...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WHAT THE DECIAN PERSUCTION REVEALED ABOUT THE CHURCH A PAPER SUBMITTED TO … IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHHI 520 BY KIMBERLY SOUTER LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA FEBRAURY 19, 2014 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………. 3 THE CLIMATE ON THE EVE OF DECIUS’ EDICT…………………………………… 3 The Church in the Third Century………………………………………………….. 3 The Imperial Crisis of the Third Century (AD 235-284)………………………….. 5 DECIUS’ EDICT AND ITS EFFECT…………………………………………………….. 5 Cyprian…………………………………………………………………………….. 7 EXILES…..………………………………………………………………………………... 8 APOSTATES OR THE “LAPSED”…….………………………………………………… 10 MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS………………………………………………………… 12 CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………. 14 BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………. 16 INTRODUCTION Certain tensions existed with the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire. Prior to the advent of Christianity and even up to 200 AD, Rome was relatively tolerant of religions. Judaism was accepted into the mix of various pagan religions of the Empire, and in its infancy Christianity was simply considered a sect of Judaism, which seemed to pose no real threat to the Empire because Jews did not seek to proselytize. However, Christians were zealous in their worship of Jesus and their spreading of His message, so that in the third century Rome’s policy toward the Christians changed. Persecution...
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...During the medieval period, Religion was a topic of great importance within a person's life. The church guided society and culture based on the teachings and understandings of the life of Jesus Christ. We are able to highlight the importance of the church during the medieval period through the teachings and life of Jesus. The characteristics of the medieval period and the impact of important aspects such as monasteries, art and architecture and health and medicine, give us a more in depth idea of what it was like during the middle ages and how people were drawn to religion and the teachings of the church. Beginning in the 300s, monasticism affected the entire church and also influenced European culture, theology, agricultural methods, art, music and architecture. Monasticism is a way of life in which a group of individuals pursue holiness. It is one of the...
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...What were the criticisms that the humanists made of the Catholic Church? The Catholic Church faced many criticisms from the humanists; the humanists were a group of intellectuals who supported the reform of the church, but did not propose new policies but rather a change to improve he intellectual and moral standards of the clergy. Despite affecting the church and the faith in the church there was not much impact on the ordinary people they were not interested in the corruption within the church providing it I did not affect their everyday worship. Their criticisms affected not only the church but also the followers of the religion, the impact on how it was preached and practised. One of the key criticisms were indulgences, these were pieces of paper signed by the people that could be purchased by the laity, this meant the recipient of the sin was cleansed an often saved their souls. However there was opposition against them as he believed the faith was the only true saviour of their souls. While these were helpful toward the church in the sense that there was an increase popularity of the catholic faith and people saw an escape route to a way to amend their mistakes, it had major negative effects on the church, from the humanists c criticisms, it meant many people saw corruption and truly religious people would have the same views as martin Luther, that only faith could ensure salvation and that it could not be achieved through Christians own effort. This meant that there...
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...Cordia bailey Lot 82 Torrington Park, Kingston 5. Email: linci-bailey@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------- Cell: 372-8752 Objective: To work in an organization where I can effectively and efficiently utilize my talents, Skills and abilities in a professional manner which will aid and steer the organization In achieving its goals and objectives. Education: Sept.2003-2009 Alpha Primary Sept.2009-pending Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’ Qualification: In the process Experience: counter clerk Serve-U-Rite Grain Store July 8- August 23, 2012 * Providing quality customer services * Double checking company stocks and recording Skills & Achievements: Proficient in Communication Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel Form captain – CMA Alpha (2009-2010) Student Mentor - CMA Alpha (2010-2011) Professional Highlights: Hard Working, dedicated and trustworthy Good aptitude and interpersonal skills Excellent...
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...To What extent did Luther’s challenge to the Catholic Church change in the years 1517-1521? During the period of 1517-1521, Luther’s challenge and also his views towards the Catholic Church went through a series of changes. In chronological these are the main reasons why I think his evolution in ideas occurred: Luther being threatened by Cardinal Cajetan; Luther being questioned by Eck in Leipzig; His publishing of his 3 books in 1520 and his attendance at the Diet of Worms in 1921. On the 31st October 1517 Luther’s publishing of the The 95 theses was the backdrop to his challenge to the church and is what got everybody’s attention, in mainly focused in on the selling of indulgences was wrong (would not guarantee your entry to heaven and also morally wrong) and that sole fide (faith alone) would get a soul into heaven. Despite this was the first time his views had been published, there was no distinct change to his views it was only the fact that Johann Tetzel’s selling of indulgences in Germany had contributed to him publishing the 95 theses. However this was the first time his ‘Challenge’ to the Catholic Church was made to the mass public, which is very significant. Following on from his 95 theses, the Threats from Cardinal Cajetan and the debate with Johann Eck were the first real responses from the Catholic Church and a chance for Luther to show what he believed in. In 1518 Luther had been instructed to go to Rome to withdraw his theses but he refused and so the Pope sent...
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...Final Essay HIST103 Assignments 2000 Word Essay (Summative) “What were the sources from which the early Church drew its impulse towards mission, and how did they structure their identity and communities to impact the world with the Gospel? In this essay I am going to discuss the motivating factors and forces that activated the passion and desire of the early church Christians. The sources I will dwell on are Scripture and religious experiences even though they are also other factors which were involved. The historical evidence of the input of the early church cannot be under rated or taken lightly as they touched the world with the Gospel. I will also dwell on some of the sources which they drew their motivation towards mission and how they structured it. The commonly held sources are scripture, tradition, revelation, reason and experience. These are impossible to fully isolate one from the other scripture has originated from reasoned understandings of things revealed to humans by God, nature or experience and has been documented in light of pre-existent traditions that have developed by interpreting earlier events. Our sources of theology deserve the same scrutiny, for many of the same reasons, as our worldviews. The commonly held sources of scripture, tradition, revelation, reason and experience are impossible to fully separate one from another. Scripture has resulted from reasoned understandings of things revealed to humans by God, nature or experience and has been recorded...
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...In the contemporary dispute over homosexuality within the Church, how and in what balance can the Anglican three-legged stool of Scripture, tradition and reason be used as a starting point for the benefit of the whole Church and gay and lesbian people in particular? The issue of homosexuality is a vital one for all churches. The Anglican Church is one of those that contains proponents on both sides of the argument and one of the ways it has viewed revelation is to see it being arrived at through a three fold cord- Scripture, tradition and reason. The essay’s main concern will be with experience and the dialogue of the interpretive community. This is because in an area of strong disagreement dialogue and the interpreters themselves are the keys to how both Scripture and tradition should be used. Natural law seems to be philosophically dead and yet the naturalness of an act is still used by some as an argument against homosexuality. As for science, it has offered no firm conclusions about why some people are homosexual. Therefore this essay will not cover these areas. SCRIPTURE “Slavery seeks refuge in the Bible only in its last extremity…. Goaded to frenzy in its conflicts with conscience and common sense, … it courses up and down the Bible, ‘seeking rest and finding none.’ The law of love, glowing on every page, flashes through its anguish and despair.” (Theodore Dwight Weld, The Bible Against Slavery: or, An Inquiry into the Genius of the Mosaic System, and the Teaching...
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...biblical Church Discipline 1 Mark Dever Mark Dever is pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. A graduate of Cambridge Universit y, Cambridge, England, he is the author of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church and a recent book on Richard Sibbes. He is a contributing editor to The Founders Journal. Emily Sullivan Oakey was born, educated, and then taught in Albany, New York. As with many other women of the mid-nineteenth century, she spent a good bit of time writing down her thoughts—sometimes as part of a journal, other times as part of articles, very often in poetry. She published many of her articles and poems in daily newspapers and in magazines. As a young woman of twenty-one, perhaps inspired by Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, she wrote a poem about sowing and harvesting. Some twenty-five years later, in 1875, the poem was set to music by Philip Bliss and appeared in print for the first time under the title “What Shall the Harvest Be?”2 The little group of Christians who formed what would become Capitol Hill Baptist Church selected that very song as the first song to be sung in their meetings together, in February of 1878: Sowing the seed by the daylight fair, Sowing the seed by the noonday glare, Sowing the seed by the fading light, Sowing the seed in the solemn night. O, what shall the harvest be? O, what shall the harvest be? Very appropriate words to ring off the bare walls and bare floorboards of the building they met...
