An Aspiring Christianity and a Respiring Roman Empire

Christianity and the Roman Empire How did Christianity become dominant A. Conversions and Believers Martyrs, Message, and Accomodating Philosophies B. Seeking Relief from Invaders State of the Empire by the turn of the 5 th Century Patronage of Emperors —Constantine and Theodosius Orthodoxy and Heresy A. “You say begotten … and I say created” The Arianism Controversy B. “the sin that dwells in me”: Revelations of Augustine C. Imitating Christ and the ascetic life

Spread of Christianity by 4th century <10,000 by A.D ,000 by A.D. 200 Still only.3% of total pop in Roman Empire of 60 million

How did Christianity become dominant in the Roman Empire? Context of the Emperors and their Empire Christianity’s appeal to Gentiles—compassion, classlessness, appeal to women, and personal salvation “There is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28) Appeal to Women: “There is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)

Diocletian’s reform of the Empire Diocletian ( ) and the Tetrarchy 2 Augusti Diocletian Maximian 2 Caesars Constantius Galerius Civil war reigns by 305

Constantine triumphant in 312, his personal conversion

Ascendant Christianity Constantine (303–337) 313: Edict of Milan—toleration of Christianity (not made state religion), return of church property 321: Sunday as Lord’s Day Building of Churches (St. Peters’, first St. Sophia) Theodosius (379 – 395) 391 Christianity becomes state religion, all others forbidden 391 Pagan Worship Banned

Basilica of Constantine ca. 307 Influence of Public baths

Old St. Peters’ begun as early as 319 From a 1619 sketch copying earlier drawings Built directly over grave of Peter

Spread of Christianity

Orthodoxy and Heresy A. “You say begotten … and I say created” The Arianism Controversy B. “the sin that dwells in me”: Revelations of Augustine ( ) C. Imitating Christ and the Ascetic Route D. The validity of the Sacraments Donatism and the Sacred Books

The Problems of Organizing the Church Orthodoxy and Heresy What is the controversy? Arius, Libyan priest ( ) “There was a time when He was not” “the Son had a beginning, but God is without beginning” For Arius, only God the Father was eternal

Arian Beliefs “ There was a time when He was not” “The Son had a beginning, but God is without beginning” For Arius, only God the Father was eternal Why is this a problem? Christological controversies Problem of Christ’s divinity and humanity Issue of polytheism

What was Heard on the street: “…when you ask for your change from a shopkeeper, he harangues you about the begotten and the unbegotten. If you inquire how much bread costs, the reply is that ‘the Father is superior and the Son inferior.”

Constantine calls the Council of Nicaea in 325 Establishes role of the Church to decide orthodoxy Supremacy of bishops (episcopacy) What is the solution?

Creed of Nicaea (325)

Establishing Orthodoxy Augustine ( ) Church Fathers: patristic writers After the sack of Rome City of God ( ) Proper role of Secular Authority The first tell-all book: Augustine’sConfessions

What are the solutions for Augustine? After the Vandals sack Rome in 410, he writes City of God Try to attain spiritual purity Secular law required because humans imperfect. Be obedient to authority Divine purpose only known to God

Augustine’s Craftsman “To be truthful, I myself fail to understand why God created mice and frogs, flies and worms. Nevertheless I recognize that each of these creatures is beautiful in its own way. For when I contemplate the body and limbs of any living creature, where do I not find proportion, number, and order exhibiting the unity of concord? Where one discovers proportion, number and order, one should look for the craftsman.”

Ascetics and the Monastic Life Monk: Greek for “single, solitary” Asceticism not new but Christians make it popular Life of denial imitating Christ’s sufferings Imitatio Christi A new ‘martyrdom’ Develops into living communities Two types: hermits and communal St. Antony as model for ascetics

Life of St. Antony Who is St. Antony? Biography written by Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. One of the first saint’s lives. Why does he become a monk? What words inspire him to become a monk? What does he then do?

Life of St. Antony

St. Antony-

St. Antony

“ The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed to us.” (Rom 8:18) The Reward

Spread of Christianity