the bishops of Jerusalem up until
Hadrian’s reign, what problem did he run into?

He can’t find written evidence of
the dates they served the Church
there, but he knows there were 15
(and their names), that they were
of a Jewish background, and that
they didn’t live long

What did the Romans rename Jerusalem

Aelia

Basilides seems to have had even more exaggerated views. What
were some of the errors he taught?

He said there was nothing wrong with eating meat offered to idols; it was ok to deny the Faith during times of persecution; his followers were also encouraged to observe 5 years of silence; he also had several false prophets

Who was called “father of the Gnostics”?

Carpocrates

What led St. Justin (who started life as a pagan) to look
with respect on Christianity?

How they faced death without fear

When the governor of Asia, Serennius (Silvanus) Granianus
asks what should be done about Christians being condemned to
death without a trial, what does the emperor say?

He says they need to have a
fair trial first and if anyone
turns them in hoping for a
financial reward they should
“arrest him for his shabby trick
and see that he gets his
deserts”

In that address, why does the emperor believe killing the
Christians would be counterproductive?

Because “if accused they would choose apparent death rather than life, for the sake of their own god. And so they are the real winners, when they part with their lives rather than agree to carry out your commands”

The emperor also criticizes the people regarding their behavior during
a spate of earthquakes. Why?

He says the Christians are better at trusting their God in the face of danger and hardship. Their trust seems to grow at such times, while the trust of the pagans seems to fall

What famous exchange did St. Polycarp have with the
heretic, Marcion?

Marcion: “Don’t you recognize me?” Polycarp: “I do indeed: I recognize the first born of Satan!

Why do you think Christians were accused of being godless?

They didn’t worship the Roman gods/goddesses and they didn’t follow the Mosaic laws.

When the Romans catch up with Polycarp, how does he act
towards them?

Calm and cheerful. He gives them a meal in exchange for an hour of prayer

Polycarp had a vision that he believed meant he would be
martyred in what way?

Being burned alive

When the fire was lit for Polycarp to be executed, what
happened?

It did not burn him

What were the heretical ideas his followers held?

He preached permanent celibacy and saw marriage as “depravity and fornication”; they abstained from “animate things” (I think this is a reference to not eating meat); they denied the salvation of Adam; and he “romanced about invisible aeons”

Who seems to be the one responsible for initially
preserving these letters?

St. Polycarp

The authentic versions of these letters were rediscovered
in what century?

The seventeenth

The content of which letter is unique in comparison to the
other six?

Romans, which focuses on his
approaching martyrdom and his
desire that the Christians there not
interfere on his behalf

Ignatius says Jesus has given the Ephesians glory. How does he say they can give glory back to Him?

Through “uniting in a common act of submission and acknowledging
the authority of your bishop and clergy

How does Ignatius describe the relationship of the
Ephesians’ clergy with their bishop?

It is a good relationship

What does Ignatius say has failed to gain a foothold among
the Ephesians?

Heresy

Early in the letter, what does Ignatius tell the Magnesians
are the “gifts of Christ”?

Spiritual and corporate unity

Ignatius encourages the Magnesians not to take advantage
of what quality their bishop possesses?

Youth

Does St. Ignatius believe Christians should continue to
practice Jewish customs?

no

What does he say about the kind of men who should be
deacons?

They should be “men universally approved in every way” and “under
obligation to guard themselves against any slur or imputation

What does Ignatius want the Romans to pray for?

That he will have courage to see his martyrdom through

What does Ignatius say Christianity involves?

“Achieving greatness in the face of a world’s hatred”

What does Ignatius compare the soldiers guarding him to?

Leopards

He compares his approaching martyrdom to what stage of
life?

birth

If they work for his freedom, who does he say they are
helping?

satan

Ignatius says that everyone who belongs to God and Christ do what?

Stand by their bishop

Ignatius says people who don’t preach Jesus are like what?

Tombstones and graves of the dead

What part of the Old Testament does he say Christians are
fond of?

The prophets

What does he say the Smyrneans affirm about Jesus?

1. He is truly of David’s line and the Son of God; 2. He was truly born of a Virgin; 3. He was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness; 4. He truly died and rose again during the time of Herod and Pontius Pilate

Ignatius emphasizes the reality of what after the
resurrection?

Jesus’s body

In addition, Ignatius says that the Docetists don’t share in the
Eucharist. Why?

Since, in their view, Jesus didn’t have a real body, the Eucharist cannot be His body either

What does Ignatius tell Polycarp is the most important
thing?

unity

What does Ignatius say is the main reason we have a
physical body?

To gain the favor of the outward and visible world