Early Christianity Christianity in the 3rd century

1 christianity

1.1 defining scripture
1.2 heresies
1.3 iconography
1.4 monasticism

early christianity

a folio p46, 3rd-century collection of pauline epistles.


defining scripture

the biblical canon began officially accepted books of koine greek old testament. septuagint or seventy accepted foundation of christian faith along gospels, book of revelation , letters of apostles (including acts of apostles , epistle hebrews) of new testament.

by 200 s, origen of alexandria may have been using same 27 books in modern new testament, though there still disputes on canonicity of hebrews, james, ii peter, ii john , iii john, , revelation, referred antilegomena.

heresies

the letters accepted many christians part of scripture warned mixing judaism christianity, leading decisions reached in first ecumenical council, convoked emperor constantine @ nicaea in 325 in response further disruptive polemical controversy within christian community, in case arian disputes on nature of trinity. before 325, heretical nature of beliefs matter of debate within churches. after 325, opinion formulated dogma through canons promulgated councils.

early iconography

christ jesus, shepherd, 3rd century.

christian art emerged relatively late. according art historian andré grabar, first known christian images emerge ad 200, though there literary evidence small domestic images used earlier. although many hellenised jews seem, @ dura-europos synagogue, have had images of religious figures, traditional mosaic prohibition of graven images no doubt retained effect. rejection of images, although never proclaimed theologians, , necessity hide christian practise persecution, leaves few archaeological records regarding christianity , evolution. oldest christian paintings roman catacombs, dated 200, , oldest christian sculptures sarcophagi, dating beginning of 3rd century.

monasticism

institutional christian monasticism seems have begun in deserts in 3rd century egypt kind of living martyrdom. anthony of egypt (251-356) best known of these hermit-monks. anthony great , pachomius monastic innovators in egypt, although paul hermit first christian historically known have been living monk. eastern orthodoxy looks basil of caesarea founding monastic legislator, example of desert fathers. shortly after 360 martin of tours introduced monasticism west. benedict of nursia, lived century later, established rule led him being credited title of father of western monasticism. scholars such lester k. little attribute rise of monasticism @ time immense changes in church brought constantine s legalization of christianity. subsequent transformation of christianity main roman religion ended position of christians small group. in response, new more advanced form of dedication developed. long-term martyrdom of ascetic replaced violent physical martyrdom of persecutions. others point historical evidence individuals living life later known monasticism before legalization of christianity.in fact believed carmelites started jewish prophet elias.

from earliest times there individual hermits lived life in isolation in imitation of jesus 40 days in desert. have left no confirmed archaeological traces , hints in written record. communities of virgins had consecrated christ found @ least far 2nd century. there individual ascetics, known devout, lived not in deserts on edge of inhabited places, still remaining in world practicing asceticism , striving union god. anthony great first leave world , live in desert monk. anthony lived hermit in desert , gradually gained followers lived hermits nearby not in actual community him. 1 such, paul hermit, lived in absolute solitude not far anthony , looked upon anthony perfect monk. type of monasticism called eremitical or hermit-like.

as monasticism spread in east hermits living in deserts of egypt palestine, syria, , on asia minor , beyond, sayings (apophthegmata) , acts (praxeis) of desert fathers came recorded , circulated, first among fellow monastics , among laity well.

among these earliest recorded accounts paradise, palladius of galatia, bishop of helenopolis (also known lausiac history, after prefect lausus, whom addressed). athanasius of alexandria (whose life of saint anthony great set pattern monastic hagiography), jerome, , other anonymous compilers responsible setting down influential accounts. of great importance writings surrounding communities founded pachomius, father of cenobiticism, , disciple theodorus of tabennese, founder of skete form of monasticism.