Origen Of Alexandria's Intellectual Framework Of The Christian Faith

The central theme behind Origen’s theory is that the scripture should not be interpreted literally, instead, a deeper

Here, Origen is implying that Gregory should the natural intelligence “the entire natural intelligence of Gregory’ intelligence should be applied to Christianity”. Origen tries to reconcile Philosophy and Theology but above all “placing Theology in a superior position as he gives all the priority to Christianity” throughout his letter. The quote from Adolf Knauber coincides with the reason for Origen’ cautioning and passionate pleading with Gregory when he implies: “that he should extract from philosophy only what is essential, to have a better understanding to interpret Scripture”. “Working from the data provided by Gregory in the Address, Adolf Knauber arrived at the significantly different picture: the students were not Christians or even

Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, also referred to as Athanasius the Great, led Alexandria as the twentieth bishop for forty-five years during the fourth century. Although Athanasius is regarded as serving as bishop for almost fifty years, the saint spent over seventeen of those years in exile for various reasons. A renowned Christian theologian, Athanasius was known for his defense of the Trinity, and his deep-rooted hatred for Arius and his followers, the Arians. Around 356, after Athanasius was almost arrested during a vigil service, he decided to flee to Upper Egypt. During his time spent there, he completed his most notable work Four Orations Against the Arians. The text brings up a variety of claims that the Arians make, and Athanasius’s responses to their so-called heretical nature. Although Athanasius uses Scriptural evidence to argue against the Arians, his writing style is cruel and belittling: an inappropriate way for a leader to address the people of the Empire. After reading a great deal of Athanasius’s own works, as well as texts concerning the role of Athanasius throughout the fourth century, it has become evident that St. Athanasius of Alexandria impacted the Trinitarian Controversy most significantly through his noteworthy orations, his role at the Council of Nicaea, and most importantly, his commitment to the betterment of the Catholic Church.

Irenaeus of Lyon was a very influential theologian during the second century. From his defining works changing Christians views on Gnosticism, to his letters concerning Roman priest and controversial topics, Irenaeus began to change the view of Christianity.

The Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, and Martin Luther have been three very important figures in the Christian church. Each went through a unique personal experience that changed the course of their lives. Those experiences were important to them and they should be important to anyone of the Christian faith. In this research paper I will explore these experiences and how they do and do not relate to each other.

The religious contributions of the early fathers of the Coptic Church have remained unnoticed and sometimes have been ascribed to the Greeks, until the relatively recent rediscovery of the Copts and their heritage. During the first four or five centuries of our era, Egypt produced some of the most illustrious names in Christian annals. Men such as Origen, Athanasius, Cyril the Great, St. Anthony, St. Pachomius, Shenute the Great, and many more have left their mark on the history of Christian civilization both within and outside

Because the “Father is regarded as existing before the Son,” Arius believes that the Son is a creature. Arius did rank the Son differently out of all other creatures. Arius regards the Son by saying, “a perfect creature, yet not as one among other creature; a begotten being, yet not as one among other begotten beings.” It is said that, “the consequences of this viewpoint were critiqued by many at the time,” and also that his views were known, “through the writings of his opponents.”

Thomas Torrance examines the thinking found within the Christian Frame of Mind in both theology and science. His first chapter examines the various influences upon the Greek Christian mind and how it influenced theology and science and the study of both within Christianity. His discussion evolves as it rests finally on the nature of theology and science as it interrelates within a university setting.

Irenaeus, born 130-202, was one of the early apologists that defended Christianity against Greco-Roman paganism and against Judaism; they also sought to protect it from modification and heresies. He was born Smyrna, which was an ancient city in Turkey. Irenaeus was the pupil of Polycarp, who in turn was supposed to be a disciple of John the Apostle. Irenaeus became the Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul (modern Lyons, France). In 177, Pothinus, the Bishop of Lyons, sent Irenaeus on a mission to Rome, however during Irenaeus absence severe persecutions of bishops broke out in Lyons. In 190 or 191, Irenaeus negotiated with Pope Victor to lift the sentence of excommunication laid by that pontiff upon the Christian communities of Asia Minor which persevered in the practice of the Quartodecimans in regard to the celebration of Easter. Irenaeus is

The controversial figure of St Paul is credited with writing thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament; thus making him one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age and in the development of the early Christian faith. Paul’s letters are some of the earliest Christian documents discovered dating to approximately 50 AD, whereas the scholarly consensus for the dating of the gospels is between 70 AD and 90 AD. Therefore, Paul’s thirteen letters reveal the earliest teachings about Jesus and the Christian faith; in particular Paul’s letter to the Romans expresses the fullest statement of how salvation in Christ is achieved (Wansbrough, 2011, P247). Thus, this essay will primarily focus on Romans and the extent it concurs with the Gospel according to Luke. In doing this, the essay will also analyse whether Paul’s letters rely on the narrative of Luke’s gospel. The overall message Paul preaches in his thirteen letters is we can be saved through Jesus’ actions, but only if we follow his teachings. However, the argument is can this message be fully understood by Christians without Luke’s gospel? Additionally, this paper will attempt to show how Paul’s preaching has altered or remained the same throughout time.

By the time of the third century theologian, Origen, the concept of God as espoused by Greek philosophers’ prevailed in the then current Christian theology.

St. Augustine was a theologian and philosopher born in Africa to St. Monica. Although he is now known as a an incredibly influential Christian writer and thinker, his early years were defined by rebellion and discord that did not, in the least, reflect Christianity or the values that he is now known for supporting. His early years were freckled with mindless disobedience, wretched behavior, and characterized godlessness that makes his conversion to the faith incredibly remarkable and one that is worth defining in Saint Augustine 's Confessions. His incredible turnaround from a faithless man to a devout supporter of Christianity is significant and is freckled with many major milestones that truly demonstrate his spiritual and internal growth into one of the biggest spiritual icons of the fifth century. These major milestones include his realization that his boyhood was defined by pointless rebellious behavior, even though he grew up in a Christian home, his new found appreciation for philosophy as well as God and his incredible mercy during his years as a student at Carthage,

Before submitting himself to God, Augustine lived a life controlled by various sinful tendencies such as theft and lust. Surrounded by strong believers of Catholicism, such as his mother, St. Monica, Augustine grew up questioning Christ and the faith and rather explored other religions. Two religions that Augustine devoted himself to were Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. While both religions had strengths and flaws, neither truly satisfied Augustine’s spiritual emptiness. Before devoting himself fully to the Catholic faith, Augustine is seen as an honorable saint because of the significance of his works and teachings. Augustine’s conversion from Manichaeism to Neoplatonism to Catholicism as noted through Confessions, transformed his life from being powered by sin and immortality to a life dominated by rectitude and devotion.

It seems strange that so little is known biographically about one of the most important figures in Christian history, but this only serves to add to the mystery and grandeur surrounding the Apostle Paul of Tarsus. Much, however, is known of the time after his conversion to Christ and what he did to contribute to Christianity in this period, and it is this that leaves a greater legacy than the simple facts of his life. The contributions that he made towards the cause of Christ and the spreading and formation of Christianity are what he is perennially remembered for.

The Patristic Era saw various controversies arising over the nature of Jesus Christ, which consequently lead to the establishment of the creed as an attempt to reject the heretical views held by proponents. An example of a heretical advocate is Arius, who suggested Christ was inferior to God, but still above other creatures (McGrath, 2001, p.358). However, early orthodox theologians disputed this idea due to the soteriological complications that accompanied it (Young, 2010, p.55). The central advocator of this dispute was Athanasius, who questioned how Arius’ belief allowed for salvation through Jesus Christ, which is a key orthodox belief identified