Major Figures Flashcards
(122 cards)
1
Q
Who was Justin Martyr?
A
An early apologist, trained in philosophy
2
Q
When did Justin Martyr live?
And how did he die?
A
100-165
Martyred in 165
3
Q
What is Justin Martyrs’ significant work?
A
“Apology”
4
Q
Where did Justin Martyr live throughout his life?
A
Palestine
Ephesus
Rome
5
Q
Why is Justin Martyr important to church history? (2)
A
1) Marries Christian thought and Greek philosophy
2) His writings are some of the earliest describing Christian worship services
6
Q
What were some of Justin Martyr’s main theological claims? (2)
A
1) Connections between Christianity and Platonism (Supreme being is God)
2) Doctrine of the Logos:
(All truth and reason come from Logos, including Plato)
7
Q
What is Marcion known for?
A
Starting Marcionism
8
Q
When did Marcion move to Rome?
A
144
9
Q
What is Marcion’s background?
A
- His Father was a bishop
- Marcion had issues with the suffering he saw in the world
- Church didn’t like his views, so he started his own church.
10
Q
Who is Irenaeus?
A
Bishop of Lyon
11
Q
What is Irenaeus’ background?
A
Disciple of Polycarp
12
Q
Where did Irenaeus live?
A
Born in Smyrna. Moved to Lyons.
13
Q
When did Irenaeus live?
A
Born: 135
Martyred: 202
14
Q
What were Irenaeus’ most notable writings?
A
“Demonstrations of Apostolic Preaching” and “Against Heresies”
15
Q
What were Irenaeus’ most notable theological claims? (3)
A
1) Apostolic Succession (teachings of Jesus handed down through direct succession of apostles, then to Bishops, thus implying authority of church)
2) Divination (We grow more and more in image of God)
3) Recapitulation (Jesus is the new head of the Church, Adam was the old head of humanity)
16
Q
Why is Irenaeus important to church history? (2)
A
1) Develops “Doctrine of Apostolic Succession”
2) First to use phrase “New Testament”
17
Q
Who is Tertullian?
A
Presbyter of Church in Carthage
Founder of Western Theology
18
Q
Where did Tertullian live?
A
Carthage
19
Q
When did Tertullian live?
A
160-220
20
Q
What is Tertullian’s background?
A
Studied as a lawyer, has a legal mind
21
Q
What are Tertullian’s thoughts on apostolic succession as it relates to heresies? (3)
A
1) Public link with apostles, no secret knowledge
2) Heretics don’t understand scripture (don’t understand underlying structure)
3) Heretics have no right to scripture, they belong to Christians.
22
Q
Tertullian wrote against Monarchianism What is that?
A
Monarchism: Monarchy of God, only one God (opposed to trinity)
23
Q
Tertullian wrote against Sebellianism. what is that?
A
Sebellianism: any belief that states: one God, three modes
24
Q
What is Tertullian’s most notable work?
A
“Prescription Against the Heretics”
25
What does Tertullian argue in "Prescription Against the Heretics"?
Using legal logic, Tertullian denies heretics access to the scriptures. Claiming they have no legal right to it.
26
What is Tertullian's conception of the Trinity?
one substance, three persons
27
What were Tertullian's religious affiliations later in life?
- Joined Montanists in 207 (he liked they were more rigorous)
- Then started his own movement, Tertullianism
28
What was Tertullian's opinion of Greek philosophy?
No use for philosophy, don’t need to believe in anything after Gospels.
29
Why is Tertullian important to church history? (4)
1) Translated scripture into Latin.
2) Development of Trinitarian theology (one substance, three persons)
3) Development of Christological theology (one person, two natures)
4) Founder of Western Theology
30
Who is Cyprian?
Bishop of Carthage
31
When did Cyprian live? and how did he die?
200-258
Arrested and beheaded
32
What is Cyprian's background?
Practiced law
33
What was the controversy surrounding Cyprian?
- Persecution breaks out
- Cyprian goes into hiding
- Runs church from hiding
- Some felt he abandoned flock.
34
What issue in Carthage did Cyprian contribute to? And what was the response?
What do you do with Christians who sacrificed to false gods or bought false certificates?
Response:
Bought false certificates? Re-admitted
Sacrificed? Only re-admitted on death bed
35
Where did Cyprian live?
Carthage
36
What was the controversy around baptism and what was Cyprian's view?
If people are coming from heretical churches, do they need to be re-baptized to join the Christian church?
Rome thinks if they have been baptized in the trinity, no need for re-baptism.
Cyprian disagrees! Believes no baptism is legitimate unless happens in the church.
37
Cyprian's main theological views? (2)
1) Ark of salvation (only saved in church)
2) Unity of Bishops (church is recognized by submission to Bishops)
38
Why is Cyprian important to church history? (1)
Ecclesiology: Doctrine of the Church
Outside the church, no spiritual life, no sacrament, no salvation. Just like the ark, no one outside the church can be saved.
39
Cyprian famous quote?
