Church history week 2

Overview

  • The structure of the class initially covered various important reminders and instructions for remote students, emphasizing the importance of engaging with online classes by keeping cameras on.

  • Clarifications were made regarding the use of secondary sources, particularly highlighting the importance of accessing original texts for research.

Important Clarifications

  • The Bettison book should be seen as a secondary source; students must refer to original documents (e.g., Justin's apologies) for quotes and references.

  • Recommended online resources include "New Advent" and "CCEL" for acquiring primary texts.

Research Paper Topic Suggestions

  • Research papers should focus on figures prior to the Reformation, with examples including:

    • Marcion and Arias (heretics)

    • Gregory of Nazianzos (defender of the Trinity)

    • John Chrysostom (known for his preaching against social pressures)

    • Ambrose (opposed Emperor over communion issues)

    • Pope Leo the Great (early pope figure)

    • Saint Patrick (early missionary)

    • Charlemagne (influential ruler)

    • Thomas Aquinas (key theologian)

    • Jan Huss (pre-Reformation figure)

  • Students should use a minimum of 10 sources for their research papers.

Student Engagement and Learning

  • Inquiries were made about the readings, particularly highlighting discussions around the content from the Shelley book.

  • Suggestions were made to focus on the spread of Christianity and its implications in various historical contexts.

Class Opening Communal Prayer

  • Prayer led by Clement of Alexandria focused on youth, protection, and guidance for students and families, emphasizing the need to remain true to Christian doctrine.

Gnosticism and Early Christian Persecution

  • Discussion on early persecution was extensive, emphasizing how most was local and sporadic rather than widespread.

  • Important figures like Nero, who infamously used Christians as scapegoats, were discussed.

Heresies and Responses

  • The class examined heretical movements such as Gnosticism, explaining their beliefs regarding dualism (matter is evil; spirit is good) and how this impacted early church doctrine regarding creation and divine nature.

  • Marcionism was explained as a significant heretical movement which prompted the early church to define the canon of scripture clearly.

  • Marcion criteria of canon: accepted parts of scripture that aligned with his beliefs, leading early church to solidify its canon.

Establishing Orthodoxy

  • Canon, creed, and bishops emerged as key tools in defining orthodoxy against heretical views.

  • Early creeds focused on summarizing essential doctrines of faith to clarify belief in a unified manner.

  • Bishops replaced the apostles in authority and oversight, fostering a structure to safeguard against heretical teachings.

Key Takeaways on Church Organization

  • The establishment of a church canon raised the question of what writings were to be considered authoritative. Early writings were debated but often coalesced around accepted letters and gospels.

  • The roles of bishops expanded as they emerged as the primary leaders within local churches, further delineating responsibilities and interactions with the broader Christian community.

  • This structured approach contrasts with more radical interpretations of faith that might advocate strict separation from culture.

Closing Points

  • The complexity of early church history was acknowledged, highlighting how internal and external pressures shaped its development and doctrinal definitions.

  • The discussion of how the church intertwined its beliefs with cultural norms offered an insight into its evolving identity through followers like Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian.