History 322, The Middle Ages Rome Becomes Christian

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

Christianity’s appeal to gentiles—compassion and personal salvation Classlessness & 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) How did Christianity become dominant in the Roman Empire?

Diocletian’s reform of the Empire Diocletian ( ) and the Tetrarchy Two reasons: 1.Defense 2.Succession 2 Augusti Diocletian Maximian 2 Caesars Constantius Galerius Civil war reigns by 305

Major Christian Controversies Arian beliefs (early 4 th century) Arius: A Libyan priest in Alexandria For Arius, only God the Father was eternal: “ There was a time when He was not” “the Son had a beginning, but God is without beginning” Why is this a problem? Christological Controversies Problem of Christ’s divinity and humanity Problems of Polytheism

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

More Controversies Donatism (3 rd & 4 th centuries) – North African controversy about the nature of the sacraments – Is the character of priests vital to the transmission of grace? – Deeply divided the Christian community

Establishing Orthodoxy Jerome ( ) Supporter of monasticism Translated Bible into Latin (Vulgate) Augustine ( ) Church Fathers After the sack of Rome wrote City of God ( ): proper role of the state The first tell-all book: Augustine’s Confessions