Proto-Orthodox/Early Catholics

Apocryphal Gospels, e.g. Gospel of Thomas,Gospel of Philip

Other apocryphal texts, e.g. Acts of Paul,Shepherd of Hermas

Heresies: GnosticismArianismMonophysitism

God

Aeon Aeon Aeon Aeon

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Sophia

God

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Sophia

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God

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Demiurge

Gnostics containing divine sparks wantingto return to divine realm.

Salvation could be achieved bygaining appropriateknowledge (gnosis) fromdivine realm

Knowledge brought by anaeon…

Gnostic views of Christ:

1. Spiritual being who instructeddisciples while masqueradingas a human

2. Spiritual being temporarilyinhabiting human body of Jesus

Classic features of Gnostics:

1. Elitist

2. Secretive

3. Often ascetic, despite claims ofcritics

4. Complex, opaque teachings

319 Arius (d. 336), a priest of Alexandria,excommunicated for claiming Christnot eternal, but separate entity begottenby God

Further teachings:

Christ created so that God might createuniverse through him

Christ sharing divine power but subjectto sin

325 Council of Nicea summoned by Constantine,produces Nicene creed

330-79 Arianism enjoys imperial favour

381 Council of Constantinople summoned byTheodosius I (r. 379-95), outlawsArianism

c. 360 Apollinaris (d. c. 392), Bishop ofLaodicea, teaches that Christ has only one,divine nature inhabiting human body.Logos (Word) taking place of soul

In response, Nestorius (d. c. 451), Patriarch ofConstantinople, preaches that Christ hastwo natures and two persons, one human,one divine. Teaching known asNestorianism

(Mainstream view is two natures, one human,one divine, in one person)

Theologians of Alexandria attack Nestorius’teaching. Some, led by Eutyches(d. c. 454), state that Christ has twonatures, one human, one divine, fusedinto one = Monophysitism

451 Council of Chalcedon. Monophysitismand Nestorianism condemned, butstill practiced centuries later (e.g. byCopts in Egypt)

Influence of upper, rich classes onChristian clergy and practice

Latin as language of worship andwriting

Worship becoming highly ritualised

Eucharist as central, ritualised part ofMass, conducted by educated clergy

Wine only given to laity in 15th c.

Cult of Saints Relics

Accounts of Saints’ Lives

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

First accounts of saints’ lives written in late4th/early 5th c.

Growth of Cult of Saints in followingcenturies

The Nicene Creed

Ambrose (c. 339-397)

Statement of belief from Council of Nicea, 325

Bishop of Milan and staunch defender of thechurch, even from demands of emperors