Church history week three

Introduction

Students are encouraged to choose a paper topic related to historical figures.
Reminder about footnoting Bible quotes in research papers - no need to footnote.
Suggestion to utilize bibliographies from good resources to find additional sources.
Students warned about grading practices related to highlighting errors and positive notes on returned papers.

Discussed prior topics: Apostolic Fathers, 3rd and 4th Century Persecutions.
Future lecture points: The rise of Constantine, Monasticism, and the Council of Nicaea.
Ongoing question: Who holds authority in the Church? (State vs. Church)
Historical seeds of division between western and eastern churches noted.

Importance of Apostolic Fathers as voices after the apostolic era.
Mentioned notable figures like Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Cyprian, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus.
Highlights of figures based on students' interests:
- Constantine and Helene: Key historical figures with significant influence on the Church.
- Polycarp: Martyr with a striking story of faith.
- Cyprian: Emphasis on church unity and the relationship between God and the church.
- Justin Martyr: Important apologist whose writings remain influential.

Explanation of grading markings:
- Yellow highlight indicates an error, often spelling or grammar.
- Green highlight denotes interesting or well-stated points.
- Awareness of policy changes in grading practices this semester.

Examination of authority and church governance from the apostolic fathers era into the early church.
Discussion of how names were manipulated and interpreted differently.
The church dealt with many heretical movements, shaping its doctrine.

3rd and 4th Century Persecutions discussed, focusing on societal context and impact on Christianity.
Analysis of the weakening Roman Empire and the crackdown on Christians as scapegoats for societal issues.

Constantine as pivotal in church history - legalizing Christianity and its implications.
Discussion on whether Constantine was genuinely Christian and the complexities surrounding his rule.
His significant actions included the Edict of Milan which allowed freedom of worship.

Reaction to the church's sudden legitimacy led some to seek ascetic lives.
Simon Stylites as an example of extreme asceticism.
Benedict’s rule outlines community living focused on prayer, study, and hard work.

The rise of Donatism and Novationism as reactions against purity in the church following persecution.
The role of confessors in the conflicting attitudes about forgiveness and restoration.
Donatus’ stricter views opposed by Cyprian while Augustine sought to maintain church unity despite sin.

Convened to address Arianism and define the nature of Christ and the Trinity.
Established the Nicene Creed which affirmed the full divinity of Christ.
The creeds’ statements about Jesus’ nature drawn from scripture argued that Jesus was both fully divine and fully human.
Supported by the church's historical traditions about the Trinity.

Athanasius: Key figure who contributed to the defense of orthodoxy post-Nicaea, known for combating Arianism and promoting Nicene doctrine.
Ongoing conflicts between Arians and supporters of Nicaea, highlighting the tension between church governance and political influence.
Significance of Athanasius in defining the orthodox understanding of the Christian faith as persecution battles continued and heresies emerged.