History of Christianity 1: Module 8

Christian thinker who drew heavily on Plato, and sought to show that Greek philosophy and Christianity teach the same truth. Used an allegorical interpretation of Scripture to do so.

The first Christian emperor of Rome, who officially ended all persecution of Christians.

A general word used to describe all monastics who lived by charity. Many were travelling monks.

An early heresy that started with a dualistic idea of reality consisting of a pure world of spirit and an evil world of matter. It stressed the use of secret knowledge of the initiated in their ritual and doctrines to find salvation.

Those who rejected the idea of Christ having two natures. They taught that He had only one nature.

A monk whose highest ideal was poverty, who preached the beauty of poverty. He gave away all that he had, and founded a mendicant order.

The document that most influenced the activities of Medieval monasticism.

A student of Clement, who was orthodox on central doctrines, but felt the freedom to speculate on all others, which led him to be closer to Platonism than Christianity in many issues.

Affirmed the doctrine that Christ had Two natures in One Person. Became the Orthodox definition of Christology.

Heretic who claimed that the Son was not equally eternal with the Father.

A monastery in southern France. It was the center of monastic reform, returning to the ideals of Benedict's Rule.

Roman emperor infamous for persecuting Christians in brutal ways such as lighting them on fire as torches.

The idea of universal reason that undergirds all of reality. Christians identified this with Jesus.

Most influential figure in western monasticism. Wrote "the Rule," in which he insisted that monks have obedience and stability, as well as do physical labor.

Roman emperor under whom was the worst persecution of Christians.

Ancient Christian historian who is the source of much of our information about the early church period.

He advocated for the Arian position at the council of Nicaea and with the emperors after the council was concluded.

The philosophy begun by Socrates that is characterized by a division of reality into the material and spiritual worlds.

The occasion of Constantine's conversion to Christianity, according to Constantine himself.

The idea that church leadership was faithful to Christ by being in conformity with the first teaching, based on passing the teaching on from one leader to another.

The combining of elements from one or more religions and/or worldviews to form a new mixed religion/worldview.

Leader of a monastery. All monastics were required to live in obedience to this person.

Bishop of Alexandria who stood against the world in opposing Arianism.

Firmly and finally decided the doctrine of the trinity to be orthodox and Arianism to be heresy.

Early leader who was an old man when he was arrested. He had a vision that he would be burned alive, and faithfully testified about Christ even while being burned alive.

A Writing in the Apostolic Fathers that was considered the teaching of the 12 apostles for Christian life and church organization.

Student of philosophy who was converted to Christ. He became one of the best Christian scholars of his time. He taught Christianity as "the True Philosophy."

Patriarch of Constantinople, who was caught in a debate over whether Mary could be called "Mother of God." His name is given to the heresy which taught that in Jesus there was two persons - a divine person and a human person.

The proclamation that gave free exercise of religion to "Christians and all others." It returned seized property to the churches.

The standard of books that were recognized by the churches as being inspired Scripture.