Tammy’s Reviews > Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought > Status Update

In Christology, one question was if Jesus was of the same substance as God (twins) or like substance (siblings). Two Greek words differed only by a vowel but much debate was held over that vowel. The matter of the Trinity could not be settled until the nature of Jesus was settled. The Greek understanding is theology from above: the Word (God) became flesh and was incarnate. He was always God and took a human nature.

EO also quibble with the following lines in the Apostle’s Creed: “he descended into hell” and “communion of saints”. I do love the harrowing of hell imagery. The point of the creeds is to come to a consensus about key doctrines of the faith. So many questions had not been fully answered and ecumenical councils wrote creeds based on consensus and what had been handed down by the bishops from the apostles.

Anglicans are creedal, for they seek the middle way and the Vincentian Canon. The Appstele's Creed was earliest documented in the 8th century, and legend says each apostle contributed one of twelve lines. The Nicene was hammered out i the 4th century, and its length is to document beliefs about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Eastern orthodox quibble about the Son proceeding from the Father.

The order in which books are arranged is another question. The gospels are first, followed by Acts, but the eastern church wanted Paul's letters after the others. Both agree on Revelation last. Those written by named Apostles and those with clear authority accepted by consensus seem to be the primary factor. There was a battle between the outward tradition handed down by patristics versus Gnostic hidden knowledge.

Canon means a fixed reference point. The OT was already fixed as the Scrpture read in Jesus's day. From early on 4 Gospels, Acts (Luke Part 2), Paul's letters, and Revelations were accepted. Coming from the apostles made it authoritative. Athanasius came up with 27 books, but the West hesitated with Hebrews and the East with Revelation. The Didache was thought to be helpful but not authoritative.

On Christianity and the classical culture, writers pulled rhetoric and grammar (literature and poetry) in crafting Christian literature. Pre-Constantine, the culture was oppressive. Constantine made Rome the servant of the Gospel and allowed Christians pulled in what seems right and serves the faith. It is like the Israelite using Egyptian treasure to build the Tabernacle to worship God.

His synthesized Christian thought to promote the doctrines of Trinity, church and grace, refute Gnosticism and Pelagianism, and present Christianity systematically. He promoted keeping the good from culture and rejecting the useless or burdensome. Several of his books are widely read today.

Augustin picked up Romans 13:14, which says to clothe yourself with Christ (like yesterday's Gospel where the uninvited guest was not properly robed). He was already fed up with paganism, and this was the sign from God that pushed him into certainty. He returned from Milan to Africa for health reasons. He was made bishop of Hippp. His writings made him like a second founder of the Christian faith.

Augustine of Hippo is a father I need to read Confessions, City of God, and On Christian doctrine plus finish Athanasius' On the Incarnation. He is one of Christianity's most influential writers. He is a Berber from Algeria (content of character, not color). He was a bit of a bad boy and his mother Monica prayed for him. He heard children singing in Latin, "Take up and read." The nearest thing was Roman's 13:14.

Athanasius was from Alexandria. He was outspoken and excommunicated a lot. He battled Arianism, which rejected the divinity of Christ. We can't worship Christ if he is not fully divine. It would be idolatry. He wrote "On the Incarnation" but not the long creed named for him.