• Monotheistic
• c318 Edict of Milan: legalized Christianity
• Catholic: means “universal” (heretic or infidel)
• c325 Nicene Creed: standard Catholic (universal) philosophy
• Nicene Creed: The Synod at Nice set forth this Creed.

 

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of his Father, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and the third day he rose again, and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not, or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion--all that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.

From The Seven Ecumenical Councils, ed. H. Percival, in the Library of Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, 2nd series (New York: Charles Scribners, 1990), Vol XIV, 3

 

Jesus was not a prophet but actually God on Earth

Holy Trinity is three beings all of same vehicle;

God- creator,

Jesus- incarnate flesh,

Ghost- spirit

Heretics are people against church; “wrong believers”

Structure of Church’s Authority:

Jesus’s #1 Main Apostle- Peter (Petrus) (“rock”, 1st pope)

“On this rock I will build this church,” said Jesus.

Hierarchy:

Pope

Bishops

Cardinals.

Priests become bishops and cardinals are important bishops that elect pope.

• Triad of Three cultures ideas: Roman, Greek, Jewish
• Greeks and Romans Influence:
• Plays for morality,
• Symbols of dome and circle (iconography),
• Saints, Bldgs.,
• State religion w/ pope @ head, roads, technology, laws, language
• Jewish Influence:
• monotheistic faith,
• Bible (Old Testament),
• rules,
• 10 Commandments
• Vulgate: common version of the Bible
• Christ: means “annointed”, blessed one
• Philosophical points: it’s all about love, be nice to one another, forgiveness, guilt
• So popular b/c: afterlife is rewarding, Jesus and apostles from lower class so people relate, rulers are dictators, (antiwar, afterlife, forgiveness).

Old Testament: prophetic book (typological exegesis) leads to life of Christ

  Psalms: songs

  Prophecy: coming of messiah

  Apocrypha: history added on, leads up to birth Christ, family tree

New Testament: Gospels (teachings & stories)

  Acts: apostles’ stories after life Christ

  Letters: lives of apostles

  Revelation: apocalypse