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
Tatian (Assyrian apologist):
Advocated extreme asceticism and rejected the world.
Proposed the Diatesseron (a single Gospel text) to replace the four canonical Gospels.
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).
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:
Canon of Scripture:
Affirmed the Old Testament and the 27 writings of the New Testament.
Rule of Faith:
Defined traditional beliefs to counter diverse myths.
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.
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