Tammy’s Reviews > Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought > Status Update
Tammy
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Irenaeus of Lyons was from Smyrna, settled in Rome, and was Bishop of Lyons. He was also in the second century. Because Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna when he was young, Irenaeus heard him preach, and Polycarp was disciple of John the Gospel writer. He wrote a lot of material, and he is best known for speaking against the heresy of Gnosticism. He developed the idea of salvation and tradition handed from early church.
— Oct 03, 2026 01:34PM
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Tammy
is on page 40 of 336
Augustine of Hippo is a father I need to read Confessions, City of God, and On Christian doctrine plus finish Athanasius' On the Incarnation. He is one of Christianity's most influential writers. He is a Berber from Algeria (content of character, not color). He was a bit of a bad boy and his mother Monica prayed for him. He heard children singing in Latin, "Take up and read." The nearest thing was Roman's 13:14.
— 8 hours, 3 min ago
Tammy
is on page 40 of 336
Athanasius was from Alexandria. He was outspoken and excommunicated a lot. He battled Arianism, which rejected the divinity of Christ. We can't worship Christ if he is not fully divine. It would be idolatry. He wrote "On the Incarnation" but not the long creed named for him.
— 23 hours, 32 min ago
Tammy
is on page 39 of 336
Tortellini was the late second century from Carthage. He converted in his thirties. He was no fan of philosophy and rejected blending Platonic thinking because of the sufficiency of scripture. He had a major influence on the Latin (western) church. Unlike the heretic Marcion, he saw unity in OT and emerging NT. He laid the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity.
— 23 hours, 35 min ago
Tammy
is on page 39 of 336
Origen was the early third century from Alexandria. His prolific writing meant that some things were wrong (universal restoration, including Satan). He saw Christ as having lesser divinity than the father. He took a multilayered reading of the Bible. He wrote "First Principles" (systematic theology) and ransom theory of atonement. He was tortured on the rack for not recanting his faith, and it broke his health.
— 23 hours, 50 min ago
Tammy
is on page 39 of 336
He originally followed the order of Mithras and believed that deception is perversion of the real and true and Eucharist as transmutation. His trial record is preserved. He was accused of being an atheist for rejecting Ronan gods and emperor as god. He and six friends were martyred. The eastern church is drawn to his philosophy.
— Oct 03, 2026 01:25PM
Tammy
is on page 36 of 336
There are so many church fathers to choose, and I think he focused on those who played a role in developing theology for good or otherwise. Justin Martyr was 2nd century pagan Platonist and he wore the philosopher garb, even after conversion. He believed seeds of truth were present in pagan writings. He is known for "First Apology" and outlining a clear model of worship.
— Oct 03, 2026 01:20PM
Tammy
is on page 36 of 336
From 313 to 451, theology rose to the surface to find consensus in Christian doctrine. As the church in Rome gained more power, the church in Constantinople resisted. Throughout the empire, there were more seats of influence: Alexandria, Antioch (Syria), a couple of places in North Africa. Quote from Denman, “Controversy brings clarity.” He also recommends the Didache (1st century church practices).
— Sep 27, 2026 03:08PM
Tammy
is on page 35 of 336
Diocletian stepped down in 305 and retired to Croatia (his homeland). The persecution ended in 311, just two years before Constantine became emperor. We know the story about Constantine’s conversion as well as his mother’s pilgrimage to identify holy sites in Judea. The church went from persecution to being accepted and in 321 he declared Sundays as public holidays. I wonder what the work week was like before that.
— Sep 27, 2026 01:10PM
Tammy
is on page 33 of 336
Strength in numbers cause sporadic persecution, but it wasn't until the third century that major persecution happened (Edict of Decius in June 250). All had to sacrifice to Roman gods and the emperor. Thousands of Christians were persecuted. It ended when Emperor Decius was killed. The worst was under Diocletian: they destroyed churches, burned books, and were enslaved.
— Sep 27, 2026 11:59AM