CHURCH FATHERS 1)JEROME Translated Bible in Latin 2)AMBROSE involved in politics Roman governor in northern Italy before age 30 did not want to be Church leader forced to become a bishop (had not even been baptized yet) exceptional orator / preacher ***1 st time Church triumphed over State

2)AMBROSE cont… STRENGTHENED CHURCH OVER STATE Theodosius had thousands killed for the death of a Roman governor Ambrose demanded he repent and was forbidden from attending worship until he prostrate himself at the altar Theodosius complied 3) AUGUSTINE = mistresses / child did not convert until age 32 liked sex rejected Christianity – did not understand how a sovereign God could allow evil and still be sovereign h eard a sermon by Ambrose knew Christianity was true, but did not convert CHURCH FATHERS

AUGUSTINE cont… Heard a little girl swinging and saying “take up and read” Romans 13:12 ”The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don’t live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds ….Clothe yourselves with the armor right living…” converted CHURCH FATHERS

AUGUSTINE Cont… 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1)Grace was a “monergistic” act of God and NOT “synergistic” (God/you)  man born into ”original sin” and cannot change  grace granted to those “predestined” by God -”Salvation by Faith alone” (Grace of God) 2)”City of God”  1 st Christian philosophy of history  feeling that Rome fell because it had rejected its gods – Augustine = NO >fell because it rejected the true God and embraced idolatry >”City of Man” will always fall to “City of God” CHURCH FATHERS

AUGUSTINE cont… 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 3)” The Confessions of Augustine ”  1 st Christian autobiography  recounts his testimony CHURCH FATHERS

4)GREGORY I  son of Roman Senator  became “Prefect” of Rome (Mayor)  deeper calling for life with God  gave wealth to poor  became Pope (1 st monk to become Pope)  strengthened role of the Church’s role as governmental leader  sent out many missionaries (Augustine) CHURCH FATHERS

376 – Attila pushing barbarians into Roman Empire 410 – fall of Rome 476 – fall of W. Roman Empire **Christianity existed, but no longer followed by masses** Opportunity for Missions RISE OF MISSIONARIES

1)Patrick – Ireland English Captured by Irish raiders Escaped returned to England Nightmares of Irish boys/girls going to hell Returned to Ireland as a Missionary RISE OF MISSIONARIES

2)Boniface – Germany -walks into ring where Thor was being worshipped at his sacred Oak and cuts tree down -waited for Thor to take revenge – nothing happened -took wood and built church – converted Germans RISE OF MISSIONARIES

3)Augustine – England  originally returned asking Pope Gregory not to be sent to England – NO! Must persevere  est. Christianity in England  est. Church of Canterbury – 1 st Archbishop 4)Clovis – France *Clotilda *Battle of Tobiac *”Battlefield Conversions” RISE OF MISSIONARIES