Christianity in 2nd & 3rd Centuries: Rituals, Life, Women's Roles & Church Leadership, Study notes of Christianity

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Christianity Emerges

Changes in the 2

nd

rd

Centuries

1. Christian Ritual

• Eucharist (Thanksgiving)

• (^) Language emphasized the Real (material?)

presence of Christ (in the elements) perhaps

in response to Docetists (Christ Seemed

human)…How literally Christians took these

statements is unclear.

• (^) Worship leaders (presbyter/bishops) become

more powerful as they determine who does or

does not receive the bread and wine.

1. Christian Ritual

• (^) “Canon of Truth,” “Rule of Faith,” (Modern term “Kerygma”) is simply a summation of Christian teachings.
• (^) The recitation of a summary statement became an identity badge for members.
• (^) Creeds (Credo – I believe) were regularly recited in worship services (“liturgies”) and became standard once the structure of a worship service was recorded in written liturgies.
• (^) Only after the development of the Nicene Creed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 did creeds become tests of fellowship where the use of the wrong wording could result in being kicked out of the Church.

2. Christian Life

• (^) “Two Ways,” “Way of Life” terms describing

emphasis on moral conduct.

• (^) Sexual Practices
  • (^) Ascetic abstinence from sexual activity is admired (recommended by some)
  • (^) Sexual moderation (marriage is good) avoid fornication, adultery & homosexuality…the standard moral ideal of the day
• (^) Charity
  • Care for poor, widows, orphans, elderly, prisoners
  • (^) Care for sick

4. Christian Hope

• Eschatological hope for a millennial reign

on earth rises when pressure is applied by

the state but decreases as pressure drops

and time passes.

• Expectation of a delayed return and

spiritual kingdom becomes the standard

message.

• Christians come to more peaceable terms

with pagan culture.

5. Roles of Church Leaders Evolve
6. Bishop/Presbyters serve as council of advisor/mentors for the community
7. Individual Bishops begin to emerge as dominant leaders in some churches as a matter of expediency and the result of personal talents

6. Views of the Church Evolve

1. All members are Saints

2. The Clergy (leadership) must be Saints

3. The Church embraced “Saints” and

“Sinners”…mostly perceive themselves

as sinners who admire heroic saints.

4. Sacraments of the Church are the only

true sacred elements as all individuals

are sinners. (Augustine, 4

th

th

century)

Peace & Persecution

• (^) Peace
  • (^) 211-250 Ignored
  • (^) 222-235 Alexander Severus favorable
  • (^) 244-249 Philip the Arabian Christian? – probably not
  • (^) 260-303 ignored
    • (^) Persecuted
      • (^) 202 Conversion forbidden by Septimius Severus
      • (^) 249-251 persecution by Decius
      • (^) 253-260 persecution by Valerian - (^) Systematic attacks on Christian leadership and members of the upper classes and standard requirement of sacrifice