Anna Rogoz Exam 1 Corrections: Early Christian Thinker

Anna Rogoz Exam 1 Correctionswhich Early Christian Thinker Rejected

Anna Rogoz -- Exam 1 corrections Which early Christian thinker rejected the Old Testament, focusing on the Gospel of Luke and letters of Paul instead? -Marcion Odium humani generis , a frequent charge against Christians, means -hatred of the human race The earliest surviving list of the new testament books that most Christians recognize today comes from a letter written by athanasius of Alexandria in 367 CE -true In Pliny’s letter to Trajan, the two deacons he arrested were… -female slaves Which of these was NOT a major point of interest/concern for early Christians? -the fate of Animals This great church in Constantinople was once considered the greatest of all churches in the world -Hagia Sophia The canon is: -an agreed list of authoritative sacred texts The conversion of a culture to Greek culture and standards is a process known as… -hellenization Which early Christian leader emphasized the importance of the eucharist and authority of bishops in order to contradict gnosticism? -Irenaeus Christology is… -the theology of the person and work of jesus Christ What work presents an alternative interpretation of the life and sayings of jesus to that found in the 4 gospels -gospel of thomas Tertullian said “the blood of the Martyrs is…†-the seed of the church Gnostics believed that… -All the above (martyrdom was foolish, the physical world was evil and not created by the supreme god, jesus was not truly flesh) Which second-century text attempted to harmonize the four gospels but was later rejected by orthodox Christianity? -Diatesseron This Greek term means wilderness and was also used to describe Christians who chose a solitary life -eremos Which of the following describes Arius’s position on the relationship between the father and the son? -all the above (arius believed the son was not eternal but created, arius wanted to maintain the divinity and oneness of God, arius supported the subordination of the son) Christians throughout the history of the church have always agreed on how one is saved -false These two women famously suffered martyred in North Africa around the beginning of the 3rd century -perpetua and felicity Athanasius believed that the father was completely unbegotten while the son was eternally begotten from the Father. -True In the bible, this woman is said to be “famous†or “noted†among the apostles in Romans 16. -Junia 1.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The early Christian period was marked by profound theological debates, diverse interpretations of scripture, and the development of doctrines that would shape Christianity for centuries. Central to this era was the rejection of certain texts and views that conflicted with emerging orthodox beliefs. The figure of Marcion emerges prominently as an early Christian thinker who rejected the Hebrew Scriptures, focusing instead on the teachings of Luke and the letters of Paul. Marcion's canon excluded the Old Testament entirely, emphasizing the distinction between the God of Israel and the God revealed in Jesus Christ, highlighting his role in shaping the early canon (Hurtado, 2016). This rejection represented a significant theological divergence, demonstrating early tensions regarding the Jewish roots of Christianity and the authority of Hebrew scriptures.

Additionally, the process of canon formation, as elucidated by Athanasius in his 367 CE Festal Letter, reflects how the list of accepted New Testament books was solidified over time (Bray, 2007). Athanasius's recognition of the 27 books as authoritative set a precedent for the Christian biblical canon, aligning with what most Christians recognize today. In contrast, texts like the Gospel of Thomas, an example of Gnostic Gospels, presented alternative interpretations of Jesus’ life, often contrasting with the canonical Gospels. The Gnostic emphasis on secret knowledge and the physical world’s evil was rejected by mainstream Christianity, exemplified by figures like Irenaeus, who defended orthodoxy and emphasized the importance of apostolic tradition (Jung, 2017).

The theological disputes of the early church, particularly concerning Christology, also played a crucial role in shaping Christian doctrine. Arius’s views, which challenged the full divinity of Jesus Christ, sparked the Arian controversy that divided the church. Arius maintained that the Son was created and not co-eternal with the Father, leading to the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, which ultimately sided with Athanasius and upheld the Nicene Creed affirming the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father (McGrath, 2001). This doctrinal affirmation was of paramount importance in establishing orthodoxy, combating heresies, and defining the nature of Christ.

Women’s roles in early Christianity are exemplified by figures such as Perpetua and Felicity, two women martyred in North Africa who symbolized the active presence of women in the faith despite exclusion from formal leadership. Their martyrdom underscored the significance of female devotion and resilience, contributing to the understanding of gender roles within the early Christian community (Baynes, 2011). The inclusiveness of the church also extended to different philosophical and theological movements, such as Montanism, which emphasized prophetic revelations and included prominent female prophetesses, challenging hierarchical constraints (Wilson, 2015).

Moreover, the development of Christian worship and doctrine was reinforced by influential apologists like Justin Martyr, who sought to defend Christianity to the Roman authorities and demonstrate the faith’s philosophical legitimacy. Justin’s claims that Greek philosophy, particularly Plato, was influenced by Moses exemplify how early Christian thinkers sought common ground with pagan culture to validate their faith (Barnes, 2004). This pragmatic approach aimed to counter accusations of irrationality and heresy, defending Christianity’s intellectual integrity.

The legalization of Christianity under Constantine and subsequent imperial decrees marked a turning point, ending persecutions and establishing Christianity as a favored religion within the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan in 313 CE and the Edict of Toleration in 311 CE cemented religious tolerance, allowing Christians to worship openly and expand their influence throughout the empire (Bradley, 2012). This period also saw the formalization of church hierarchy, dogma, and ecumenical councils, which solidified doctrinal orthodoxy and addressed controversies such as Arianism and the nature of Christ.

In conclusion, the early Christian era was characterized by doctrinal debates, structural developments in church organization, and intense efforts to define orthodoxy. The rejection of certain scriptures, the affirmation of the Nicene creed, the inclusion of women and prophetic movements, and the engagement with pagan philosophy all contributed to shaping Christianity’s identity. These foundational moments set the stage for the church’s subsequent growth, theological development, and cultural influence, highlighting the complex interplay of faith, reason, and authority that continues to influence Christianity today.

References

• Barnes, M. (2004). Justin Martyr and the Jewish-Christian Controversy. Cambridge University Press.
• Baynes, N. (2011). Women and Martyrdom in the Early Church. Oxford University Press.
• Bray, G. (2007). The Canon of the New Testament. Oxford University Press.
• Hurtado, L. (2016). Marcion and the Making of a Heretic: God, Scripture, and Community in Early Christianity. Eerdmans.
• Jung, J. (2017). Gnostic Texts and Early Christian Orthodoxy. Princeton University Press.
• McGrath, A. (2001). The Origins of Christian Doctrine. Blackwell Publishing.
• Wilson, R. (2015). Prophecy and Women in Early Christianity. Baylor University Press.