Early Controversies and the Growth of Christianity
Ebook
This revealing history examines the controversies, maneuvering, and political wrangling that occupied the Christian Church for the first four centuries of its existence.
Drawing from primary texts, Early Controversies and the Growth of Christianity reveals how the religion was formed through a series of conflicts that occurred primarily between Christian groups. Presenting a close examination of the first four centuries of Christian history through the lens of the controversies that animated, disturbed, and finally formed the Church, the book will enable readers to become familiar with the lives and writings of the early Christians and to better understand the fascinating history of early Christianity.
The book focuses on several major early controversies. These include controversies surrounding the apostle Paul; controversies concerning the apostolic fathers, especially the idea of a pope and the role of the bishop/priest; Marcion and his influence; Manichaeism and Gnosticism; persecution and the Dontatists; Arianism; the rise of the bishop in the late 4th century; and power struggles between church and state. Each chapter focuses on the primary texts and key players in the battle over what would finally become orthodox Christianity, demystifying many poorly understood events that ultimately helped define today's Church.
This revealing history examines the controversies, maneuvering, and political wrangling that occupied the Christian Church for the first four centuries of its existence.
Maps of Paul's journeys, of the cities that Ignatius of Antioch visited, and of the Roman and Persian Empires
Photographs including Caravaggio's Conversion of Paul, the Chi-Rho symbol, the Arian Baptistry in Ravenna Italy, the Arch of Constantine, the Altar of Victory, and Van Dyck's Ambrose
An overall chronology and a separate chronology for each chapter
Series Foreword by Bella Vivante
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Paul and the Early Christians
2. The Early Defenders of the Faith
3. Marcion: A New Interpretation
4. The Manichaeans
5. The Christianizing of the Empire
6. Arianism
7. The Power of the Bishops
Conclusion
Bibliography
Further Reading
Index
Kaatz (history, California State East Bay Campus, Hayward) offers a lucid guide to the texts, doctrines, and personalities defining what, by the early fifth century, became mainstream Christianity. . . . general readers and upper-division undergraduates in courses on early Christian history, personalities, and doctrines will benefit most from this handsomely produced volume. Summing Up: Recommended.
- Title: Early Controversies and the Growth of Christianity
- Author: Kevin W. Kaatz
- Publisher: Praeger
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBN: 9798216076759
- Resource ID: LLS:9798216076759
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-12T12:53:14Z
Kevin W. Kaatz, PhD, is lecturer in the Department of History at California State University, East Bay Campus, Hayward, CA.