Early Church Teachings(Acts – 250 AD)

Vocabulary

Orthodox • right teaching

Heterodox • other teaching,

possibly dangerousHeresy• false teaching,

definitely dangerous

Monotheism• Belief in one God

Polytheism• Belief in many gods

Spreading the Word

• Teachings passed from person to person• Oral tradition• Example - John (the disciple) taught Polycarp (Bp.

of Smyrna) who taught Irenaeus (Bp. of Lyons)• Apostles’ teachings on same level w/ OT• Gospels mentioned by Irenaeus• Full New Testament by mid 300s

Threat of Gnosticism• Natural world – bad! • Saved by secret knowledge (gnosis)• God of OT and “Father” are different• OT God – Justice• Father – Love

• Said their teachings what Jesus really meant• Secret tradition from Peter and Paul

Threat of Gnosticism, continuedChurch response• Why didn’t Peter and Paul teach this openly?• Writings disagreed w/ other apostles’ teachings

Gnostic writings• Gospels of Thomas, Truth, Philip, Mary

Magdalene, JudasGnostic threat helped the church be very careful about what was included in the New Testament• Written by an apostle or under apostle’s

guidance?• Does it agree with known apostolic teachings?

Other False Teachings Develop

•Monotheism was emphasized more than salvation. Why?• Culture was polytheistic• Christians were accused of polytheism • Worshipped Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Early heresies – attempts to explain relationship between Father and Son

Early Heresies about Christ

• Father just took on mode of Son• Son was true man but adopted as Christ• Issues don’t get resolved until 300s• Reason for Nicene Creed