Session # 1 - Globalization - Understand the present through the past

Globalization or the understanding of the present by

- Trades, ideas, political systems, whatever has been passed down to us from
transportation the past
- Started with business - trading
- Interconnected - Everything comes from history
- the process of interaction and History as a discipline
integration among people, a. Subject matter - all aspects of
companies, and governments human life in the past
worldwide b. Methodology - gathering information
in the present about the past
Backbone of the course: c. Presentation of findings - by means
of a narrative, a story, a history
(1) Western Civilization / European
Civilization Primary and Secondary Sources
- Played a pivotal role in creating a a. Direct Witnesses or in touch with
unified or global community themes
- Primary sources
(2) Christianity - Selected readings ( to
- Major influence in the western get into the mind of
civilization and still has much to offer the protagonist)
to the construction of a world that is
more humane, peaceful,fair, b. Secondary sources - people who
equitable, and spiritual use primary sources
- Videos, powerpoint
(3) Philippine History
- The course will also interface with Why is it partly scientific?
the history of the Philippine and pay - Coming from facts and evidences -
special attention to the current because we need to prove that we
situation of the country have evidences
- Middle ages - university life began - Historians need to document their
sources to prove that their claims
History and make it available to those who
- Greek : Historein - to be curious to want to verify things
inquire - To realize where historians get their
- German: information
- Historie - the passage of
time, the experience of History and Christianity
temporal change - Historical religion
- Geschichte - the discipline of - Based on the revelation and the
history as a branch of incarnation of the son of God
knowledge - History is divided into BC ( before
christ) and AD ( anno domini or after
christ)
St. Augustine's View of History - Visual Arts: Architecture, Sculpture,
- Deeper meaning of history Painting
- Sacred and secular - Architecture - building
geometrically designed
Influence in Western Culture: temples nd public buildings
- Gave a dynamic sense to history - The Parthenon and
( not cynical) history is geared Erechtheion
towards an end ( the Judgment) - Created
- The individual effect the change classic art
- Make christian aware of their - Replicated by
mission romans and
charlemagne,
Relevance of studying Christianity to and
understand the contemporary worlds renaissance
- Indispensable basis - Paintings were mostly on
- To learn Development of doctrine pots
- Good models to imitate
- Literature: Epic, Drama, history
- Iliad and Odyssey by Homer
Session # 2 - Greek Contri - Euripides
- Sophocles
Greek Contributions to Western - Aesop
Civilization
- Abstract thinking : Philosophy - Religion and religious Debate
- Main contribution is - Greek mythology
Philosophy - achieved the
greatest effect - Sports: Olympic Games
- Only the greeks reflected on
our rational nature and Philosophy
exploited all its - Greatest contribution by the greeks
consequences - Philo-sophia : Love of Wisdom
- Science: Mathematics, Physics, - Wisdom can be loosely
Biology understood as
- Greeks wrote treatises in “learning/knowing through
mathematics and in various reason”
natural sciences ( astronomy, - Asking questions about everything in
biology, or medicine) the universe
- Politics: City-State and Democracy - Starting by asking about
- Creating own public laws and ourselves -these questions
establishing their own kind of link with others about nature
representative political and the world in which we
system live
Branches of Philosophy: - He is not greek -
Macedonian
(1) Metaphysics - Works: Logic, natural
- Study of being as a being science, philosophy,
- Being - the most intimate/ metaphysics, ethics,
interior to all things that exist and politics

(2) Epistemology - Philosophers that came before

- Study of knowledge - how do Socrates are called - Pre-Socratic
we know - Thales of Miletus -
(3) Logic considered to be the first
- Study of correct reasoning philosopher
- More concerned with the
(4) Ethics nature of the universe
- Studying a man’s action in - Pythagoras, Heraclitus,
relation to what is morally Parmenides, Anaximenes,
good and bad Heraclitus, Parmenides.

(5) Esthetics Legacy of Greek Philosophy

- Deals with the nature of - Philosophy provided vocabulary and
beauty, art, and taste and a foundation to discuss everything
with the creation and from a rational viewpoint
appreciation of beauty - The Hymn to Zeus
- A great example of how
(6) Philosophical Anthropology philosophy transformed the
- Study of human nature from understanding of God and
a philosophical viewpoint man

Greek Philosophers Cleanthes Hymn to Zeus

- Most renowned - Socrates, Plato, - The author describes the attributes
and Aristotle of God as the God of philosophers
- Socrates - father of western - God as law-giver ( of a
philosophy - by means of universal or natural law)
inquiry - The author also depicts the features
- Plato - a wise society run by of a man
Philosophers - Made in God’s image
- Wrote dialogues of
Socrates How is it similar to our present
- Aristotle - made pioneering understanding of God and man?
contributions to philosophy - The hymn shows a deeper
and science understanding of the natures of God
- Disciple of plato and and man
socrates - He discusses the features of both
man and God in a way that is
 familiar in Christianity despite it christian philosopher during middle
being written 200 years before JC ages
- Christianity adopted many concepts - The 19th century wa productive in
and ideas from Greek philosophy to philosophical ideas
better understand its own faith. - All ideas have philosophical
foundation
Greek Philosophy’s Contribution to
Christianity
- Explain how Jesus Christ could be Session # 3 - Roman Civ.
God and man ( one person with two
natures) Ancient Roman Civilization
- To understand man
- Body and soul The Romans
- Faculties of the soul - Founded by Romulus in 753 BC in
(intelligence and will) Lazio
- The eucharistic contains the - Romulus and Remus - the
physical presence of jesus legend of she-wolf
christ but it retains the - 509 BC birth of the Roman Republic
accidents of bread and wine - 2 Consuls : senate and assemblies
- Senate - made decisions for
Hellenism the public
- Greek culture by Alexander the great - Assemblies - composed of
and his successors in all the area he different people from different
conquered social class
- Lingua franca - unified very different - Society divided into classes
people and made those familiar with - Patricians - governing class,
greek legacy who enjoyed wealth of the
empire
Important Legacies of Greek Civilization for - Plebeians - poor men who
Christianity: comprised the workforce
a. Lingua Franca - help spread - Chattel - class fo slaves
christianity - Roman Expansion - based on
b. Philosophy helped explain Christian military expansion
theology
c. Stoicism - preparation for christian
principles and values
- Honor for natural law
- Control of passions
d. Fine Arts would later be inspiration
for Christian Art

Later Influence of Greek Philosophy

- Tradition of deep thinking continued
in Christianity and by the great
Trend towards dictatorial power due to Kinds of Roman Law
large territory - Lus civile - for citizens
- Lus gentium - for foreigners
Triumvirate - Lus naturale - for everyone
(1) Julius Caesar (100- 44 BC)
- First triumvirate Application of the Law
- Rights of the individual - individuals
(2) Octavian Vs. Marc Antony are subject of the law
- Second triumvirate - Political rights
- Octavian becomes emperor - Criminal laws - associated to the
in 27 BC rights of the individual
- An emperor without - Property rights or laws
title - Commercial laws - contracts
a. Tribune (of commoners) - Collection of laws - codes
b. Princeps (first citizens)
c. Pontifex Maximus ( high Public Administration
priest of the pagan religion, - Following a vertical structure
semi divine in life and fully
divine after death Public Works
- Had an extensive road network
Greatest Legacy: Rowan Law connecting the whole empire
- Law and order were their biggest - There are still many of them in the
export countryside of Europe
- They were made of solid and large
Pax Romana stone blocks, appropriate for heavy
- 200 year Roman Peace loads
- Centralization of bureaucratic - Military- be ready to send
civilization armies wherever needed
- Development of roads, organization, - More effective government -
laws and administration send instructions anywhere
in the empire
On the Laws of Cicero - Trading
- Cicero is doing philosophy of law - Aqueducts for carrying water
- His definition of wisdom from sources to the city
- Origin of wisdom - Bridges
- Definition of law and its origin - Fortresses city walls
- God places in man - Forum
upon creation and - Public Bath
that is universal and
based on reason
- Its connection to our
immortal souls
- Its connection to virtue
- Universal application of law
Roman Cultural Traits - Women discriminated. Concubinage
- Family - school of moral values, pro- was not uncommon during empire
children legislation
- Virtue - from hellenistic tradition, Slavery
exalted patriotism and sacrifice for - Most slaves were prisoners of war (2
the nation million at the start of the empire; ¼
- As features in its literature people); others from debts
- Golden age - Main workforce: field, infrastructure,
- Virgil and as household
- Horace and livy - Educated ones (greek) : worked as
- Silver age tutors ( pedagogue), teachers or
- Tacitus criticizes the loss of advisers
values of the emperors - Treated as chattel ( power
over life and death),
Religion in the Roman World depending on their master;
- Adopted greek religion and was could obtain freedom
tolerant with other religions - Spartacus (thracian) revolt (73-71
- Cult of ancestors at home BC), ended by Marcus Licinius
- Official religion considered a means Crassus and punished cruelly as a
for national unity and submission to warning (6,000 crucified in Appian
the emperor Way)
- Pietas: early cult to placate the gods - Christianity accepted slavery as a
to obtain protection: festivals and social condtition, although it
sacrifices encouraged charitable treatment of
- Augustus and Tiberius declined the slaves
title of divinity, but became the norm - Slaves attracted by Christianity
after Caligula and Nero: Emperors
became semi-divine in life and Stoicism
accessed the pantheon after death - Founder of Stoicism: Zeno of Citium
- Cult to the emperor everywhere as a (335-263 BC)
sign of allegiance - Believed and tried to practice natural
- Popularity of Stoicism among the law ( virtues)
educated - Primacy of reasons over passions
- Controlling passions as a
Social Structure way of freedom
- Wealthy and landed governing class - Suppress external and
- from the early patrician class internal signs of passions like
- Freemen : mainly became when experiencing pain,
impoverished in countryside and sadness or joy
migrated to the cities (creating a - Its opposite: Epicureanism
class of indolent people, contented - happiness through
with bread and circus during the reasonable pleasure and
later empire) absence of pain or sorrow
Legacy of the Roman Civilization How did the church choose the inspired
- Most importantly, nations and writings?
citizens must follow the “rule of law” : 1. Understand the stages of the writing
citizens have rights and duties. If of the New testament
there is no law, there is no justice. 2. Study the historical evidences of the
Justice is a consequence of our church of the first centuries
humanity, of our rationality, our describing the beliefs and the
spiritual nature. process of choosing them
- Governments must be well 3. A third interesting evidence about its
organized and be fair historical credibility is the many
- Great nations have great public physical copies of early copies and
works translations of the new testament
- Easier to compare with one
How did the Roman Civilization help in another
the development of Christianity?
- Its transportation network and the Two testimonies of two authors:
pax romana
- Administrative organization St. Luke - not an apostle
- Roman law was adopted and used
as a model for the church’s law
- Latin became the official language
- Stoicism and the valuing of virtue
would prepare many Romans to
accept Christianity.

Session # 4 - Historicity of NT
- Compile narratives
Historicity of the New Testament - Delivered by eyewitnesses and
ministers of the world ( the apostles)
Who chose the New Testament - Write an orderly account so that you
- The church believes that the new may know the truth
testament (and the old) is the word - His research took time and
of God, written by human authors effort - followed things
under the inspiration of the Holy closely
Spirit - He set his goal to write a
- It was the Church ( bishop) the one narrative of what had
who declared which books or happened
writings were inspired and therefore
fully believable
- The New Testament was written in
the church, for the church, and was
selected by the Church

St. John
 The official process of selection among
the early writings about Jesus Christ and
the Church
- Aside from the books of the NT,
there were other books written about
Jesus Christ and the early church
- Christians had to rely on their
pastors - bishops were successors
of the apostles and the ministries
and priest ordained by the bishops
- He was an eye witness - he was an
- Some of those books were found to
apostle
have errors and were rejected at one
- He made a selection of what he
time or another by early the bishops.
remembered from the life of jesus
These books are known as
and teachings
apocryphal gospels or letters
- He wrote those things for
people to believe in Jesus
Christ
Important early testimonies from
bishops regarding those books
Three Stages of writing of the NT
considered inspired…
1. Jesus preaching to the apostles and
- First Century - (4 books without
disciples
name - St. Clement of Rome ( 92-
2. Oral Tradition: apostles and
101 AD), St. Ignatius of Antioch
disciples recalling and sharing it with
( +107AD)
the possible new converts
- Early second century: Bishop Papias
3. Write memoirs to preserve them for
of Hierapolis ( Pamukkale, Turkey)
the future
(130AD) mentions Matthew and
Mark ( known from Eusebius in the
When were the books of the NT written?
4th C)
- Between 50 and 100 AD
- 178-188 AD: St. Irenaeus confirms
- First: Epistle to the Thessalonians or
canonicity of the 4 gospels in
either the Gospel of St. Matthew or
Against Heresies
of St. Mark
- Muratorian Canon include names
- Synoptics: Matthew, Mark, and
and information of some books of
Luke, which follow a similar outline):
the new testament
70 Ad
- Early 200s AD: Clement of
- St. Luke: Before St. Paul's
Alexandria and Tertullian ( give the
Imprisonment ( 61-63 Acts)
names of the 4 authors of the
- St. John: in Ephesus, around 100
Gospel)
AD
- Except for St. Matthew’s Gospel

- Written Aramaic
- All other books were written
in Greek
Point to notice from previous slide: -> Synods and councils were gatherings of
bishops and priest of certain regions ( an
-> Testimonies come from early times and ecumenical council was a gathering of many
therefore very valuable bishops representing the whole church)
- the earliest are less than 70 years
after Christ died, and after less than -> Synods of Rome included the pope and
50 years since most of the apostles several bishops, and therefore it is
died, and a few years since most of important. The ones in Carthage and Hippo
the apostles died, and a few years gathered bishops of North Africa ( also
since St. John died important)

-> Except for the Muratonian Canon all the -> These councils and synods counted on
testimonies come from early prestigious the known opinion of great saints and
bishops and scholars scholars (especially St. Jerome, a translator
- Muratonian Canon - an early of the OT and NT to latin)
document with a list of recognized
books by the early church
discovered in the 1700s Are there trace of the authors in the book
of the NT
Final Stage of Selection: Fixing the - Some of the letters of the NT
Canon of the Scripture in Official Church indicate the author
meetings - Not necessarily the writer, as
- From Kanon : reed or measuring rod they may have dictated them
- The Canon refers to the to another writer, especially
books of the bible that the someone who knew greek
church officially declares to better
be divinely inspired - The authorship of the synoptic
- The decision took gospels shows by the approach
some time, requiring taken by the author to reach certain
the convening synods audience:
and councils - Matthew wrote for jews,
- 382 AD, Synods of Rome ( 46 books - Mark wrote for the Christians
in OT, 27 in NT) in Rome, and
- After some controversy regarding - St. Luke wrote for non-Jews
the deuterocanonical books, they convert who did not know
were approved again in three Judaism.
councils (not ecumenical) of Hippo - St. John depicts
( 393 AD) and Carthage ( 397 and himself as “ the
419 AD) disciple Jesus loved”
- Ratified in ecumenical councils :
Nacae II ( 787 AD), Florence ( 1335
AD) and Trent (1545 AD)
Understanding Tradition - They have been regarded as
- Sacred Tradition in the Roman inspired for many Christians
catholic Church is the sum of all the for many years
actions of the Church to preserve
Jesus christ message ( coming to us Added good reasons to believe in the
through the apostle and the early historicity of the NT: many copies and
Christian community) and to spread translations made of the originals and early
it that are not contained in the NT, copies:
like the rigorous process of selecting - The original manuscripts of the
the NT that has taken most of this evangelists and inspired writers
lesson were not preserves as they were
- Other areas of tradition: the written in papyrus, whose lifespan is
organizations of the church, the around 200 years ( unless subjected
sacrament and rituals, moral to very dry conditions)
prescription, etc. - Thus all copies we have
come from copies of the
Understanding inspiration from the Holy originals and of other early
Spirit copies
- The sacred authors of the NT were - Nevertheless, the NT is the book
inspired when they wrote the with more manuscript copies in
gospels or the letters in two ways: history ( before the discovery of the
- They did not include any printing press ), actually many more
mistakes than any other book.
- They only recorded what was
necessary for us to use. That Manuscripts: Handwritten copies
is, the gospels don't contain - Writing was difficult and expensive
everything Jesus did, but - Always by hand, in scrolls, orcodex
what they have is just right form made from skins of calves or
for its purpose. little lambs and written using ink
- There is a lot of value in finding
Other realizations of what inspirations many copies of manuscripts of the
means: NT. The older they are the more
- It did not spare writers from the valuable they are, and having many
human effort of finding out what had of them shows value given to the
happened ( either about Jesus christ text by those who made them
or the early Christian Communities
- It did not spare the Christians of the
first centuries 9 especially the
bishops) from the effort of finding out
which ones have been inspired,
which they based it on two point:
- Those writings had no errors
Extant early copies of manuscripts of the The Quotations in the Writings of the
NT Ecclesiastical Writers:
A. Greek Manuscripts (5,000 texts)
i. 88 Papyri C. Quotations from the NT in works of
- From Egypt due to ecclesiastical writers
dry climate - Especially the fathers of the church
- From the 2nd century - Is it possible to reconstruct almost
to the 6th century the whole NT in greek and latin with
- Copies kept in the those quotations
famous libraries in - Older than most manuscripts
Europe - Sermons quotations were not literal

ii. 274 manuscripts written in Conclusion about the Manuscript

capitals copies:
iii. 2,797 manuscripts written in - The amount of texts of the NT in the
lower case three mentioned forms ( copies in
iv. 2,209 lectionaries - readings greek, translation to other
for the holy mass for public languages, quotation in
liturgy ecclesiastical writers) provide more
than enough material to be sure that
TOTAL : By 1976, 5,366 copies what has come to us ( through the
stringent selecting process of early
Copies of early Translations to other bishops and scholars) is really texts
languages: that the early Christian Community
(tradition) used and passed on to
B. Early Translations: 4,000 copies one another
- Latin (2nd century onward)
- Syriac ( 2nd and 3rd centuries) Which are two very important features of
- Armenian ( 4th century) Jewish history for the spread of
- Ethiopian Christianity?
- Gothic ( 4th century
- Slav ( 9th century) 1. The Diaspora of the Jews in the
- Arabic Mediterranean world
- The migration
Why are they useful? - Started with the Assyrian
- In early times, they were rather Exile (721 BC)
literal - Increased after the revolts
- To verify if some versions are against the Romans ( 63 BC,
complete AD 70, and AD 115-117)
- To contrast certain terms and - Population abroad larger
ideas than in Palestine, especially
in the big cities ( Alexandria)
live separately
 - Had their own synagogues
and schools
- Exempted from emperor
worship and allowed to follow
the sabbath and their feast
- Paid tax of the Jerusalem
Temple, collection-boxes ( till
70 AD)
- The apostles first preached
to the Jews before preaching
to the gentiles ( non-jew) too

2. The Septuagint
- A Greek translation of the Hebrew
Old Testament
- Commissioned by Ptolemy
Philadelphus, Egypt's king, around
250 BC.
- Seventy-two (actually more) Jewish
scholars working in Alexandria (and
outside), ending around 132 BC

Why was it very important for Christianity?

