Christianity spread along two intellectual tracks: a Jewish textual/covenantal stream and a Greco-Roman philosophical stream. Their collision in early councils shaped doctrine for centuries.
Tag: early church
Why Christian Doctrine Produces Internal Conflict
The doctrinal tensions within Christianity trace back to a foundational divergence: the collision of Hebraic, Greek, Eastern, and Roman intellectual frameworks in the early Church.
The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Examine the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus: the empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, the transformation of the disciples, and the early creed of 1 Corinthians 15.
Gnosticism: The Ancient Heresy That Co-Opted Christianity
Gnosticism was a pre-Christian mystical worldview that co-opted Christian language. Explore its emanation theology, the Demiurge, and how the apostle John confronted it.
Nero and Paul: Power Fades, Character Remains
Nero sat in judgment over Paul. Today men name dogs after Nero and sons after Paul. A study in how power fades while character endures across the centuries.
What Happened to Jewish Christianity?
The first Christians were overwhelmingly Jewish, yet within two centuries Jewish Christianity had virtually disappeared. Explore how the Jewish revolts of AD 70, 115, and 132-135 shattered Jewish-Christian leadership and shifted the church to Gentile dominance.
Why the Council of Nicaea Changed Everything
The Council of Nicaea affirmed the deity of Christ but also inaugurated the union of church and state. Explore how Constantine's presence reshaped the church and set the stage for the medieval papacy, the Inquisition, and the Reformation.
Supplemental Study: The Birth of the Thessalonian Church
The Thessalonian church was born in the fires of persecution. Their story reveals what it means to receive the gospel with genuine faith.