Crises in the Early Church:

Crises in the Early Church:

Delay of the Parousia (‘second coming’)

First generation of the followers of Jesus expected the imminent return of Christ
Shift in theology from being apocalyptic to the development of an ecclesiology
Shift from the focus on the coming of the Kingdom of God (i.e., the message of Jesus), to the significance of Jesus as the Christ (i.e., the person of Jesus)
Apostle Paul

Destruction of the Temple – 70 CE

Jewish political rebellion that ended in the retaliation by the Roman Empire; Jewish community scattered, no more central place of worship and authority
Widened the already growing divide between the Jews and the Christian movement within Judaism
Beginning point of real threat of persecution towards Christians
Gospels of Matthew and Luke

Edict of Milan – 313 CE

Constantine’s ‘conversion’ to Christianity in 312 CE
Declaration of toleration towards Christians throughout Roman Empire
Transformation of Christianity as a persecuted sect within the empire, to favored status
The Monastic response
Series of Ecumenical Councils convened for the purpose of uniting the Empire by means of Christianity – development and refinement of orthodoxy motivated by politics
The Nicene Creed; the Arian controversy

Fall of Rome – 410 CE

Earthly security of a protected Empire has collapsed
Church of Rome now fills vacuum of power
Beginnings of the Papal monarchy
Beginnings of the creation of a ‘Christian culture’ and a ‘Christian civilization’
Augustine of Hippo