ProtoOrthodoxEarly Catholics Apocryphal Gospels e g Gospel of

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: Gnosticism Arianism Monophysitism

Aeon Aeon God Aeon Aeon Sophia

Aeon Aeon Sophia Aeon God Aeon Aeon

Aeon Aeon God Aeon Demiurge Aeon

Gnostics containing divine sparks wanting to return to divine realm. Salvation could be achieved by gaining appropriate knowledge (gnosis) from divine realm Knowledge brought by an aeon…

Gnostic views of Christ: 1. Spiritual being who instructed disciples while masquerading as a human 2. Spiritual being temporarily inhabiting human body of Jesus

Classic features of Gnostics: 1. Elitist 2. Secretive 3. Often ascetic, despite claims of critics 4. Complex, opaque teachings

319 Arius (d. 336), a priest of Alexandria, excommunicated for claiming Christ not eternal, but separate entity begotten by God Further teachings: Christ created so that God might create universe through him Christ sharing divine power but subject to sin

325 Council of Nicea summoned by Constantine, produces Nicene creed 330 -79 Arianism enjoys imperial favour 381 Council of Constantinople summoned by Theodosius I (r. 379 -95), outlaws Arianism

c. 360 Apollinaris (d. c. 392), Bishop of Laodicea, teaches that Christ has only one, divine nature inhabiting human body. Logos (Word) taking place of soul In response, Nestorius (d. c. 451), Patriarch of Constantinople, preaches that Christ has two natures and two persons, one human, one divine. Teaching known as Nestorianism (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 two natures, one human, one divine, fused into one = Monophysitism 451 Council of Chalcedon. Monophysitism and Nestorianism condemned, but still practiced centuries later (e. g. by Copts in Egypt)

Influence of upper, rich classes on Christian clergy and practice Latin as language of worship and writing Worship becoming highly ritualised Eucharist as central, ritualised part of Mass, conducted by educated clergy Wine only given to laity in 15 th c.

Cult of Saints Relics Accounts of Saints’ Lives Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem First accounts of saints’ lives written in late 4 th/early 5 th c. Growth of Cult of Saints in following centuries

The Nicene Creed Statement of belief from Council of Nicea, 325 Ambrose (c. 339 -397) Bishop of Milan and staunch defender of the church, even from demands of emperors