"No one can have God for his Father, who doesn't have the Church for his Mother"
40
Who is Clement?
Main Christian instructor in Alexandria
Major contributor to Eastern theology
41
What was Clement's aim in his work?
He was a thinker and researcher
He worked to convince pagan intellectuals that Christianity was valid.
42
When did Clement live?
150-215
43
Where did Clement live?
Born: Athens
Moved: Alexandria
Moved due to persecution: Eastern Mediterranean
44
Major work of Clements?
"Exhortation to the Pagans"
45
What were the theological beliefs that Clement had that he saw as congruent with Platonism? (3)
1) Philosophy given to Greeks like law given to Jews
2) Both lead to ultimate truth, revealed in Jesus
3) God is ineffable one, revealed to us in the Word or Logos
46
Other theological beliefs of Clement? (2)
1) Scripture is allegorical and has more than one meaning
2) Two levels of Christians:
- Simple Christians
- True Gnostics
47
Why is Clement important to church history? (2)
1) Doctrine of Logos
2) Encouraged Christians to be open to philosophy.
48
Who is Origen? (4)
1) Clement’s disciples
2) Trained catechumens in Alexandria
3) Ordained Presbyter
4) Ran Christian philosophy school
49
When did Origen live and how did he die?
185-254
Died at 70 yrs old after being tortured
50
Where did Origen live?
Alexandria
Caesarea
51
What was the relationship like between Origen and the Bishop of Alexandria
- At first good, Bishop made him the instructor of the catechumens
- Origen got increasingly famous
- Castrated himself, Bishop horrified, kicked him out
- Moved to Caesarea
52
What does Origen believe about scripture?
Scripture has three fold meaning:
1) Literal
2) Moral / tropological
3) Spiritual / allegorical
53
What does Origen believe about creation?
God created disembodied intellects, which fell from God, creating material world
54
What does Origen believe about God? (4)
1) God is pure spirit
2) We can know God through Word
3) Logos exists throughout all eternity “there is not when he was not”
4) Father is absolute - Son is derivative - thus less
55
What does Origen believe about salvation? (4)
1) God makes deal with devil: take my son, give me humanity
2) Devil lets go of humanity, grasps Jesus, but can’t hold Jesus
3) All souls will be restored
4) Not simply a return to beginning, but winning of an even greater perfection.
56
Why is Origen important to church history? (2)
1) Wrote Hexapla: 6 column OT, Hebrew, a Greek transliteration from Hebrew, 4 different Greek translations
2) Like Clement, encouraged Greek philosophy in Christian theology
57
Who is Perpetua?
Young, married, well off, had a baby, was martyred, wrote about her experience.
58
Where did Perpetua live?
Carthage
59
When did Perpetua die?
203
60
What do Perpetua's writings document?
Had visions from God and documented experience in prison, leading up to her martyrdom
61
Perpetua famous quote?
“I cannot be called anything than what I am, a Christian.”
62
Who is Constantine?
Emperor of Rome from 306-337
63
What is the story of Constantine's supernatural exposure to Christianity?
About to go into battle, had a dream telling him to put Christian symbol on shields (Labarum: first two letters of "Christ"), his soldiers did, and they were successful.
Become sole Emperor.
64
What was Constantine's relationship with Christianity? (3)
1) Believed Rome’s glory would be re-established through Christianity
2) Never submitted to Bishops or learned Christianity
3) Baptized on deathbed by Eusebius of Nicomedia (the Arian)
65
What city did Constantine establish and why?
Clashed with Roman senate
Built Constantinople as new Capital
66
When did Constantine die?
337
67
Why is Constantine important to church history? (4)
1) Called council of Nicea
2) End Christian persecution
3) New "friendly" relationship with between Empire and Church
4) The Empire influence and have say in the Church
68
Who is Pachomius?
Primary developer of Cenobitic Monasticism (communal)
69
How did Pachomius convert to Christianity?
- Forced to join army
- Vowed if he could leave army, would devote himself in service to others
- Left army suddenly
- Sought Christian instruction and baptism
- Went to desert to worship God
- Vision from God telling him to serve others
70
Where was Pachomius born?
Egypt
71
When was Pachomius born?
286
72
What were the values of Pachomius' Monastic community? (4)
1) Obedience
2) mutual service
3) Give up goods
4) Work with hands.
73
Why is Pachomius important to church history?
Developed Cenobitic Monasticism (communal)
74
Who is Arius?
Presbyter of Alexandria
75
What were Arius' theological claims ? (4)
1) Son was creature (albeit above and separate from humans)
2) Son had beginning (there was once when He was not)
3) Son cannot fully comprehend father
4) Son liable to change
76
Famous Arius quote?
“There was when He was not”
77
What theologians was Arius influenced by?
Influenced by Eastern theology (Justin, Clement, Origen)
78
Who did Arius clash with and why?
Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria
Alexander kicks out Arius for theological views, clashes, threatened to divide Eastern church
Augustine intervenes, calls Council of Nicea
79
Who is Athanasius?
Bishop of Alexandria
Most feared opponent of Arianism
80
What is Athanasius' background?
