October 2, 2015 – 8:00 pm
The end of the second century/beginning of the third brought with it continued suffering of persecutions and martyrdoms. The example of Perpetua and Felicity show us not only the practice of the faith in Carthage, but also show us how the important call to martyrdom was experienced from a first hand account.
The end of the second century/beginning of the third will also bring with it the rise of the catacombs – places where Christians can celebrate the example of the martyrs and where Christian art will have its beginning.
Links:
Image – Perpetua and Felicy by Lawrence OP
The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Interesting article by William Tabbernee on the Church of Carthage at the time of the martyrdoms of Perpetua and Felicity
Travel through the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla via Google Maps
Christian symbols and art in the catacombs
Image of Orpheus, Endymion sleeping under a Tree, Jonah being spat out of the whale and Daniel in the lions’ den in Catacombs
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#305 – A History of the Catholic Church – A Christian Space
September 25, 2015 – 8:00 pm
Having looked at several different heresies and the responses of the Church authorities to that – emphasis on the monepiscopacy, apostolic tradition and the development of the New Testament Canon. In this episode, we reflect on the growth and continuing importance of the authority of the bishop of Rome. We also look at the struggle about inculturalization – how much should the Church adapt to the Hellenistic culture?
We will also look at the Church of the East and see how it dealt with many of these same issues.
Links:
Image – Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter by Pietro Perugino
Eusebius on the Quartodeciman Controversy
A Map of Parthia showing Media and Bactra where Christianity had spread by this time can be found here.
Another map showing the spread of Christianity by 200 AD.
The Diatesseron of Tatian
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#304 – A History of the Catholic Church – Having Preeminent Authority
September 18, 2015 – 8:00 pm
Concluding our series on early Christian heresies with Marcionism, a movement that became so popular that some estimates are that half of the Christians in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire will be supporters of Marcion of Sinope and his views on Old Testament.
Indeed, Marcion’s condemnation of the Old Testament and the strength of Marcion will be one of the key reasons for the Christian Church to begin the process of defining the faith in what will become the New Testament.
Links:
Image – John and Marcion of Sinope
Pro and Anti-Marcionite Writings
Marcionite Bibliography
Marcionite Research Library
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#303 – A History of the Catholic Church – A Most Dangerous Foe
September 11, 2015 – 8:00 pm
Continuing an examination of the diverse beliefs present among the Christian Church in the second century, this episode takes a look at the Gnostics – in particular the Valentinians.
Valentinius, a teacher of great influence who nearly became the Bishop of Rome, founded a system of belief that spanned the Roman Empire founded on the principle that the world in which we live is a false reality and only the teachings of Jesus can help us to see the truth.
The Valentinian Spiritual Hierarchy
Links:
Valentinus and the Valentinian Tradition – extensive set of links dedicated to Valentinian Gnosticism
Saint Irenaeus on Valentinianism
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#302 A History of the Catholic Church – Escape the Matrix
September 4, 2015 – 8:00 pm
As the Christian Church grew both in numbers and in its geographical scope, so did differences among believers also increase. Some of these differences will be minor, others will be significant enough that they will cause splits among the faithful.
The Montantists, or the New Prophecy, emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the faithful but their strict morality, their charismatic practices, and the role of women in their movement will cause conflict with magisterial leadership and end in accusations of heresy against them.
Links:
Image of Pentecost from the Rabula Gospels
Presentations of Montanism
Surviving words of the Montanist leaders
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#301 A History of the Catholic Church – The New Prophecy
August 28, 2015 – 8:00 pm
Using the account of the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, we look at how the theology of Christian martyrdom develops. What were the reasons why some Christians sought martyrdom? What type of opposition to martyrdom existed?
Links:
Image of martyrdom of Polycarp
Martyrdom of Polycarp
Movie about Polycarp
First apology of Saint Justin Martyr
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#300 – A History of the Catholic Church – Conformity to Christ
August 21, 2015 – 8:00 pm
As the Christians spread throughout the Roman Empire, so did opposition against them increase as well – hostility from neighbors and persecution from State. In this episode, we look at the reasons why Tacitus called Christianity “a most mischievous superstition” and the ways that anti-Christian hostility manifested itself.
Links:
Image of Emperor Marcus Aurelius offering a sacrifice
Tacitus and Pliny on the Christians
Earlier episode on the Alexamenos graffito
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#299 – A History of the Catholic Church – A Most Mischievous Superstition
August 14, 2015 – 8:00 pm
The spread of the teachings of Jesus brings with it also increasing differences about who are the true followers of His Word. Those followers of Jesus who have come to be called Christians and members of the Catholic Church, begin to set standards for who belongs to the faith – and who is outside it.
Links:
Image: La consécration de Déodat by Claude Bassot
Wikipedia article on Docetism
Chart of Apostolic Succession in the Early Church
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#298 – A History of the Catholic Church – Apostolic Succession
As the Church approaches the end of the First Century, Christians in Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome continue to develop their faith both in light of the growing Gentile membership as well as in response to the continuing reality of sin.
Links:
Image of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Map of Christian communities at the end of the First Century
Map of Osroene/Edessa
Sources for Roman Church:
First Letter of Clement
The Shepherd of Hermas
Sources for Alexandrine Church:
The Epistle of Barnabas
Sources for Antiochine Church:
Epistles of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle of Polycarp
Martyrdom of Polycarp
Sources for Church outside Roman Empire
Odes of Solomon
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#297 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Two Ways
Debates over the the acceptance of Gentiles into the Church and Paul’s missionary activity lead to the Council of Jerusalem. While it becomes easier for Gentiles to become Christians, it is part of a growing division in the Church. Jewish wars against the Romans will further alienate Christians from the Church’s Jewish traditions.
Links:
Image of stones from the destroyed Temple of Jerusalem
On the Council of Jerusalem
On the First Jewish-Roman War
On the Bar Kochba Uprising
On the Birkat Ha-Minim against Christians
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#296 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Council of Jerusalem
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