The History of the Christian Church (Sunday School Series): The Era of the Later Fathers

 

III. The Age of the Later Fathers

(i.e., the Nicene & Post-Nicene Church; c. AD 325-c. AD 590)

 

WHEN: This period is dated from the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great unto the time of Pope Gregory the Great.

 

WHAT (Major events, themes, and characteristics):

 

A new relationship between Church & State.

 

Christianity granted toleration by the Imperial Edict of Nantes, AD 313. Given favored status by Constantine the Great (AD 306-337), but made the official State Religion by Emperor Theodosius the Great (AD 379-395).

 

Schaff: “...the gain in outward appearance and splendor was balanced by many a loss in simplicity and spirituality.”

 

Positive Gains: The development of a rich, higher, and more humane Christian civilization (e.g., the realms of thought, art, culture, law, etc.), as well as a disciplined and efficient structure for the education of the masses.

 

Positive social results: the end of gladiatorial combats, the development of the Justinian legal code, social reform (improvement in the lives of slaves, women, public morals, etc.)

 

Negative Losses: A general spiritual decline, with the entrance of unregenerates (and their moral standards, values & customs)—along with the martial and haughty spirit of Imperial Rome—into the life of the Church.

 

The rise of an Ecclesiastical Hierarchy and formalized worship.

The rise of powerful Patriarchs and ecclesiastical centers (Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria); the continued development of a distinct “priesthood” and the centrality of the Mass in an increasingly formalized worship; the further development of the cult of the Virgin & the Saints...

 

The stage was set for the errors of Rome & the Dark Ages...

 

Who was Jesus? What is the nature of God?

 

Trinitarian & Christological Controversies: An era of intense debate with regard to the doctrine of the Trinity and the nature of Christ, with the rise of numerous heresies.

 

The Rise of Arianism—a movement which taught that Christ was a separate and lesser deity, created by the Father.

Controversy relating to the doctrines of Man, Sin, and Salvation.

The Pelagian Controversy, involving disputes over the meaning of Original Sin and Free Will vs. Predestination.

 

The Rise of Monasticism.

Morally rigid and highly respected Monastic orders arose in response to the influx of worldliness into the Church; led in scholarship, etc. The cultivation of celibacy, asceticism, and the disparaging of the values of common social and family life.

The Seven Ecumenical Councils: the great Councils of the Undivided Church: e.g., Nicaea (AD 325), Chalcedon (AD 451).

 

 

Theological Sophistication: An era of great theological treatises and Creedal Formulation.

 

The Christianization of the Barbarians: Goths, Vandals, and other peoples came to overrun the Western Empire and inherit its institutions. Many came under the nominal influence of the Church, as did more remote Celtic peoples.

 

The Rise of Amillenialism: The Thousand Year Millennium of Rev. 20 became interpreted spiritually, as opposed to literally.   

WHERE (the center of activity):

The breadth of the Greco-Roman world.

WHO (Major Personalities):

 

Theologians and Scholars (Jerome, Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine), prominent ecclesiastical authorities (Leo I), various Emperors (Constantine, etc.).

 

Opponents of Orthodoxy: The Heretics Arius & Pelagius; various Emperors (pagan Emperor Julian the Apostate and the various Arian Emperors).