Tammy’s Reviews > Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought > Status Update

Tertullian endorsed the tradition handed down from apostles on interpreting Scripture and that it was clear. It is a theology from above. The Gnostics were relying on from below. Modern examples are scientology, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses. There is no secret source of knowledge for us to find. The ecumenical creeds were a way of clarifying what we believe. A creed is universal.

The order in which books are arranged is another question. The gospels are first, followed by Acts, but the eastern church wanted Paul's letters after the others. Both agree on Revelation last. Those written by named Apostles and those with clear authority accepted by consensus seem to be the primary factor. There was a battle between the outward tradition handed down by patristics versus Gnostic hidden knowledge.

Canon means a fixed reference point. The OT was already fixed as the Scrpture read in Jesus's day. From early on 4 Gospels, Acts (Luke Part 2), Paul's letters, and Revelations were accepted. Coming from the apostles made it authoritative. Athanasius came up with 27 books, but the West hesitated with Hebrews and the East with Revelation. The Didache was thought to be helpful but not authoritative.

On Christianity and the classical culture, writers pulled rhetoric and grammar (literature and poetry) in crafting Christian literature. Pre-Constantine, the culture was oppressive. Constantine made Rome the servant of the Gospel and allowed Christians pulled in what seems right and serves the faith. It is like the Israelite using Egyptian treasure to build the Tabernacle to worship God.

His synthesized Christian thought to promote the doctrines of Trinity, church and grace, refute Gnosticism and Pelagianism, and present Christianity systematically. He promoted keeping the good from culture and rejecting the useless or burdensome. Several of his books are widely read today.

Augustin picked up Romans 13:14, which says to clothe yourself with Christ (like yesterday's Gospel where the uninvited guest was not properly robed). He was already fed up with paganism, and this was the sign from God that pushed him into certainty. He returned from Milan to Africa for health reasons. He was made bishop of Hippp. His writings made him like a second founder of the Christian faith.

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.

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.

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.

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.