- For the conversion of the Gentiles:
the events in the NT could be
referred to those in the OT (Now
available in Greek too)
- Used in quotations from the OT in
the NT
 How did they manage to succeed?
Session # 5 - Beliefs and Practices - Most important factor: God’s help
The Development of Beliefs and Practices - Regarding immoral practices:
- Making difficult choices
Apostolic Father (Direct or close ( marriage and family, public
successors of the Apostles) - their life, work, neighbors)
testimonies is especially valuable - Toward unfair law
- Example
- Where did they clinch in times of
duress?
- Christ’s words transmitted
by the Apostles (and his
example and presence)

The Development of beliefs and practice

- Did Christ leave everything set
How did the first Christians see regarding doctrine and the
themselves? organization of the church?
- In physical appearance: - Left it to the apostles
- Exactly the exam as their ( church), aided by the Holy
neighbors Spirit ( and the church’s
- In relation to time: hierarchy)
- As passerby in this life - Why did he do so?
- Regarding Civil laws: - Because the church is a
- Obeyed them but regarded living organism, with ever
God’s law higher changing new members
- In matters of morality - Christ living through
- Upright behavior regarding its members
marriage and children - How did he do it?
- Towards their bodies ( sensual - Gradually, under the
pleasure) authority of the church
- Subject them to the soul - As the product of practice
( reason and faith) - Developing the sacramental
- Facing Criticism and Hatred rites and organizing the
- Love those who hate them church to serve its purpose.
( like the soul loves the body In the process it also
in spite of its tendencies developed its own theology,
- What was their last objective for the philosophy, and created a
world? Christian culture that made
- Convert the world (and in the an impact on history
process make it more
human, better)
 - Why is the council of Jerusalem What were the benefits of baptism?
important in this regard? - Forgiveness of original sin, join the
- Detached the church from mystical body of Christ, receive the
Judaism common priesthood of the faithful,
- Opening the church to the and compels the family to raise him/
gentiles ( becoming the her as a christian.
majority)
- First public praxis of the Why was the catechumenate
church hierarchy discontinued during the middle ages?
- Need to rush the conversion of the
The Practice of Baptism barbarian tribes
- Where does the necessity of it come - Most people were already Christians
from? (less danger of apostatizing)
- The word of Jesus christ
- Why was it seen the need for the What was a spurious Baptism practice
catechumenate among some proselytes?
- To ensure doctrine, - Wait until close to death, continue
determination, and good life of sin
example ( being lax or even
apostatize, especially during The Eucharist
persecution) - Why did Agape (love in Greek,
- When were they baptized? referring to a meal preceding the
- Easter vigil or on Saturday Eucharist) not last long?
before Pentecost - Abuses in eating and
drinking
Is there evidence of an early practice of - What was the original format of the
infant baptism? mass?
- St. Justin Martyr - Read the apologies of St.
- St. Hippolytus in Apostolic Tradition Justin Martyr
(AD 170-236) - How do we know that the early
- Tertullian (AD 160-225) - is against it Christians believed in
and prefers age of reason transubstantiation?
- Origen (AD 185-254) recommended - Testimony of saints and
it, to eliminate the sequel of original fathers of the church:
sin - Justin Martyr
- St. Augustine (AD 396-430) decried - Cyril of Jerusalem
that it was not administered to him - John Chrysostom
as a child - Gregory of Nyssa
- Cyril of Alexandria
- Ambrose
- Augustine
- John of Damacus
Where did the Christian meet? Customs
- When did they fast and offer
A. Private Homes. Who owned them? penances?
- Wealthier individuals, to accomodate - Wednesdays and Fridays
more - Why did Sunday replace the
- What does it tell us about the social Sabbath?
profile of the Church? - Resurrection and Pentecost (
- Across all social classes, not these days happened on a
just the poor Sunday); to avoid vigilance
- Beginning of the first century, during persecutions ( sunday
Christians transformed Basilicas was also the holiday of
( Roman buildings to administer pagan); Sunday Mass since
justice or hold gatherings) into AD300
churches, instead of pagan temples - Why did the Christians celebrate
( where sacrifices were held special days?
outdoors) - Like every culture, feast
related to Jesus Christ
B. Catacomb ( 2nd to 5th centuries) ( Epiphany before AD 300 in
- Why are they essentially Christian? the West)
- Roman practice of cremation - Why did the Christians use
- Christian belief in the symbols?
resurrection of the body - To represent beliefs or
- 60 in the outskirts of Rome practices
- St. Callixtus: 12 miles of - External manifestations of
tunnel and galleries, 4 internal belief and feelings
stories, 16 popes - Cross ( widely spread
since AD 300)
Types of burials: - Fish
- Loculum ( loculi): niche - Jesus Christ,
- Cubiculum: a small Son of God,
mausoleum room Savior
- Crypt: large mausoleum - Multiplication
room for popes and martyrs, of bread and
made into churches fish
- Anchor- safety in pre-
- Why did the Christians go inside? christian symbolism,
- Not for hiding hope as safety for
- Celebration of Baptism and salvation to keep
Eucharist one’s faith, similarity
- Places of prayers, especially with the cross
before the tombs of martyrs

