Catholicism 1-14

Biographical Dictionary Assignment

  • Announcement of assignment titled "biographical dictionary."

  • Objective: Create entries for major figures discussed in class.

  • Major figures identified: based on the course outline and syllabus.

    • First figure: Irenaeus.

    • Required information for each entry:

    • Geographic location.

    • Date of death.

    • Highest vocation held in the church.

  • Syllabus as a resource for geographic location and death date (cut and paste).

  • Emphasis on using class lectures and readings only for additional information, unless otherwise instructed due to note-taking quality.

  • Assignment submission structure:

    • Three submissions:

    1. Before the first test (early church).

    2. Before the second test (medieval church).

    3. Last day of class (modern).

  • Confirmation of understanding regarding the assignment structure.

Roll Call Methodology

  • Instructor’s past experience with traditional roll call leading to boredom.

  • Introduction of a unique roll call method using a "question of the day."

    • Questions serve as engaging icebreakers unrelated to the class material.

  • Instructor requests visual recognition during the response for attendance purposes.

    • Reminder that some students may already be recognized due to previous classes.

Question of the Day Example

  • Question: Who is your favorite musical artist?

  • Student responses included:

    • Nick: unspecified artist.

    • Julia: unspecified artist.

    • Claire: unspecified artist.

    • Allison: James, Ethan.

    • Al likes country music.

    • Alexa: wide range, including J. Harlan.

    • Earl: discussed relevance of "American Idiot" album.

    • Vasili: prefers Reba McEntire.

    • Dylan: unspecified.

    • Jockey: unspecified.

  • Misunderstanding with spelling of Irenaeus' geographic location (Leon) - ignores spell checker due to historical spelling differences.

Introduction to Irenaeus

  • Key Concept: Relationship between text and communities.

    • Statement: "Communities produce text, which in turn reproduce community."

    • Importance of key texts in sustaining communities (Examples: U.S. Constitution, mission statements from institutions).

    • Religious texts mentioned:

      • Judaism: Torah, prophets, writings (wisdom literature).

      • Islam: Quran.

      • Christianity: Bible (termed as biblical canon).

Definition of Biblical Canon

  • Etymology: Term "canon" derives from ancient Egyptian and Greek, meaning measuring rod.

    • Importance: Canon serves as the standard for Christian belief and practices.

    • Historical context of numerous texts circulated in early Christianity.

Role of Irenaeus in Scripture Formation

  • Irenaeus' significance in determining criteria for the Christian Bible.

  • Contextual differentiation of dominant religions at Christianity's emergence:

    • Judaism.

    • Paganism (Gentile perspectives).

  • Early Christians identified themselves as a distinct community (third race).

Introduction to Gnosticism

  • Definition: Derived from Greek word "gnosis" meaning knowledge.

  • Contrast of knowledge types:

    • Gnosis: Experiential knowledge (transformative).

    • Eidēs: Pure cognition or awareness.

  • Example: Understanding of addiction:

    • Reading material vs. experiential knowledge (actual addiction experience).

  • Gnosticism's perspective on the material world:

    • Dualistic worldview: Spirit as good, matter as evil.

Gnostic Creation Myth

  • Overview of myth: One existence (the One) leading to a spiritual world and subsequently to matter.

  • Human beings understood as both spirit and matter, which creates a complex of existence.

  • Gnostic Christian perspective on Christ:

    • Docetism: Belief that Christ only appeared human but was not truly human.

    • Implications: Denies the crucifixion, resurrection, and heavenly ascension of Christ.

  • Gnostic superiority is through secret teachings delivered to an elite group.

Classification within Gnostic Christianity

  • Hierarchy:

    • Elect: Act according to Gnostic principles (e.g., abstaining from sex, extreme fasting).

    • Heroes: Accept truth but do not practice the same.

    • Slaves of Matter: Majority, including all in classroom.

Marcion's Influence

  • Profile: Born around 85 AD in Sinope, moved to Rome (January).

    • Expelled from Rome – began establishing churches in the Mediterranean.

  • Theology: Central tenets in "Antithesis" (Contradictions).

    • Distinguised two gods: Old Testament (evil creator god) vs. New Testament (good savior god).

    • Only the New Testament is valid for Christians, with reduced gospel texts.

Irenaeus' Background and Control over Gnostic Christianity

  • Birth: Around January in the city of Smyrna.

    • Theological training under Polycarp, who was a disciple of John the Evangelist.

  • Vocation: Became bishop of Lyon.

  • Major writings:

    • "Proof of Apostolic Teaching".

    • "Against the Heresy" (original title: "The Repudiation and Overthrow of the Knowledge Falsely So-Called").

  • Apostolic tradition: Transmission of Jesus' teachings through direct line.

Key Themes in Irenaeus' Writings

  • Apostolic Tradition:

    • Definition: How Jesus’s teachings were handed over.

    • Connection: Significant lineage of teaching from Jesus to Irenaeus not found in Gnostic tradition.

  • Rule of Faith:

    • Concept analogous to a creed.

    • Core beliefs: Affirmation of one God (creator and redeemer), incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, salvation for all.

Implications for the Biblical Canon

  • The criteria for biblical canon formation arose from Irenaeus' theology, focusing on the importance of texts from apostles.

    • Excludes non-apostolic writings and texts contradicting the rule of faith.

  • The biblical decisions were finalized during later ecumenical councils leveraging Irenaeus’ foundational theories.