Church History and Historical Theology Week 3 Third and Fourth Centuries

Church in Society and Politics Opponents of Christianity : 1. Celsus (c.180) 2. Porphyry (c.280) – Plotinus’ Neoplatonism 3. Emperor Decius (250) – a. systematic persecution for Christians not sacrificing to the gods – this allowed Gothic invasions – libellus required b. martyred the bishops of Rome, Jerusalem, and Antioch

Church in Society and Politics Opponents of Christianity : 4. Emperor Diocletian (303) a. false oracles were caused by Christians b. edicts – 1.) destroy all churches 2.) confiscate all Bibles and liturgies and sacred vessels 3.) worship meetings banned 4.) arrest all clergy 5.) sacrifice to the gods or die

Emperor Constantine AD 312 Political background – map Gonzalez, p.103 p.114 2. Personal background – pro-Christian policies synergistic with pagan worship Political accomplishments – militarily with Maxentius at Rome, Licinius at Milan “Christian” accomplishments –Edict of Milan AD 313

Arius the Presbyter: AD 325-336 Bishop Alexander of Alexandria Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria Arius’ political war and maneuvering Jesus the Son was a created inferior god (to preserve the Platonic or Jewish single God?)

Arian Controversy Persons: Arius of Alexandria – only a presbyter Eusebius of Nicomedia – Arius’ voice Eusebius of Caesarea – compromising scholar Alexander of Alexandria – bishop defender Athanasius of Alexandria – deacon defender “the black dwarf” but a theological giant Constantine – added homoousios Cappadocian Fathers – Basil of Caeserea, Gregory Nazianzum, Gregory Nyssan

Nicene Council AD 325 1. Unique in all of history – attendees/purpose 2. Political versus religious motivations 3. Decisions of the council 4. Problems with the council

Nicene Council AD 325 Issues: Persecution – readmitting the lapsed Offices of the clergy – bishops and presbyters Hierarchy of holy sees – “pecking order” Arian Controversy – the Son as a created being

Nicene Council AD 325 Parties: Arians – Son less than god the Father Orthodox – Son equal to the Father 3. Patripassians – later condemned 4. Western bishops – Tertullian’s formula alone 5. Majority – peace after persecution compromise is possible

Nicene Creed AD 325 We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, that is, from the substance of the Father, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of one substance [homoousias] with the Father, through whom all things were made, both in heavens and on the earth, who for us humans and for our salvation descended and became incarnate, becoming human, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Spirit. But those who say that there was time when He was not, and that before being begotten He was not, or that He came from that which is not, or that the Son of God is of a different substance [hypostasis] or essence [ousia], or that He is created, or mutable, these the catholic church anathematizes.

Nicene Creed AD 325 We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, that is, from the substance of the Father, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of one substance [homoousias] with the Father, through whom all things were made, both in heavens and on the earth, who for us humans and for our salvation descended and became incarnate, becoming human, suffered and rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Spirit. But those who say that there was time when He was not, and that before being begotten He was not, or that He came from that which is not, or that the Son of God is of a different substance [hypostasis] or essence [ousia], or that He is created, or mutable, these the catholic church anathematizes.

Arian Controversy AD 325-381 Nicene Council to Constantine’s death 325- 337 a. Eusebius of Nicomedia manipulates Constantine b. Athanasius’ repeated exiles/returns Constantius II 337- 361 a. Antioch Council 341 with Constantius – condemned Marcellus b. Athanasius returns to Alexandria 346 celebration c. Constantius II Arian proponent – in 353, threatened bishops who would not condemn Athanasius d. Athanasius flees to desert for 5 years e. Blasphemy of Sirmium – rejected Nicene Creed by “state decree” 3. Julian to Theodosius I 361- 381 a. Julian tries to silence Athanasius b. Jovian supports then Valens opposes Athanasius (d. 373) c. Arianism rejected 381 2nd Ecumenical Council Constantinople 97 Greek bishops met

Athanasius AD 328-373 The “black dwarf” was a theological giant Insight to see that Arianism destroyed the Gospel Rejected speculation, adhered to Scripture Christ’s Incarnation as fully God was paramount Godly life and respect of commoners/monks Endured relentless persecution to ultimately win (5 exiles over 17 years by 4 emperors – Constantine, Constantius II, Julian, Valens) “Athanasius contra mundum” Defended Trinitarianism and 26 NT book canon Perhaps the greatest hero of Christianity Letters to Serapion about the Holy Spirit as God

Factors in the Arian Controversy Politics – autonomy of sees Rome as final apostolic authority v. Eastern 2. Geography – East versus West Alexandria/Rome v. Constantinople/Antioch 3. Language – Greek v. Latin hypostases v. substantiae (Tertullian one substance) Theology – Neoplatonic v. Christian single god of Sabellianism/Monarchianism v. Trinity homoousias (same) v. homoiousias (like) Macedonians/Pneumatomachi v. Trinitarian Apollinarius of Laodicea 360s – Logos replaced the human mind Hypostasis – that which exists in its own right Dynamic Monarchiansim = Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians Modal Monarchianism = Oneness Pentecostals (United Pentecostal and United Apostolic Churches) Apoliinarius – extreme Anti-Arian position

The Great Cappadocians 350-390 Eastern Orthodoxy highly reveres these men Basil “the Great” of Caeserea – highly educated Gregory “the Theologian” of Nyssa - contemplation Macrina – “The Teacher” sister of Basil/Gregory Gregory of Nazianzus – friend of Basil Eastern monasticism learned from Egypt

Ambrose of Milan Bishop of Milan AD 373 – 397 Classically trained statesman Best of Christian values and leadership Sold the Church’s gold to help the poor Trained in Neoplatonism Opposed Emperors with truth Opposed Empress Justina’s (Arian) troops Risked his life refusing communion to Emperor Theodosius for murdering 7000 in Thessalonica