Recap Lecture 3 | Class Notes | Great World Religions | Christianity

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Second Century and Self-Definition: Class Notes

Jesus of Nazareth: Founder or Not?

• Jesus is both the founder of Christianity and not, depending on perspective.

• By the 2nd century CE, Christianity was an identifiable movement across the Roman Empire.

• Key features of early Christianity:

  • Dominance of Gentile Christianity over Jewish Christianity.

  • Strong influence of Greco-Roman culture—Christian churches resembled Greco-Roman schools more than Jewish synagogues.

  • After the Jewish War (67–70 CE), Jewish Christians became less visible.

Christianity and Judaism

• Debate over Christianity's connection to Judaism arose as communities began collecting and exchanging writings.

• Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho (c. 135 CE):

  • A key document marking one of the last face-to-face interactions between Christians and Jews for a long time.

Early 2nd-Century Christianity

• Characteristics of the movement:

  • Diverse and divided, with a focus on moral teachings and unity over doctrine or theology.

  • Bishops like Ignatius and Polycarp emerged as leaders, while prophecy (e.g., Hermas) was still valued.

  • Concern for moral behavior (e.g., 1 Clement).

  • Persecution:

    • Martyrdom (Ignatius, Polycarp).

    • Apologetic literature (e.g., Letter to Diognetus, Justin Martyr).

Mid-to-Late 2nd Century: Diversity and Challenges

• Rise of Dualism and Asceticism:

  • A widespread phenomenon in both Christian and non-Christian contexts.

  • Not always considered heretical—e.g., popular writings like the Infancy Gospel of James and Acts of Paul.

• Gnosticism:

  • A blanket term for ascetical and dualistic tendencies within Christianity.

  • Presented a significant challenge to traditional Christian teachings.

Key Figures and Movements

1. Tatian (Assyrian apologist):

   • Advocated extreme asceticism and rejected the world.

   • Proposed the Diatesseron (a single Gospel text) to replace the four canonical Gospels.

2. Marcion of Sinope:

   • Radical dualist who rejected the Old Testament entirely.

   • Accepted only 10 Pauline letters and a shortened version of Luke’s Gospel (Antitheses).

3. Gnostic Teachings:

   • Derived from both ancient opponents' writings and the Nag Hammadi library (discovered in 1947).

   • Expanded "authority" through new revelations and inspired literature.

   • Promoted individualistic ideologies opposed to the traditional order of creation.

Orthodox Responses

• Leaders like Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria:

  • Produced “anti-heretical” literature to defend orthodoxy.

  • Irenaeus' Against Heresies: A balanced response to Gnosticism.

Orthodox strategies for self-definition:

1. Canon of Scripture:

   • Affirmed the Old Testament and the 27 writings of the New Testament.

2. Rule of Faith:

   • Defined traditional beliefs to counter diverse myths.

3. Apostolic Succession:

   • Bishops as visible, public leaders maintaining tradition.

   • Councils used to study Scripture and elaborate the creed.

Transition to the 3rd Century

• By the 3rd century, Christianity had prepared itself for broader political and cultural influence:

  • The church was institutional, public, and ritualistic.

  • Orthodox bishops became visible leaders in the Roman Empire.

  • Alternative Christian forms (e.g., Gnostic groups) moved outside imperial boundaries.

Constantine and the Edict of Milan (313 CE)

• Constantine:

  • First Christian emperor.

  • His conversion and the Edict of Milan ended persecution and reversed Christianity’s political and cultural fortunes.