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...RESEARCH PAPER “The Theology of the Emerging Church” THEO 510 LUO Dr. Sanders Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Joseph M. Yarbrough November 10, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1 History of the Church……………….……………………………………………………………2 Church Doctrine…………………………………………………………………………………..3 The Emerging Church…………………………………………………………………………….4 Beliefs of the Emerging Church…………………………………………………………………..5 Methodologies of the Emerging Church………………………………………………………….8 Strengths and Weakness of the Emerging Church………………………………………………..9 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….10 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………...12 Introduction Churches all across America are working hard in their attempts to increase the kingdom of God with all kinds of innovative and inspirational ministries. Many of these churches are tuning their worship services to make them more attractive and exciting to reach a new generation. According to George Barna, “Millions of dollars flow from church budgets into events each year in an effort to influence people’s thinking and behavior. Literally billions of dollars are spent every year maintaining, upgrading, and expanding buildings and facilities to provide the space and equipment required for the ministries planned by the church. To appeal to people who have thus far turned a cold shoulder to God, churches and denominations launch sophisticated marketing campaigns that are designed to reposition...
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...Explain why people went to church in 1500? What religion were they?.... ……………………………………page 2 What were the criticisms of the church in the church?............................................................page 3 What did the protestant want..........................page 4 What was henry the VIII’s role in changing the church? What were his problems? …………………page 5 What where henry’s changes in the church? How did they affect people’s lives?................................page 6 Edward VI why did he build on his father’s changes in the church?......................................................page 7 Mary I why did she change the church? What were here changes?................................................. page 8 Elizabeth I how did Elizabeth change the church? How she tried to please everyone?..........................page 9 Conclusion: how did the English Reformation change people’s lives and method of worship?............page 10 Define Reformation? Explain why people went to church in 1500? What religion were they? What were the criticisms of the church in 1500? What did the protestant want? What was hennery VIII’s role changing the church? What were his problems? Who advised him? What action did he take? What were henry’s changes in the church? How did they affect people’s lives? (Monks, Priests, ordinary people) Edward VI why did he build on his father’s changes in the church? What were Edwards’s changes to the church? How were they different...
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...THE KINGDOME FOCUSED CHURCH Kenneth Davie Sr 4/16/2012 Full Name of Student Kenneth D. Davie Student I.D. No: 11-0005240 Course Type: Pastoral leadership Textbook Summary (Verbatim/Seminar Summary/Textbook Summary/Ministry Project/Dissertation) Course Title: The Kingdom Focused Church Course Number: MEC570 Date Submitted: 04/1/13 The kingdom of God is the reign of God in today’s world. This is the truth that Jesus Christ rules over all things and the evidence by God’s super-natural work in the believer and through believers in local churches. When churches focus on the kingdom of God they will and can flourish. Chapter 1: In search of the perfect church. Many may have a vision of the perfect church, but the perfect churches share a number of characteristics. Some are filled with people on fire for Christ who put selfishness, politics, and personal agendas aside for the glory of God and His purpose. They treat their pastors with respect and pay them fairly. They give generously, evangelize tirelessly, and teach truthfully. They are a joy and blessing to every member and visitor, and they serve the communities faithfully. One more thing the perfect churches have in common they do not exist. Every church is imperfect because it is made up of imperfect people, and they will produce imperfect result. Paul reminded the Ephesians that the church was the bride of Christ, and they needed...
