persecution 2nd phase

Question 1

who was Decius and how did he come into power?

Answer 1

Decius who was a general in the army overthrew the emperor to become the emperor himself

Question 2

what effect did Decius becoming emperor have on the church

Answer 2

the church had protection and toleration during the prior emperors reign this changed with Decius. He believed “the church was a deadly threat to the empires unity and stability”

Question 3

what did Decius blame the christians for (goths) and his reaction

Answer 3

series of invasions by tribe known as goths which shook the empire. Decius blamed the christians as they didn’t worship the gods

Decius decided “he must eliminate the church”

Question 4

what measures did Decius take to reaffirm imperial strength?

Answer 4

assumed the name of Trajan (famous predecessor)

minted coins with former successful emperors on them - reminding of good times

required universal sacralise to gods demonstrating his traditionalism

Question 5

what occurred during the first phase of Decius’ persecution

Answer 5

church leaders appeared to be attacked
fabian, bishop of Rome was executed
bishop cyprian went into hiding

Question 6

what occurred during the second phase of Decius’ persecution

Answer 6

an edict was issued by Decius requiring all citizens to sacrifice to the gods. indirectly targeted to christians as it would identify who was christian. persecution was now universal not local and systematic rather than spontaneous as Decius allowed no variation

Question 7

what happened after citizens made the sacrifice (goat or sheep)

Answer 7

a commissioner issued a certificate known as libellus to confirm compliance with edict. the libellus had the persons name hometown and age on it

Question 8

how did different christians react to the edict

Answer 8

devasting impact upon church throughout empire, compliance with edict thus apostasy from faith was widespread

Question 9

why did persecution eventually ease off?

Answer 9

Decius died while at war with the goths

Question 10

who are the sacrificati

Answer 10

those who sacrificed

Question 11

who are the libellatici

Answer 11

those who bribed and gained certificate

Question 12

what conclusion did the confessors come to in dealing with the lapsed (no church leader)

Answer 12

they wrote letters of peace to those who had lapsed and repented stating peace had been granted and where forgiven

Question 13

what was cyprian view on the confessors decision

Answer 13

he was opposed as he believed apostasy was serious yet pardonable with genuine repentance and that the presbyters acted too hastily

Question 14

who is novatus?

Answer 14

anti cyprian presbyter who formed a group of 5 others - they took a more lenient attitude towards the lapsed in Carthage

Question 15

who is novatian?

Answer 15

group leader who took a stricter attitude towards the lapsed than cyprian and argued they shouldn’t be allowed back tot he church at all in Rome

Question 16

what decision did the church eventually come to

Answer 16

cyprian returned to Carthage where the council addressed the lapsed judging each case individually
libellaciti where restored to church after penances were done

sacrificati could only be restored on their deathbed if they where penitent till the end

Question 17

how did cyprian and Stephen bishop of Rome differ on views of schismatic baptism?

Answer 17

Stephen (bishop of Rome) said those who received schismatic baptism could be re-admitted to the Catholic Church without re-baptism whereas cyprian said they couldn’t and need to be baptised again

Question 18

how does N R need ham describe Diocletian

Answer 18

“was a great political reformer and carried out a drastic re-organisation of the empire”

Question 19

what did Diocletian do with the the empire

Answer 19

divided the empire into 2 parts with each part being ruled by a senior emperor (Augustus) along with a junior colleague (caesar)

Question 20

who was the Augustus and caesar in the west

Answer 20

maximian (augustus) and constantius (caesar)

Question 21

who was Augustus and caesar in the east

Answer 21

diocletian (Augustus) and galerius (caesar) diocletians son in law

Question 22

how successful was this system?

Answer 22

worked well and Diocletian retained power throughout empire , when an Augustus died the caesar steps in. he also changed the structure of the courts, civil service and army swell as other economic and social reforms. these reforms were so successful it enabled the empire to last another 1000yrs

Question 23

why did diocletian leave the church alone for his first 18yrs in power?

Answer 23

his own wife and daughter were admittedly christian by faith

Question 24

how does need ham describe galleries’ views on christianity

Answer 24

“galerius was extremely hostile to christianity”

Question 25

what factors led to the great persecution

Answer 25

the church grew and prospered as christianity began holding positions in the government and their refusal to worship gods overlooked large church buildings built paganism in decline while christianity grew nervousness about christian disloyalty to empire

Question 26

what was ordered in the first edict ordered during the great persecution

Answer 26

ordered the destruction of church buildings, burning of scripture loss of civil rights and forbid meeting for worship aswell requested surrender of church property

Question 26

what did galerius do to initiate the great persecution

Answer 26

instigated all soldiers must sacrifice to the gods galerius wanted a global persecution against persecution although diocletian opposed but yielded to his demands

Question 26

what was ordered in the first edict

Answer 26

ordered the destruction of church buildings, scripture and loss of civil rights swell as forbidding worship

Question 26

what was included in the second edict ordered

Answer 26

ordered the imprisonment of clergy causing prisons to be overcrowded so no room for actual prisoners

Question 27

what was ordered in the third edict

Answer 27

required the release of clergy upon sacrifice torture was used as means to comply causing many to sacrifice

Question 27

what was ordered in the 4th edict

Answer 27

required general sacrifice throughout empire due to diocletians poor health galerius stepped in he later imposed the universal persecution making many martyrs

Question 28

what was involved in the 5th edict

Answer 28

propaganda war imposed against church, required another general sacrifice enforced by military who checked citizens names on list number of measures introduced in order to revive paganism and decline christianity

Question 28

outline reasons for and the terms of galerius' edict of toleration

Answer 28

galerius was struck with illness and so granted religious toleration allowed christians to exist again and re-establish their place of worship along as they did nothing against public order and prayed for the security of the empire and its leaders

Question 29

how did the edict of Milan come about

Answer 29

Constantine moved against Maxentius to aquire supremacy in the west by defeating him at the battle of milvian bridge prior to which Constantine saw a cross in the sky with the words "In this sign, conquer." This led him to adopt Christianity so him and co-emperor licinius made the edict of Milan granting religious tolerance across empire this united the empire and grew his support with christians

Question 30

what is the donatist controversy

Answer 30

as with the delian persecution and the problem with the lapsed so did the great persecution have a lasting impact on the church due to a bishop (Felix) was accused of handing over scripture during the persecution yet was still supported by the church causing a split with North African churches

Question 31

how are christians still persecuted today (human experience) islamic extremism

Answer 31

- 21 coptic martyrs of Libya 2015 a video was released by isis showing the beheading of orthodox captives on a beach dressed in orange jumpsuits the men were altered declared saints

Question 32

how are religious believers still persecuted today (human experience) ethnic nationalism

Answer 32

nazi Germany carried out genocide from 1936-45 killing an estimated 6 million jews along with black people, gypsies

Question 33

how are christians still persecuted today (human experience) secular society

Answer 33

in a secular society the powers of the church and state are separate in France the government is officially secular meaning the government doesn't endorse any particular religion this can promote division and confusion as too many religions cause too many contradictions leading to killings

Question 34

who are open doors organisation?

Answer 34

non-denominational mission supporting persecuted christians around the world providing emergency relief aid and providing bibles

Question 35

why is china on the open doors watch list

Answer 35

Chinese communist party aim is to make sure churches don't fall out of line with official viewpoint no u18's allowed in church and any church that declares christ is king is viewed suspiciously