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Why necessary for creeds? Bec. rise of heretical writings and beliefs....
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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