History of the Church: Introduction and Early Centuries

What is Church History?

• Definition: Study of past events, councils, and issues related to the Church.
• Sources:
  • Birth of the Early Church: Book of Acts.
  • Persecuted Church: Roman records, historians like Josephus, writings of Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch.
  • Liturgical Life: Writings of Justin Martyr.
  • Expansion of the Church: Irenaeus of Lyon, Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius.
  • Councils: Written acts, writings of the fathers of the councils.

Benefits of Studying Church History

• Management of Church Matters Over the Centuries: Positive and negative examples to emulate or avoid.
  • Positive Example: Paul and Barnabas continued preaching despite their differences.
  • Negative Example: Political interference in the Council of Chalcedon.
• Identification of Cultural vs. Dogmatic Elements:
  • Spirit of Linguistic Adaptation: Church Fathers used the language of their time to formulate doctrines.
  • Plundering of Egyptian Gold: Christians can use secular philosophical language to formulate their orthodox theology.

Key Historical Events of the Early Centuries

Pentecost and Birth of the Church

• Day of Pentecost: Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples.
• Peter's Message: Three thousand convert and join the church.
• Early Preaching and Persecution: Stephen becomes the first martyr, Peter is imprisoned and freed by an angel.
• Conversion of Paul: From persecutor to preacher.
• First Council in Jerusalem: Decision on the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.

Development of the Church and Theology

Expansion and Scriptures

• Writing of the Gospels and Epistles: Effort by the Apostles to preserve Jesus' teachings.
• Formulation of the NT Canon: Debates and acceptance of authoritative books.

Heresies and Responses

• Gnosticism: Mix of Platonism and mythologies, opposed by Church Fathers.
• Marcion: Edited writings to remove worldly references.

Early Ecclesiastical Hierarchy

• Roles and Titles: Initial development of titles like bishop, presbyter, and deacon.

Persecutions and Martyrs

• Roman Persecutions: Various emperors, examples of martyrs.
• Church's Reaction: Debates on how to treat apostates and the value of martyrdom.

School of Alexandria

• Mutual Influence of Religion and Philosophy: Center of secular and theological learning.
• Importance of Monasticism and Eminent Figures: Origins and other influential teachers.

Fathers of the 3rd Century

• Ignatius of Antioch: Emphasis on ecclesiastical unity.
• Justin Martyr: Defense of Christianity against paganism, introduction to early Christian liturgy.
• Origen: Influential convert, multiple theological writings.

Fourth Century: Critical Developments

Constantine and the Legalization of Christianity

• Edict of Milan (313 AD): Religious tolerance.
• Monasticism: Expansion under leaders like St. Anthony and St. Pachomius.

Major Theological Controversies

Arianism

• Definition: Denial of the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father.
• Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Condemnation of Arianism, formulation of the Nicene Creed.

Beliefs of the Cappadocian Fathers

• Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzus: Development of key doctrines, combating heresies.

Fifth Century: Schism and Christological Controversy

Nestorian Controversy

• Council of Ephesus (431 AD): Condemnation of Nestorius' terminology, affirmation of the title Theotokos for Mary.

Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

• Definition of Faith: Formula of the union of two natures in Christ.
• Impact: Resulting schisms and rejection of certain elements by the church of Alexandria.