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The Post-Nicene Era325-590 AD1Roman Empire Embraces ChristianityArianism and OrthodoxyConstantineNew CapitalMediatorEvangelistSacral StateConstantines SonsJulian The Apostate (360-363)Theodosius I, The Great (378-395)

2Theodosius I, The Great (378-395)First genuinely orthodox emperor, established Christianity as state religionPresses Roman Senate to affirm ChristOutlaws: attendance at pagan temples, pagan sacrifices, idol worship, etcEncourages destruction of pagan temples gives property to churchesLarge numbers of pagans convert to Christianity3

Division of the Roman Empire4Overview of Developmentsin Post-Nicean EraMake Up of Church Radically AlteredBy end of Theodosius reign, Christianity and the Roman state are inseparableConstantines reign 10-20% of population ChristianOne century later as much as 90% identify as ChristianChurch inundated with rapid flood of mass convertsChurches unable, unprepared, unwilling to exercise disciplineThree Responses to Spiritual DegenerationSeparationUniversalismSecularization

5Overview of Developments (cont)Canonization SolidifiesFormal Christian Education DevelopsCatechetical classesCathedral Schools (or Episcopal Schools)Ritualism Increases festivals, holy days and places, fetishism, relics, vestmentsHoly Living DeclinesChristian Architecture and Art Develop artisans supported by state, icons developed in Eastern church, church buildingsClerical Celibacy in WestCreeds and Councils Formalize Belief

6Church Evangelizes BarbariansGregory the Illuminator ArmeniaFrumentius (ca. 300-380) Ethiopia (Coptic Christianity)British IslesUlfilas (ca. 335- ca. 400) Goths and VisigothsMartin of Tours (ca. 335 ca. 400) to south GaulGregory of Tours Franks of GaulPatrick (ca. 389-461) Ireland7When Giants Walked the Land

JeromeAugustine

HippoRome MilanAmbrose

John Chrysostom

Basil of CaesareaGregory of Nyssa

Athanasius AlexandriaGregory of Nazianzus

Martin of Tours

8Post-Nicene Greek FathersEusebius (ca. 260-ca. 339)Athanasius (296-373)Cappadocian FathersSuccessors of Athanasius Basil of Caesarea (Basil the Great; 330-379)Gregory of Nyssa (ca. 335-395)Gregory of Nazianzus (ca. 329-390)John of Antioch (Chrysostom) (347-407)

9AthanasiusMartin Luther of the 4th CInfluenceChampion of the deity and humanity of Christ and deity of Holy Spirit against ArianismApologeticsLife of St AnthonyPastoral MinistryService over PoliticsTheological OrientationSelf-Discipline and AusterityPerseverance and Courage

10John Chrysostom

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Chrysostom347-407 AD12John of Antioch (Chrysostom)Upbringing and EducationAntiochConstantinopleQuintessential PreacherDefender of Nicene OrthodoxyProphet of Morality in Word and DeedMartyrdom13When Giants Walked the Land

JeromeAugustine

HippoRome MilanAmbrose

John Chrysostom

Basil of Caesarea

Gregory of Nyssa

Athanasius AlexandriaGregory of Nazianzus

Martin of Tours14Post-Nicene Latin FathersAmbrose (ca. 339-397)Jerome (347-420)Augustine (354-430)

15AmbroseHighly educated and giftedEntrance into MinistryStrong Defender of Nicene OrthodoxyGifted Leader and Administrator of Church AffairsChurch over StateHymnodyMinistry to Augustine16Jerome

17JeromeEducation in ItalyHermit in SyriaEstablishes Monastery in BethlehemProlific Linguist and AuthorMasters Greek and HebrewBiographerExegetical CommentatorInfluences every theological battle of his day including ArianismTranslates Latin VulgateTheological Weaknesses18Augustine

19AugustineHighly Influential in Church and Western HistoryUpbringingDevotee to ManichaeismSojourn in Milan and Conversion to ChristianityBishop of Hippo Regius (North Africa)Labored Against Manichees, Donatists, Pagans, PelagiusProlific Author on Christian DoctrineTheological Legacy20Key Developments in Later Post-Nicene EraCouncil of Ephesus (431)Council of Chalcedon (451)Against Arius, Jesus was fully divine: truly God perfect in Godhead begotten of the Father before the agesAgainst Apollinarius, Jesus was fully human: truly man perfect in manhood and born of the Virgin MaryAgainst Nestorius, Jesus was one person, not two. The deity and humanity are: not parted or divided into two persons but Christ is one person and one beingAgainst Eutyches, Jesus humanity was not blurred with his deity, but both natures of Christ remained distinct21Council of ChalcedonConcerning Jesus deity and humanity: The difference of the natures is in no wise taken away by reason of the union, but rather the properties of each are preserved [Christ is] made known in two natures without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.22Key Developments in Later Post-Nicene EraCouncil of Ephesus (431)Council of Chalcedon (451)Fall of Roman Empire (476)Irremediable Societal DecayConvulsive Internal Political UpheavalMilitary Meltdown

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