A brief examination of church history

Church History

Creeds, Councils, and Heretics

1. Introduction2. The Church Fathers3. Creeds, Councils,

and Heretics4. The Cannon5. Eastern Orthodoxy6. Roman Catholicism 7. The Crusades and

Islam8. The Reformation

(Continental Europe)9. The Reformation

(the British Isles)10. The Puritans and

Colonial America11. 1st and 2nd Great

Awakenings12. Liberal Christianity13. Retrospect and

Prospect

Course Outline

313 – Edict of Milan315 – Arian Controversy Begins325 - Council of Nicea330 - Constantinople founded354 - Augustine is born361 - Julian the Apostate gains

control381 - Council of Constantinople410- Fall of Rome431- Council of Ephesus451 - Council of Chalcedon

Historical Context

DefinitionsOrthodoxy – Literally “Right Belief”Heresy - an error in an essential doctrine of

ChristianityWhich came first?

Implicit OrthodoxyExplicit Heresy

Christianity generates more heresies than any other religion

Heresies are always “dressed” in Christianity though they are often another religion altogether

Heresies and Orthodoxy

One of the earliest Christian heresies

Gnostic TeachingsGnosis – a secret knowledgeThe material world is evilEvil and good are in constant

conflict – dualismDocetism – Christ only appeared

to be humanChrist as mediator

Gnostic infiltration of ChristianityThree pathsSyncretistic Christianity

Gnosticism

Was a gnosticDistinction between

the Old Testament Creator and God the Father

Created the first cannon

Saw Christ as the revelation of God the Father to free us from the Creator

Law vs. Gospel

Marcion – The First Great Heretic

Roots of the controversy

Two sides: Arius and Athanasius

Christ’s divinity: what’s at stake?

The Council of NiceaThe council’s verdictThe Nicene Creed

Araianism – Christ's Divnity

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

The Nicene Creed

Pelagius’ belief on human natureHumans are not

corrupted from birthHumans are free to

choose to sin or not sinAugustine's refutation of

PelagiusOriginal sinThe freedom of the will

Pelagianism – Man's Nature

Augustine was born in 354 in Northern AfricaHis father was a pagan, but his mother, Monica, was a

devout ChristianWent to Rome to teach Rhetoric and eventually moved

to MilanStarted listening to Ambrose’s sermons and was

eventually converted by what he heardEventually moved back to Northern Africa and became

Bishop of HippoWrote many books against heresies and defending the

Christian faithDied as the Vandals were conquering the Roman empire

The Life of Augustine