II' From the Apologists to Constantines Conversion

1
II. From the Apologists to Constantines
Conversion

• (ca. 150 ca. 312)

2
2nd-Century Accusations against Christians

• Atheism
• Hatred of the human race
• Immorality
• Treason
• Cannibalism

3
The Church under Siege

• Sporadic persecution prior to 249
• Decian/Valerian persecution (249-51, 257-60)
• Diocletian persecution (303 - ca. 313)

4
The Churchs Response to Persecution

• Secrecy
• Martyrdom
• Capitulation
• Apologetics

5
Christians Who Defended the Faith

• Aristides of Athens apology to Emperor Hadrian
  (died A.D. 138)
• Justin Martyr apology against Judaism and two
  apologies to Roman emperors (ca. 155 and ca. 161)
• Tatian Oration to the Greeks (ca. 175)
• Theophilus of Antioch began to assimilate
  Christianity and Greek philosophy

6
Justin Martyr (ca. 100 ca. 165)

• Born into a pagan familly in Samaria.
• Trained as a philosopher.
• Became a Christian in 130.
• Taught philosophy from a Christian perspective in
  Ephesus and Rome.
• Executed ca. 165 for refusing to sacrifice to the
  emperor.

7
Justins Writings

• Dialogue with Trypho (ca. 135)
• Apology against Judaism
• First Apology (ca. 155)
• Addressed to Emperor Antoninus Pius
• Second Apology (ca. 161)
• Addressed to Emperor Marcus Aurelius

8
Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 130 ca. 200)

• From Smyrna in Asia Minor.
• Studied and then taught at Rome.
• Became bishop of Lyons in 178.
• Suffered greatly under persecution and may have
  died as a martyr.

9
Irenaeus Writings

• Against Heresies (ca. 180)
• A very long explanation and refutation of
  Gnosticism
• Emphasizes Scripture and theological tradition
  (Rule of Faith)
• Proof of the Apostolic Preaching (ca. 190)
• A summary of the content of the Rule of Faith
  (Christian doctrine)

10
Minucius Felix (early 3rd century)

• Probably an African, but writing in Rome.
• Author of Octavius, an apology in the form of a
  dialogue between Octavius (a Christian) and a
  pagan named Caecilius.
• Deals mainly with charges leveled against
  Christians.
• Little explication of Christian doctrine.

11
Tertullian (ca. 160 ca. 225)

• From Carthage in North Africa, where he was a
  rhetorician who may have also practiced law.
• Became a Christian in 197 (in his mid-30s).
• Joined the Montanists in 206.
• Was fiercely critical of moral laxity among both
  pagans and Christians.

12
Tertullians Writings

• Many moral treatises urging Christians to
  separate from the sins of pagan society
• Anti-heretical works against Marcionism,
  Gnosticism, and Sabellianism
• Apologetic works directed toward pagans

13
Hippolytus (ca. 170 ca. 236)

• A Roman who may have been a disciple of Irenaeus.
• Wrote against Sabellianism and criticized Popes
  Zephyrinus and Callistus for failing to suppress
  it.
• Opposed the laxity of the Romans in allowing
  pagans into the Church without strict penance.
• He may have been elected as rival bishop of Rome
  ca. 220.
• His Apostolic Tradition is our best source for
  understanding public worship in Rome in the 2nd
  and early 3rd centuries.

14
Clement of Alexandria (ca. 150 215)

• Perhaps from Athens, and certainly a student of
  philosophy.
• Became head of the new catechetical school in
  Alexandria in ca. 190.
• Sought to synthesize Greek philosophy and
  Christian faith.
• Gives us important information about Christian
  worship practices.

15
Origen of Alexandria (ca. 185 254)

• Raised in a Christian family in Alexandria.
• His father was killed in a local persecution in
  202, and Origen almost shared the same fate.
• Was head of the Alexandrian catechetical school.
• Lived a strictly ascetic life.
• Was the early Churchs most prolific writer and
  first systematic theologian.

16
Origens Writings

• On First Principles
• The first systematic theology
• Many problems, which led to Origens condemnation
  in 553
• Against Celsus
• A refutation of the pagan philosophers
  criticisms of Christianity
• Many, many others

17
Cyprian (died 258)

• A pagan rhetorician from Carthage.
• Became a Christian ca. 246.
• An avid student of Scripture and of Tertullians
  writings.
• The great champion of Church unity after the
  Decian persecution.
• An important witness to the development of
  worship practices.

18
Review of Part 2 (ca. 150-312)

• Church Leadership
• Continued emphasis on the character of church
  officers.
• Even stronger emphasis on the role of the bishop.
• Loss of idea of priesthood of all believers, as a
  separate priestly caste begins to emerge. The
  bishop is the high priest in the celebration of
  the Eucharist.

19
Review of Part 2 (ca. 150-312)

• Public Worship Patterns
• Continued centrality of Eucharist in worship.
• Eucharist is less a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
  but rather a sacrifice of Christ himself.
• Baptism as washing away past sins, as a
  dedication of ourselves to God, and as a sign of
  church unity.
• Clear evidence of infant baptism in late second
  and early third centuries.
• Beginnings of set worship patterns Service of
  the Word, Service of the Table.

20
Review of Part 2 (ca. 150-312)

• Preaching and Evangelism
• Rise in the use of reason to defend Christians
  against pagan charges.
• Strong emphasis on the evangelistic value of
  Christian character and church unity.

21
Review of Part 2 (ca. 150-312)

• Private Worship Patterns
• Emphasis on private prayer at fixed intervals as
  reminders of the crucifixion.
• Provision for private reading of Scripture.
• Idea of prayer as wrestling with God.
• Continued emphasis on fasting.

22
Review of Part 2 (ca. 150-312)

• Spirituality
• Continued stress on a forward-looking
  spirituality, but more emphasis on the basis of
  Christian spirituality.
• Much focus on correcting pagan misconceptions
  about Christian practices.
• Defining oneself in terms of what one does not
  do.
• Rise of a class system within Christianity.