The Papacy
- Is there evidence of such a belief in - Is that in accordance with the
the early times of christianity? teachings of Christ?
- Pope St. Clement of Rome - Peter, keeper of the keys
( AD 88-97) wrote a first ( video)
epistle to settle controversies
in corinth Historical reference about bishops:
- St. Ignatius of Antioch ( CA - The word ‘bishop’ used by homer
35-107), Epistle to the and in greek classical writers meant:
Romans officer who supervised the temple
- Appointed by ST. property or colonial affairs
Peter - First Christian reference: St.
- Upholds Ignatius of Antioch ( first
authority of century)
the bishop of - Also first to use “
rome Catholic Church’
- St. Irenaeus (130,202 AD) - Successors of the apostles
underlines the importance of - Great responsibility
traditional structures of the
Church - The Papacy - Priest
- Councils deferred the - From the greek
decision until the pope would Presbyteros
approve them - First news of
- Which Popes contributed to organize ordinations ( enable
better the papacy them to celebrate
- St. Leo - centralized church mass) as early as the
governance around the second century
pope’s preeminence - Extant ordination
- VS. the growing power of rites: St. Hippolytus
patriarchs of Constantinople (CA AD 170-236),
and Alexandria; because of Apostolic
political decline of the West, Constitutions (4th
invaded by the barbarians century)
- St. Gelasius (AD 496) - first
to use title of Vicar of Christ
to signify his divine authority
( in time of heresies)
- From the 8th to the 14th
centuries: Vicar of Christ’ title
used by popes, kings,
bishops, judges and priest
- After Innocent III( 13th
century) exclusive of the Choosing of canon Scriptures
pope - Why was the bible as it is now from
the start?
 - It took time for the church to - When was the issue about the NT
decide which ones were and OT settled by the church?
inspired - Council of Trent (1546)
- Accepted most from Jewish
OT (adding others like tobit What was the attitude of the Church
and wisdom) toward the Holy Scripture from the start?
- Preaching and teaching came first
- Who decided on it and what was - It was never separated from the
their criteria interpretation of it made by the
- The Church hierarchy
- Inerrancy ( no error), - Deciding which books were inspired
provenance ( author), took many centuries of study,
tradition upheld as such) deliberation, prayer and
- Cautious of (common) - The guidance of the Holy Spirit
literary forgeries in antiquity - Quick to reject apocryphal books
- Which books were universally pretending to be inspired
accepted by the early 3rd Century? - Tradition has always been
- All except Hebrews, Epistles indispensable
of St. James and Jude - Early christian literature,
- When was the declaration of the first liturgical practices, and
official Canon of Scriptures? statements of the church
- In the Synod of Rome of AD - Scriptures without the church’s
382, with the help of interpretation is not enough
Eusebius ( historian of the - Interpretation still goes on ( with the
church), Origen, St. holy spirit’s help) sine the church is a
Athanasius and Jerome living organism
( Linguist expert in Sacred - The OT was used by the church as a
Texts, translated bible to preparation for the NT, and
Latin, knew greek and especially as a prayer book
hebrew ( Psalms, Wisdoms, Ecclesiastes)
- When did the whole church in the
west accept it?
- around 410 ( gaul and Africa
included)

- What about the church in the East?

- Followed the approvals of
the west ( with some doubts
about the revelation)

- What about the OT? Conclusion

- St. Jerome’s Vulgate - Is our faith less believable due to the
generally accepted way it was developed?
 - Not so because God want to - Nothing
count on us and the holy - He practiced and preached
spirit is always acting in the fundamental social behavior
church that were supposed to
- In this manner of consolidation of the transform all human
church appropriate to man’s nature? relationships: human’s
- Yes, since we are endowed equality regardless of nation
with intelligence and free will or status, works of mercy as
and we are constrained by a criteria for salvation,
time ( evolving) bearing offense gracefully,
- What gives us the assurance of the and any more
Holy Spirit’s Guidance?
- Jesus Christ’s words and How did the Christians view slavery?
experience - Slavery was an accepted social
- What must we do to imitate the first practuce
Christians in these areas? - Relationship between the
- Study one’s faith under the master and the slave varied
guidance of the hierarchy a lot depending on many
personal and social factors
- Many slaves ( mostly war prisoners)
Session # 6- Social Issues were owned by the state and were
Christianity and Social Issues in the indispensable to work on public
Roman Empire works

Guide Questions for today’s lesson: Who is the one who discusses slavery in
- Did the spread of Christianity the NT and what does he say?
change positively the social - St. Paul in several passages:
condition of the marginalized and did
it improve the morality standards of
the Roman empire?

Slavery
- Number of slaves in the italian
peninsula - It was up to Philemon to set
- 2 million out of 7.5 million persons Onesimus free as a free man ( to
- Causes of slavery: liberate or manumit), but St. Paul did
- War conquest, debts, not suggest it
punishment, foundings, born - Ephesians 6:5-9
into. - Slaves to obey, doing it for God
- Master to avoid threatening slaves,
for God
Christianity’s view on slavery - God does not have favorites ( no
- What did Christ mention about partiality)
slavery?
 - Natural law, jewish law,
Christ’s message of respect
for life ( Value of each
person: God’s Child)
- The opposition of bishops against
those practices was consistent from
the start, as proven by the written
Did Slaves play an important role in the
testimony of some of the most
church?
famous and scholarly christian
- Former Slaves: first three popes
writers:
after St. Peter: Linus, Anacletus,
- Author of the Didache ( a very
Clement I
ancient writeup dated around 100
- They contributed to spread the faith
AD by an anonymous Christian
- We can imagine that Christian
writer, St. Clement of Alexandria
master set Christian slaves free,
(150-215), St. Epiphanius ( AD 315-
especially if they were active in
403), St. Jerome, Tertullian, St. John
spreading the faith or helping the
Chrysostom, St. Ambrose, St.
Church
Augustine
- Most come from pagan
Sexual Ethics
educational environment
- How did ancient Greeks and
Romans regard abortions and
Women
contraception?
- How did Greek and Roman
- Human life was considered
civilizations regard the status of
sacred and therefore
women?
abortion was considered
- Somehow their status was
immoral, although it was
the same as it has been until
somehow tolerated,
recent feminist movement
especially under certain
- How did Christianity regard women?
circumstances
- Women were highly
- During certain periods in the
appreciated in early
Roman empire abortion was
christianity
banned by the emperors
- Their role during jesus life:
- What abortions methods did they
Blessed Virgin Mary and
use?
Holy Women
- Herbs, poisons, massage,
- Women played a big role in
dilation and evacuation
spreading the faith
(hooks)
- Saint: Helena, Monica,
Perpetua and Felicity, Agnes
- Women cared so much about
their purity
What was the attitude of Christianity
towards abortion and contraception?
- St. Seraphia
- Rejected from the very start
- Early 2nd century
- Basis:
 - Wished to be a virgin for Why did they have to kill?
religious reasons - Religious persecutions never just for
- To avoid marriage, she sold religious reasons
her goods and became a
slave to sabina The Roman Side