- Copt
- Lower class
- Visited Saint Anthony, a desert monk and wrote about him.
81
Where and when did Athanasius live?
296-373
82
Where did Athanasius live?
Alexandria
83
Major work of Athanasius?
"On the Incarnation of the Word"
84
What did Athanasius believe about salvation?
New creation required for restoration after sin, one who re-creates us cannot be lesser than creator.
85
What was Athanasius relationship with the empire?
Many trials, constantly being forced in and out of exile as different emperors either supported or denounced Arianism.
86
Why is Athanasius important to church history?
Champion of Nicene Orthodoxy
87
Who is Gregory of Nazianzus? (4)
Ordained Presbyter in Nazianzus
One of the Great Cappadocians
Leading role against Arians
Bishop in Constantinople
88
When did Gregory of Nazianzus live?
330-390
89
Where did Gregory of Nazianzus live?
Cappadocia
Constantinople
90
What did Gregory of Nazianzus believe about the names of those in the trinity?
The terms father, son, spirit, only reference how they relate to each other, not how they relate to humanity
Only distinction is in origination (opposed to substance or nature)
Father: unoriginate begetter
Son: Begotten (eternally begotten)
Holy Spirit: Emitted
91
Why is Gregory of Nazianzus important to church history? (3)
1) Leader against the Arians
2) Composed hymns still used in Orthodox church
3) His theology impacted the Council of Constantinople
92
Who is Macrina? (2)
Founder of Greek Monasticism
One of the Great Cappadocians
93
When did Macrina live?
327-380
94
Where did Macrina live?
Cappacdocia
95
Who are Macrina's siblings?
Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa
96
What impact did Macrina have on her siblings and family? (4)
1) Called out Basil when he was being arrogant, encouraging him to faithfulness
2) Spiritual leader of family amidst crisis
3) Basil modeled his monastic community off of his sisters
4) It was Gregory's last conversation with Macrina before she died that was the basis for "On the Soul and the Resurrection"
97
What is Macrina's background?
- Betrothed at 12
- Fiance died
- She committed to singleness and celibacy
98
What did Macrina do as her life's work?
Established monastic community for women in Annesi
99
What was Macrina known as?
"The Teacher"
100
Why is Macrina important to church history?
Founder of Greek Monasticism
101
Who is John Chrysostom?
Bishop of Constantinople
102
When did John Chrysostom live?
347-407
103
Where did John Chrysostom live?
Antioch
Constantinople
104
What is John Chrysostom's background?
- Trained as a lawyer
- Became Christian
- Trained with monks in Syrian mountains
- Became deacon
- Then Presbyter
- Forceful made Bishop of Constantinople.
105
What was John Chrysostom's time in Constantinople like?
- Couldn’t tolerate rich vibes of Constantinople and corruption of clergy
- Made church more accessible to the poor
- Called out laity for their wealth
- Preached against the powerful at Hagia Sophia
- Was exiled
- There was a riot, cathedral caught fire and was destroyed
- Later exiled again, died on the way.
106
Why is John Chrysostom important to church history? (2)
1) Great Preacher
2) Reformed life of clergy
107
Who is Apollinaris?
Founder of Apollinarianism
108
What is Apollinaris' background?
- Made bishop in opposition to Arian bishop
- In response to Arianism, takes up christology.
109
Where did Apollinaris live?
Alexandria
110
What did Apollinaris set out to guard / prove?
- Show how immutable word can unite with mutable humanity
- Guard integrity of person of Jesus AND immutability of the Logos
111
Where did Jerome live?
Rome
Antioch
Bethlehem
112
Who is Jerome?
Presbyter of Antioch
113
How is Jerome described?
Proud, stubborn, bitter, impatient
114
When did Jerome live?
345-420
115
What were Jerome's notable accomplishments? (2)
1) Started Monastic community with Paula in Bethlehem
2) Vulgate: Translated Hebrew scriptures to Latin (all other Latin scriptures translated from Septuagint)
116
Why is Jerome important to Church history?
Vulgate: Latin translation of Hebrew scriptures
117
Who is Augustine?
Bishop of Hippo
118
What is Augustine's background?
- Monica, Christian mom
- Student of rhetoric
- Realizes one must seek truth
- Spent 9 yrs exploring Manichaeism
- Teacher of rhetoric
- Got into Neoplatonism
- Heard Ambrose Preach
- Internal battle - finally converted
119
Before conversion, what were Augustine's main issues with Christianity? (2)
1) bible inelegant: had stories with violence and brutality
2) origin of evil: if a good God made everything, why so much evil?
120
What are some of the major writings of Augustine? (3)
"Confessions"
"Enchiridion"
"The City of God"
121
What are some of the major theological ideas Augustine developed? (7)
1) Free will
2) Origins of evil
3) Just War Theory
4) Irresistible Grace
5) Purgatory
6) Pre-destination
7) Corpus Permixtom: Mixed body
122
Why is Augustine important to Church history?
Most influential theologian in Western church
