Church State Relations Flashcards Preview

History of Christian Thought > Church State Relations > Flashcards

Flashcards in Church State Relations Deck (29)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Authentic accounts of martyrdom from the second century come in what three literary forms?

A

Letters- by churches that describe the accompanying events and martyrdoms of those in their number
Passions- that narrate the last days and death of the martyrs
Acts- recount their trials before the authorities

2
Q

Rather than seeking out martyrdom, what is the example that the author of The Martyrdom of Polycarp (perhaps the earliest martyrdom account) gives for how a Christian should respond during persecution?

A

The Martyrdom of Polycarp- retired from city to avoid death…. When captured confessed his faith firmly and endured his trial and execution with dignity and courage.

3
Q

The persecution at Lyons (contemporary France) in the 2nd c. is considered exceptional. Why?

A
Firsthand account (letters) of the rage of the populace that resulted in exceedingly brutal experiences for the Christians
 Large numbers of martyrs, the Roman citizens being beheaded and the rest condemned to the wild beast contests in the arena.
4
Q

Before death, what did soon-to-be martyrs prefer to be called?

A

Confessors

5
Q

What is unique about the Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas?

A

Incorporates 2 writings from martyrs themselves and 1 of these is diary of Perpetua- one of the few women authors known from ancient church
Perpetua was a catechumen
Perpetua’s father was beaten at court when he brought her son to plead with her- She still said she was a Christian
Felicitas was pregnant and thought she would not be martyred with the others

6
Q

What does the Greek word “martyr” mean?

A

Witness

7
Q

Which book of the Bible uses the word “martyr” most similarly to the way that 2nd c. Christians used the word?

A

Revelations

8
Q

Did the Church affirm or deny that forgiveness of sins was given to unbaptized (“catechumens”) martyrs?

A

Affirmed their forgiveness; Perpetua was a catchumen

9
Q

According to Ferguson, during which years did the Church experience its first relatively long reprieve from persecution?

A

211-250

10
Q

The reign of which emperor marks the change from local, sporadic persecutions to an “empire-wide assault on Christianity?” What event, during his reign, sparked a revival of ancient Roman customs?

A

250-251 CE.- Decius- 1st empire wide attack- began as result of celebration of the 1000th anniversary of traditional founding of Rome.

11
Q

Who did Decius arrest first? What order did he issue? What did one need to obtain in order to be exempt from persecution?

A

Higher Clergy- arrested first
Issued order to sacrifice to the gods of the empire
One needed to obtain a certificate in order to be exempt from persecution

12
Q

What term did the North African church use to refer to Christians who had capitulated and sacrificed to the Roman gods during the Decian persecution?

A

Lapsi- “the lapsed”

13
Q

In Cyprian’s day, what three steps did a person who had lapsed need to take to reconcile with the church? What are specific examples of how these three steps would look in the daily life of a church?

A

1-The performance of works of penance: praying, fasting, lamenting & weeping, wearing sackcloth, observing vigils, giving alms, and all while being excluded from

2-Eucharist

3- Confession in the presence of the Church

4- Reconciliation by a laying on of hands of bishop and clergy and by prayer

14
Q

What distinguished the two crises in which Cyprian participated in Carthage and in Rome regarding the lapsi in the wake of the Decian Persecution?

A

x

15
Q

What four edicts were issued during Diocletian’s “Great Persecution,” and when did it begin?

A

303CE

4 edicts issued during “Great Persecution”
1- Christian buildings were to be leveled, 2- scriptures were burned, and 3- anyone appearing in a court of law had to sacrifice, as did anyone when challenged to do so.

Governors were ordered to arrest and imprison bishops
Bishops could be released if they sacrificed
Sacrifice to the gods was made obligatory to everyone

16
Q

What key move does Leo the Great (400-61 CE) make when interpreting John 21?

A

Interpreted John 21 as Jesus Christ extending to all bishops authority through Peter and his successors

17
Q

Who wrote the Edict of Milan and when?

A

Constantine, 313

18
Q

What status does the Edict of Milan grant to Christianity? And what does the Edict of Milan order to be restored to Christians?

A

Grants authority to observe that religion which each preferred- granted Christianity equal rights

Orders those places where they (Christians) were accustomed to assemble be restored to them at once.

19
Q

Who wrote the Edict of Thessalonica and when?

A

Theodosius I ; 380CE

20
Q

What status does Theodosius afford to “Catholic Christianity?”

A

Made Christianity official religion

21
Q

What metaphor does Innocent III use to describe the relationship between the Church and State in his Letter to the Nobles of Tuscany?

A

Says Church is the sun- greater light
Says state is the moon- lesser light

22
Q

In his Papal Decree on the Choice of a German King, who does Innocent III claim raises kings to their positions of power?

A

Claims pope raises king to their positions of power
*Marks a major shift in political theology where the Pope has significant power, even to appoint kings

23
Q

Who gave the initial order to SEEK OUT Christians to arrest them

A

Marcus Aurelius

24
Q

Who conducted the first Empire-wide persecution of Christians?

A

Decius - on the Anniversary celebration

25
Q

What is the Tetrarchy?

A

The split that Diocletian implemented that gave 4 lesser emporers power; it fell aprt and was followed by Edict of Milan after Constantine marches on Rome after being converted

26
Q

When did Christians become recognized as their own group/religion seperate from Jews?

A

96 CE

27
Q

Who is Eusebius of Caesarea?

A

Lived before and after the edict of Milan; Bishop of Caesarea who writes about the life of Constantine, praising his works and portraying him as God’s chosen leader on Earth

28
Q

How does Constantine illustrate City of God vs. City of Man? What is he alluding to?

A

Distinguishes a City of God from a City of Man, different beginnings from sin and God, City of Man opperates by its own will, City of God operates by God’s grace, two endings with the City of Man being destroyed, the City of God is on a pilgrimage and will live on with God forever, Rome will fall and that’s OK because God’s Kingdom will live on

29
Q
A