- St. Cecilia Roman Religion

- Later 2nd century - Mythological Gods, accepted other
- Married to Valerian but Gods
convinced him that she - Semi-divine cult of emperor
would remain a virgin. The - Since Octavian Augustus,
two were martyred after his death but while alive
in subsequent emperors
~ there were many others early virgins that - This roman cult, together with
underwent martyrdom to preserve their previous cult to roman gods, was a
virginity cultural norm or tradition that implied
allegiance with the state
~ women were also very involved in taking - Pagan was attached to the
care of the sick and poor emperor
- one of the reasons many
pagan converted to Caligula (A.D 37-41)
christianity - Pathological case : clinical insanity
- Depravity and cruelty toward his
Conclusion: Was Christianity able to family and anyone, from his teen
make important social and moral onward
changes? - Deranged imagination
- Why did it happen that such a crazy
- Christianity did not challenge guy became emperor?
established social norms - Nephew of Emperor Tiberius
- Christianity confirmed and - Emperor by birth and
strengthened previous moral not merit
prescription
- Aside from benign a religion based
revelation, Christianity introduced
new standards of social relations
based on charity and mercy

Session # 7 - Persecutions against Nero (A.D 54-68)

Christians - The first persecution ( just in Rome)
- Mad emperor
 - Inheritance: stepson of - Accusing the cchristians of
Claudius superstition
- Nephew of Caligula - Religious ignorance
- First to organized the persecution of - Irrational reactions ( seeking
christians someone to blame for their
- The Fire in Rome misfortunes)
- In order to put up a house of - Unbridled passion
Gold - a new palance - Example of their leaders
- He provided emergency relief - Seeking excuse for their
to the victims and blamed the weaknesses
Christians
- Contrast of the lives of the Christians Trajan (A.D 98-117)
and his madness - The five good Emperors (A.D 96-
- He killed his parents and led 180)
his tutor, Seneca to kill - Nerva
himself - Trajan
- Hadrian
His attitude towards Christians: - Antonius Pius
- Cruel - Marcus Aurelius
- Declares christianity as unlawful - They had the support of the army,
- 'Christiani Non Sint' the senate, and people, and
- First Roman Martyr : St. Peter expanded the borders
- Because of revolt in Judea, Gaul, - Trajan's achievement:
Africa and Spain - Care for the foundlings and
- The army confronted him and he the poor
committed suicide vefore being killed - Victories over the dacians
and parthians - border intact
Emperor Domitian for 150 years
- “Dominus Et Deus” → Lord of God
- Secures army’s support but fought Trajan Rescript ( A.D 112)
the opp - Answer to Pliny the younger
- Why was he afraid of conspirators? ( governor of Bithynia)
- Tried to stop the spread of - documents that contained his
Christianity among the policies about the persecution and
patrician class punishment for Christians
- special taxes for Christians - Forgiveness for apostate
and Jews - Should denounce Christianity
- Why was Christianity becoming - Professed Christian = Death
popular among the elite
- He ended up as he deserved

Vox Populi ( mob not persecution) Hadrian’s Rescripts

- Why did the mobs attack the
christians?
 - Second cousin of Trajan, who had - Required integrity to live according
adopted him. Married the grand to the commandments and the
niece of Trajan advice from the Gospel
- Follower of Hellenism - A strong commitment to become a
- By promoting the cult of the Gods, disciple of Christ
causing a revolt of the Jews but he - Across ages,races, cultures, social
suppressed it standing, priest and laity
- Rescript about Christian to Serenus - Why did many die willingly for their
Granius, proconsul of Asia Minor: religion?
- How to contain murdering - Christ’s example
Christians? - should only be - Love for christ
persecuted if they act against - Love for others
the law - Being consistent
- Christians were tolerated - They received a special
grace to choose martyrdom
Marcus Aurelius
- Favorite adopted son of Hadrian Early 3rd Century Persecutions
- Wrote meditations
- Strict stoicisms Septimius Severus (193-211)
- Followed Trajan’s Rescript outlawing - Military playing a bigger role in
Christianity and persecuting choosing emperor
Christians - Banned circumcision and baptism in
- Most of the persecution from 202, causing persecution in Syria
the mobs and governor and Africa
- Successful vs. Völkerwanderung
( nomadic german Tribe The Crisis of the 3rd Century
1. Barbarian Pressure:
Conclusion: Why did they have to kill? a. Sassanid Empire of Sassian
- The way of choosing the emperors Dynasty
- The personal psychological b. Goth started putting pressure
conditions of emperors and other in the Danube frontier since
rulers 220s and reached the
- Controlling the Senate Balkans in 250s
- Deficiencies of the lower classes c. Franks and Alemanni
- Political Reason: unity of the empire become restless in the
- Compromising: Avoiding the troubles western Frontiers
~ consequent growth of the army, which
started to accept people from the colonized
areas, even Germanic people, draining
resources.

The Way ( Acts 9:2, 19:9)

