Age of Catholic Christianity IIIAge of Catholic Christianity IIIAge of Catholic Christianity IIIAge of Catholic Christianity III

Heresy-Orthodoxy-The CanonHeresy-Orthodoxy-The CanonHeresy-Orthodoxy-The CanonHeresy-Orthodoxy-The Canon

The CanonThe Canon

Requirements for CanonizationRequirements for Canonization

1.1. Power over lives of peoplePower over lives of people

2.2. Must be used in WorshipMust be used in Worship

3.3. Direct connection to apostleDirect connection to apostle

4.4. Written in or around PalestineWritten in or around Palestine

The Necessity of the CanonThe Necessity of the Canon

A.K.A. HereticsA.K.A. Heretics

Marcion c.110-160Marcion c.110-160

• HereticHeretic

• Son of a bishopSon of a bishop

• Excommunicated for heresy, contempt of Excommunicated for heresy, contempt of authority and maybe seducing a virginauthority and maybe seducing a virgin

• Studied under the Gnostic CerdoStudied under the Gnostic Cerdo

• Wrote Wrote AntithesisAntithesis

• Met PolycarpMet Polycarp

Marcion’s Beliefs

1.1. OT God and Jews were EvilOT God and Jews were Evil

2.2. NT God gracious and goodNT God gracious and good

3.3. Wrote an 11 book Canon including a Wrote an 11 book Canon including a mangled Luke and 11 of Paul’s mangled Luke and 11 of Paul’s epistlesepistles

Mani 215-277Mani 215-277• Most influential GnosticMost influential Gnostic

• Persian philosopherPersian philosopher

• Systematized ManichSystematized Manichæism æism creating a long lasting systemcreating a long lasting system

• Martyred in Persia 277ADMartyred in Persia 277AD

Beliefs of Manichæism

1.1. Signaculum Oris – Purity in word and dietSignaculum Oris – Purity in word and diet

2.2. Signaculum manuum – Renunciation of Signaculum manuum – Renunciation of material pursuitsmaterial pursuits

3.3. Signaculum sinus – celibacySignaculum sinus – celibacy

4.4. 2 classes – “Perfect” and “Hearers”2 classes – “Perfect” and “Hearers”

5.5. 12 Apostles->72 Bishops->72 Disciples12 Apostles->72 Bishops->72 Disciples

Montanus Montanus Mid-Late 2Mid-Late 2ndnd Century Century

• Heterodox - Semi HereticHeterodox - Semi Heretic

• From Asia MinorFrom Asia Minor

• Somnambulistic EcstasiesSomnambulistic Ecstasies

• Inspired organ of the ParacleteInspired organ of the Paraclete

• Had 2 main Prophetesses Priscilla & Had 2 main Prophetesses Priscilla & MaximillaMaximilla

Montanists, Phrygians, and Montanists, Phrygians, and CataphrygiansCataphrygians

1.1. The Pneumatics “Spiritual Christians”The Pneumatics “Spiritual Christians”

2.2. Combated GnosticismCombated Gnosticism

3.3. AsceticismAsceticism

4.4. No forgiveness for mortal sin post-baptismNo forgiveness for mortal sin post-baptism

5.5. Miraculous Gifts - especially prophecyMiraculous Gifts - especially prophecy

6.6. Universal PriesthoodUniversal Priesthood

7.7. MillenarianismMillenarianism

ApologistsApologists

• Justin MartyrJustin Martyr

• TertullianTertullian

Quintus Septimius Florens TertullianusQuintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus

Tertullian c.155-230Tertullian c.155-230

• Born in CarthageBorn in Carthage

• Married and CelibateMarried and Celibate

• Eminent Theologian/ApologistEminent Theologian/Apologist

• 11stst to use term Trinity to use term Trinity

• Wrote Wrote ApologeticusApologeticus

• Attacked GnosticsAttacked Gnostics

• Became a MontanistBecame a Montanist

PolemicistsPolemicists

IrenIrenæus c.130-202æus c.130-202

• Disciple of PolycarpDisciple of Polycarp

• 11stst to use the entire New Testament to use the entire New Testament

• The enemy of error and schismThe enemy of error and schism

• Anti-Gnostic – He wrote a 5 volume Anti-Gnostic – He wrote a 5 volume Refutation of GnosticismRefutation of Gnosticism

Scientific TheologiansScientific Theologians

Origenes AdamantiusOrigenes Adamantius

Origen c.182-251Origen c.182-251• Studied under any and everyone even hereticsStudied under any and everyone even heretics• 3 level method of scripture interpretation: 3 level method of scripture interpretation:

literal, moral, and spiritual literal, moral, and spiritual • The 3The 3rdrd leader of the Alexandrian School from leader of the Alexandrian School from

202-232202-232• Started his own school in CStarted his own school in Cææsareasarea• Very, Very, VERY AsceticVery, Very, VERY Ascetic• Tortured under Decius then died after releaseTortured under Decius then died after release