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...Church Evaluation Form Not every church will have every ministry. If they do not have a particular ministry, just indicate this in the space provided. Church #1 Name: Christ Fellowship Church #1 Website: http://gochristfellowship.com/ 1. Ministry is…praying for others. a. Does the church have a prayer ministry? What does it look like? A community of prayer called the Traffic Ministry Team. They give you links to get started as well as a form so that they can contact if that is a more comfortable preferance. 2. Ministry is…following Jesus’ example by practicing spiritual mentoring and multiplying. a. Does the church have a strategy for evangelism? Yes, many class room and personal opportunities to participate in many different levels of evangelism, including the Hispanic community. b. Does the church have a strategy for discipleship? Yes, Discipleship is obviously important to this church. c. Briefly describe what they look like. Evangelism opportunities are available, through open invitations to current planned evangelical trips, as well as classes teaching about their trips to come and what their purpose is. Discipleship opportunities are available through extending classes to the Hispanic community, Seniors, providing special events throughout the week. 3. Ministry is…leading small groups. a. Does the church have a small group ministry? What can learn about their small group...
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...The Trinity and The Church Dirk Weber DeVry University The Trinity and The Church In Christianity no discussion of ecclesiology should begin without addressing the nature of the One who gives the church meaning and purpose. It is the Triune God that brings the church; unity of substance, differentiated in personhood that is understood in perichoretic co-activity. The universal church received God’s full self-revelation in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and God’s Holy Spirit communicates that revelation to us even today. To what purpose? It is in the universal Christian church that God creates a matrix of categorical understanding in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. Within that Christian context, the universal church becomes the “Body of Christ” where all people from various Christian movements and denominations come together with the purpose of building a society based on relationship instead of wealth, power and glory. Why did God endure history, transform history, in the first place? The answer goes to the very heart of the Trinitarian relationship; a relationship humanity struggles to explain fully even two millennia after God’s full self-revelation, but humanity begins to understand when the community of faith reflects upon the whole scriptural witness. The passage in the Christian text that most effectively summarizes the relationship between the persons of the Trinity is found in 1 John 4:8, “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8, New International Version). Love...
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...THE RELIGION OF MASCULINITY - Why Men Hate Church CBN.com -- Cliff is a man’s man. On the job he’s known as a go-getter and a very hard worker. He’s a good provider who loves his wife and kids. He’s well respected by his neighbors. Cliff drives a humongous four-wheel-drive pickup. He loves the outdoors and takes every opportunity for a little hunting and fishing. He enjoys a cold beer and a dirty joke. He does not go to church. Ask him why he doesn’t go to church, and he’ll offer up words like boring, irrelevant, and hypocrite. But the real reason Cliff doesn’t go to church is that he’s already practicing another religion. That religion is masculinity. The ideology of masculinity has replaced Christianity as the true religion of men. We live in a society with a female religion and a male religion: Christianity, of various sorts, for women and non-masculine men; and masculinity . . . for men. Cliff practices his religion with a single-mindedness the Pharisees would envy. His work, his hobbies, his entertainment, his follies, his addictions, everything he does is designed to prove to the world he is a man. His religion also demands that he avoid anything that might call his manhood into question. This includes church, because Cliff believes deep in his heart that church is something for women and children, not men. Cliff is not alone. Men have believed this for centuries. In the 1800s, Charles Spurgeon said, “There has got abroad a notion, somehow, that if you become...
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...EVALUATION Not every church will have every ministry. If they do not have a particular ministry, just indicate this in the space provided. Church #1 Name: Saddleback Community Church Church #1 Website: www.saddleback.com 1. Ministry is…praying for others. a. Does the church have a prayer ministry? What does it look like? Saddleback Community Church does have a prayer ministry that is fairly easy to get to. It is located under Care & Help and listed as Prayer Ministry. My only negative belief is that the main page has too much going on with to many other pages from it that it can be distracting and hard to find what you want if you are not sure where to look for it. Otherwise, they Prayer Ministry page itself is great as it is simple and easy to use. They have a simple message about the ministry, a number to call if you need help or to submit a request, and a Prayer request form on the page you can fill out and submit allowing for many different avenues to submit a request to them. 2. Ministry is…following Jesus’ example by practicing spiritual mentoring and multiplying. a. Does the church have a strategy for evangelism? After reviewing the website, you can tell that the ministries are built (including the training offered) around evangelism. However, there is no specific strategy layed out on the website about evangelism for the church. The closest I could find was a reference to Rick Warren’ s book “The Purpose Driven Life”. b. Does the church have a strategy...
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