 2. Increasing Importance of the Army in - AD 257: forbidding Christians from
Politics, esp. After Septimus meeting in public places and
Severus (193-211), forming a new celebrating the Eucharist in the
social class catacombs
- AD 258: lead to the execution of
3. Internal Anarchy after the Severan many bishops, priests and deacons,
Dynasty ended in 235. 238-284: 18 removing high officials
legitimate emperors and other - Martyrdom of Pope Sixtus II and
illegitimate ones. seven seasons ( St Lawrence in a
gridiron)
4. Economic Difficulties - Persecution slackened because of
- Increase of army salaries military pressure by the Goths and
- Increase of taxes Persians
- Increase of inflation - Persian Sapor I captured, tortured
- Debasing the coinage and executed valerian (AD 255-260)
- Asking personal contribution
from provincial officers The Tetrarchy
- Flight to the countryside - Divided provinces into dioceses
- Larger army, defensive works along
Decius (AD 249-251) the borders, more financial burden
- Christians enjoyed relative peace - No tetrarch lived in Rome, which
between 211-250 weakened the status of the City
- Decius launched the first empire- - Removed power from the Senate
wide persecution vs. christians, - Institutionalized the imperial
trying to revive the strength of the succession among his generals
empire by means of religion unity - But after his death, the tetrarchs
- Decius Edict enforced sacrificing the started to compete for power
pagan Gods.
Division in Dioceses
Kinds of Apostates ( Christians who
renounced their faith out of fear): Four Edicts (Last 3 only to the East)
- Sacrificanti: those who sacrificed - In 303, after defeating the
- Thurificanti : those who burned barbarians
incense - Maximian and Galerius convinced
- Libellatici: Those who bought Diocletian to persecute Christians
certificates of having worshiped - 1st edict: destruction of churches
- Lapsi: any of the above and burning of scriptures, banning
- Novatianist Schism of rigorists gatherings
- Who did not want to accept Next Edict only in the East:
back the lapsi who repented - 2nd Edict: imprisonment of clergy
- Popes allowed readmission - 3rd Edict: demanded pagan
of lapsi after long penances sacrifices from clergy
- 4th: ditto for every Christians
Valerian ( AD 253-260) The Church continued Growing
 - By 250 AD, a rough estimate ⅓ of - Increasing support to Christianity:
the empire was christian ( in Rome: tax exemptions, donations
50,000 out of 1 million) allowed, no Sunday work,
abolishing crucifixion, he stops
The Transition
attending pagan rites and
- 305: Diocletian abdicates the
ceremonies
convinces Maximian to step down
- Galerius in the East and Constantius - 330: Founded Constantinople
in the West ( constantine in 307) over Greek city of Byzantium
- 311: Galerius declares freedom to (dedicated to Mary Theotokos),
exercise the Christian religion ( after and transferred the capital (East
he believes his leprosy to be God’s richer & more populated than
punishment). The west follows West of the Empire)
- Power struggle after Galerius death: - 337: Baptized by an Arian bishop
Maxentius ( maximian’s son) Eusebius of Nicomedia on his
controlled Italy and sought to defeat deathbed
Costantine for the west’s control.
- Proclaimed a saint by the East
Constantine attacked Rome
Church (objectionable behavior:
Constantine (Eusebous of Caesarea’s- son’s and wife‘s execution)
ca. AD 263-339 - account of his victory)
- Reflecting on which God to address St. Helen
for help against Maxentius: appeal to - Mother of Constantine, humble
several gods to proved ineffective in origins, married general Constantius
the past in 270
- Thinking of the God of his father, - Converted in her 60s (310s)
who gave him victories ( the - Pilgrimage to Holy Land after 324
unconquered Sun God) - With the help of Bishop Macarius of
- Vision of the cross of light above the Jerusalem, Found the Holy Cross
sun with inscription : conquer by this and Titulus Crucis
- Dream of Jesus asking him to use - Had built the Churches of the
the sign Nativity and the Ascension
- Conclusion: looking for a protector - Died in 328
God, very unrefined fath, mixed with
superstition Julian the Apostate
- Wins battle of Saxa Rubra near - Male relatives executed
Milvian bridge against Maxentius - Educated by pagan Mardonius and
- Declares Christian God’s favor Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia
- 313: Edict of Milan - religious - Attached to paganism in Athens
freedom, restoring properties to the school (with St Gregory of
church, later on he helped construct Nazianzus)
churches - 355: Caesar. 361: Emperor (after
- 324: defeat Licinius ( persecution Constantius II died, about to going
vs Bishops and clergy, 321) into war against him)
 - Brought back the pagan religion and - Freedom of the Christian
education (ethical life; copied religion
Church’s organization & rites) - Christianity counts on favor
- Removed privileges to Christian of the State
Church, permitted heretical bishops - Political influence for
to return conversion
- Died fighting the Persians - CONS:
- Intolerance toward other
Union of Throne and Altar religions
- Jovian (363-364) returned privileges - Confusion of jurisdictions
- Valentinian (364-375, West), Valens (meddling)
(364-368, E) - Doubtful understanding of
- Gratian (West, 375-383) gave up the new faith
insignia of Pontifex Maximus and - UNAVOIDABLE due to
confiscated pagan religion property historical setting
- Theodosius I the Great (East, 379-
395). Conclusion on the Persecution:
- In 391: declared Christianity the
official religion of the Empire; 1. Beware of attributing just religious
- 392: outlawed paganism, punishable reasons for religious persecutions
by death, decreeing the destruction 2. It is usually mixed up with other
of pagan temples. Heresy became a reasons:
legal offense. a. .Political: keep unity, also to
- Union of throne and altar: subjects of avoid competition
a state share the same religion b. .Personal political ambition
(continuity with Roman tradition) c. Even economic factors (if
- Caesaropapism: Dual role of the traders or business from
emperor as head of the state and outside and have a different
the church (strong influence, esp. in culture/religion)
the East where the emperor 3. Personal ego or interest
meddled in choosing the Patriarch of
Constantinople)
- The papacy wanted a good working
relationship with the emperor since
Constantine moved to Byzantium

