Untitled Flashcard Set

RST 376: Christian Origins – EXTENDED CRAM SHEET (Highly Detailed) This expanded cram sheet elaborates on every topic from the study guide in dense but readable form. It is designed for last‑minute studying, essay prep, and multiple‑choice mastery. I. EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES & AUTHORITY STRUCTURES Johannine Community • • • • • • A distinct early Christian group behind the Gospel of John, the Johannine epistles, and possibly Revelation. Characterized by high Christology: Jesus as pre‑existent divine Word (Logos). Strong dualism: light/darkness, truth/falsehood, spirit/flesh. Likely expelled from synagogues, creating tension with Judaism. Internal divisions over Christology ("antichrists" in 1 John). Shares themes later associated with Gnosticism but remains orthodox. Logos & Sophia • • • Logos: Divine Word, reason, ordering principle (Greek philosophy + Jewish wisdom). Sophia: Wisdom tradition linked to God’s creative power. John merges Greek philosophy and Jewish theology to explain Jesus’ divinity. II. LEADERSHIP, ORDER & LEGITIMACY Apostolic Succession • • • • Authority flows from Jesus → apostles → bishops. Ensured continuity of teaching and legitimacy. Used against Gnostics who claimed secret revelation. Irenaeus emphasized tracing bishops back to apostles. Monarchical Bishop • • • One bishop per city with supreme authority. Ensured unity, discipline, and doctrinal control. Key proponent: Ignatius of Antioch. Primacy & Supremacy of Rome • Primacy: Rome honored because Peter & Paul died there. 1 • • Supremacy: Rome holds ultimate authority (develops later). Used to arbitrate disputes and define orthodoxy. III. PERSECUTION, MARTYRDOM & ROMAN RESPONSE Nature of Persecution • • Sporadic, localized, not empire‑wide until later. Christians punished for refusing emperor worship. Martyrdom • • Considered highest form of discipleship. Martyrs seen as heroes and intercessors. Types of Martyrdom • • Red martyrdom: death by execution. White martyrdom: ascetic withdrawal (monks). Martyr Accounts & Relics • • Martyr stories circulated to inspire faith. Relics believed to carry spiritual power. Key Figures • • Polycarp: Bishop of Smyrna, martyred, link to apostolic age. Ignatius of Antioch: Theology of unity, obedience, martyrdom. Pliny–Trajan Correspondence • • • Christians not hunted but punished if accused. Required loyalty to Roman gods. Shows Christianity as civic threat. IV. CANON, CREEDS & THE FIGHT AGAINST HERESY Canons • • Defined authoritative scripture. Muratorian Canon: Early NT list. Creeds • Teaching tools + boundary markers. 2 • • Apostles’ Creed: Baptismal confession. Nicene Creed: Jesus fully divine; counters Arianism. Bishop Irenaeus • • • • • • • Bishop of Lyons. Major anti‑Gnostic theologian. Argued for: One church Apostolic succession Four gospels Rule of faith V. GNOSTICISM (CENTRAL EXAM TOPIC) Core Beliefs • • Salvation through gnosis (secret knowledge). Radical dualism: spirit good, matter evil. Gnostic Creation Myth • • • • Supreme unknowable God. Series of emanations. Demiurge (Yaldabaoth / Samael) creates material world. Humans contain divine spark. Redemption • • Christ reveals knowledge to awaken spark. Escape from material world. Gnostic Texts • • • Apocryphon of John Gospel of Thomas Nag Hammadi Codices (1945 discovery) Gnostic Teachers & Groups • • • • Valentinus: Hylic, psychic, pneumatic humans. Basilides: Elaborate cosmology. Simon Magus: Proto‑heretic. Carpocratians: Radical ethics. Ethical Extremes • Docetism: Jesus only appeared human. 3 Encratism: Radical sexual renunciation. • Marcion • • • Rejected OT God. Created his own canon. Forced church to formalize scripture. Elaine Pagels • • • • • Gnosticism challenged: Church authority Gender hierarchy Bodily resurrection Literal incarnation VI. ASCETICISM & MONASTICISM Antony of Egypt • • Father of monasticism. Hermit life. Anchorites & Pillar Saints • • Radical isolation. Simeon Stylites lived on pillar. Coenobitic Monasticism • • Communal living. Founded by Pachomius. Basil of Cappadocia • • Structured Eastern monastic life. Emphasized service. Benedict of Nursia • • Western monasticism. Rule of St. Benedict: moderation, stability. Cassiodorus • Preserved texts. 4 VII. PROPHETIC & HERETICAL MOVEMENTS Montanus & New Prophecy • • • Claimed new revelation. Emphasized strict morality. Rejected by church leaders. VIII. SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS – RODNEY STARK Why Christianity Grew • • • • • Strong social networks. Care during plagues. Better status of women. Family‑centered ethics. Martyrdom as rational choice. IX. BIG EXAM THEMES TO REMEMBER • • • • Orthodoxy formed in response to diversity. Authority developed to combat heresy. Theology shaped by social pressure. Christianity succeeded through organization + compassion.