Conclusion on Christianity becoming the

official religion of the Roman Empire
- PROS:
Session #8 - Heresies and the Faith
Heresies in the first centuries of Christianity Marcionism: Jesus Christ is the God of love,
and the Fathers of the Church while God the Creator was the evil
(material) Demiurge, 144-400s. Against the
Early Heresies Old Testament and the Jewish religion.
2nd and 3rd Centuries: influenced by Manicheism: Dualism between light and
Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism (eastern darkness, prophets will liberate men (the
influence persia) elect), 250s-1000s.
- current philosophies in the roman Montanism: Apocalyptic, new heavenly
empire kingdom in Pepuza, 156-200s.
A time of transition in the contact with the Docetism: (dokesis: appearance,
pagan world semblance) Jesus Christ was impassible,
not truly human, switched before passion,
**Heresies came not from within the church 30s-100s.
but from the influence of the church
4th and 5th Centuries Heresies
Why were there (and are) heresies? Philosophizing and Theological Work about
We want to understand Christ
We want to feel we are doing the right thing
We have passions (pride) Ecumenical Councils
We are insecure, tending to extremes From oikoumene: “the whole inhabited
world;”
**Heresies - intellects, related to diff pov, Refers to gatherings of bishops from all over
people fighting each other, people the world under the leadership of the Pope
defending their points and exaggerated to discuss key issues of the Church
First in 325 (Nicaea), last Vatican II (1962-
Christians influenced by the Eastern quasi- 1965): 21 in all
philosophical religion of Gnosticism (Divine Presently only the Pope can convene it and
Being and the Demiurge: spirit/knowledge he has to accept or reject the decrees
vs. matter; the redeemer a representative of passed
the former vs. later). Popular among some Definitions (faith and morals) are infallible if
educated Christians since the 2nd century the Pope and bishops declare so
onwards, especially in the East of the First 6 councils addressed Christological
Empire. heresies
First 7 recognized by the West and East;
**Divine Being - spirit/ knowledge vs and after the Reformation by the mainline
Demiurge - material world Protestants. Eastern Orthodox do not
recognize after the 7th (A.D. 787) because
Heresy caused by Gnosticism: It kept the they did not join
duality between the spiritual and the
material, thus, Jesus Christ has no human Heresies
nature. His body is an apparition, his spirit Arianism (310): Christ is not God, but an
left before Calvary, thus he did not die on exceptional creature)
the cross. Solution: The Council of Nicaea (325)
settled it: He is God and man because he is
homoousios: Christ is of the same and 750 AD that were recognized by
substance as God (Reflected in the Nicene the Church as deserving the title of
Creed) “doctor” or “teacher” of the Church
Apollinarianism (360): Christ is not fully man
because he has no human mind and will Features of the Fathers of the Church
(only divine mind and will) (different from the Apostolic Fathers):
Solution: the Council of Constantinople Conditions:
clarified that he was fully God and fully man 1. Orthodoxy of doctrine
(381) (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed= 2. Holiness
Long creed prayed at Mass on Sunday by 3. Fame for the two above (notoriety)
Catholics) 4. Belong to a specific period: 320-750
Nestorianism (428): Christ is two persons: (antiquity)
one divine and another human 5. Not conferred by the Church, but by
Solution: Council of Ephesus (431): He is common understanding within the Church.
one person with two natures (divine and Not specific number but there are many. Not
human) (Mary is Theotokos or Mother of all as famous.
God because we cannot separate Jesus
Christ from his humanity. Of course, she
cannot be the mother of the deity, but the
mother of Jesus Christ, who is both God
and man)
Monophysitism (400s): Christ has only one
divine nature (the human nature is
incorporated to the divine), which is also
wrong (as he has two)
Solution: Council of Chalcedon (451):
Hypostatic union (or union of two natures in
one person)
Monothelitism (Heraclius, 600s): Christ has
one will and two natures • Patristics studies the history and
Solution: Popes and 3rd Council of writings of the Fathers of the Church
Constantinople (680-681): he has two wills • After the Apostolic Fathers, they
(divine and human) contribute the next substantial
Donatism (311): Opposed to the source of the Tradition of the Church
effectiveness of sacraments administered • Because of the proximity to the early
by traditors (or those who apostatized) Church and their scholarship, and
Pelagianism (late 300s): no need of grace holiness, they are a standard
because there was no original sin reference for the clarification and
interpretation of Scripture and of the
The Fathers of the Church (320-750 AD) teachings of the Church
 Great Minds and Hearts in Difficult • Some of them (among the most
Times for Christianity famous and prolific) were declared
 A set of bishops with an outstanding doctors of the Church by the popes
intellectual capacity between 320 (because their contribution to
 theology and their holiness of life). • 374-379, ascetical life in Syrian
This title started to be granted from desert with others, when he learned
the Middle Ages onwards Hebrew
• 382-385, secretary of Pope St.
St. Ambrose of Milan (ca. 339-397) Damasus I, asked him to translate
• Born in Trier, Germany into Latin the Old Testament and the
• Son of the praetorian prefect for NT
Gaul, who came from a noble • 386 onward, head of a monastery in
ancient Roman family that had Bethlehem, where he devoted
embrace Christianity early on himself to Biblical scholarship
• Studied law and became a governor • Wrote about theological issues in the
based in Milan contemporary controversies and
• Chosen by popular acclamation as especially against heresies
Bishop of Milan in 373, even if he • Most importantly: translated the
was only a catechumen and tried to Bible to Latin (Vulgate: from vulgus,
turn down his election. Substituted common; because he used the
an Arian bishop. common Latin of the people of his
• Fought against Arianism time)
• Renowned preacher • His sources: OT from Hebrew,
• Encouraged monasticism Psalms from Septuagint, NT from
• Knew Greek well and engaged in Greek or revised Latin versions
theological exchanges with the East • Especially important because he
• Incorporated hymns in the liturgy made use of original sources that no
(some of which he composed in longer exist
Latin)
St. John Chrysostom (ca. 347-407)
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-450 AD) • Born in Antioch to a high officer of
• Please read the excerpt and notice the Roman army; studied law in
his short autobiography Antioch, excelling in Greek and
• He tried everything he found exciting classical culture
• Great mind and great communicator • Converted because of the influence
(elegant and witty writing style) of Bishop Meletius, ca. 367, became
• First to write an extensive treatise on a deacon, and studied theology
the Holy Trinity and so many other under Diodorus, future bishop of
topics of Christian theology Tarsus
• He also wrote against the heresies • Became a monk, under Pachomian
of his time: Arianism, Donatism, Rule (of St. Pachomius), ca. 373-
Manicheism, and Pelagianism 381. The last two years as an
anchorite (anachôrein: to withdraw;
St. Jerome (345-420) or hermit). Severe fasting and
• Born in Strido, Dalmatia penances broke his health and had
• Converted in Rome, traveled to to return to Antioch
West and East, ordained priest in • 386, ordained a priest
Antioch
 • Acquired fame of Chrysostom
(golden mouth) because of his
sermons: depth of spiritual (and
literal) meaning of Biblical texts, and
practicality (applications)
• Wrote On the Priesthood
• 398, emperor Arcadius named him
Patriarch of Constantinople,
against his wishes
• Because of his criticism of the
imperial family and court, gained the
enmity of Empress Eudoxia and
went into exile twice. Died when
forced into a death march when he
had already a failing health

Conclusion
• God prepared great minds to lead
the Church through a period of
confusion
• Most of them came from pagan
environments where they received
the best classical education, which
after conversion they used to
understand, explain, and preach the
faith
• They left an extraordinary amount of
materials explaining the faith in
many varied points, expanding the
Tradition of the Church
• They became an obligatory
reference for Christian theology
• They shared an attraction to
contemplative life