The History of the Early Church

In this episode we look back at the past decade of history we've covered. I offer some of my reflections on writing the podcast as well as the martyrs, the Tetrarchy, the rise of Constantine, and the legacy of the Great Persecution. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com FaceBook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast

Constantine confers with Licinius at Milan to cement their alliance and lay down the new imperial policy towards Christianity and religion in the Roman Empire. Meanwhile, the last persecuting emperor Maximinus Daia races westward to crush his rivals, vowing to Jupiter that if he is victorious, he will wipe out the Christian faith.

Despite the Edict of Galerius, his nephew Maximinus Daia refuses to end the Great Persecution. After securing his power base, the emperor of the east launches a cunning campaign to resume the persecution of Christians and discredit their faith with slander and propaganda.

Constantine experiences a vision in the sky assuring him of victory and longevity. Later during the final confrontation with Maxentius in Italy, Constantine has a dream which leads him to re-interpret the vision and look to the Christian God as his divine patron. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com

During the lull in persecution following the Conference of Carnuntum, the Meletian Schism breaks out in Egypt, while in Palestine controversy erupts over the theology of Origen of Alexandria. Nevertheless the Great Persecution is soon resumed as the Fifth Edict is issued in order to revitalize paganism and marginalize Christians from society. However, just as Galerius prepares to celebrate his Vicennalia, he is struck by a horrific disease, eventually leading him to reconsider his persecution of Christians.

The accessions of Constantine and then Maxentius lead to an official end to the Great Persecution in the western provinces. However peace continues to elude both Church and State. Maxentius' usurpation triggers a civil war while factional violence erupts within the Churches of Rome and Africa. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com

The succession of the second Tetrarchy grants the eastern Christians a respite from the Great Persecution. However, it is not long before Galerius and his new Caesar Maximinus Daia resume the persecution and introduce new harsher methods of enforcement and punishment in the process. Meanwhile the seeds of schism are sown in the Church of Egypt by the controversial activities of the new bishop of Lycopolis. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com

The Great Persecution takes a much different course in the Western Roman Empire. While Christians in Gaul and Britain remain relatively unaffected, Christians in Italy, Spain, and especially Africa suffer greatly. These events will sow the seeds of bitter schisms among the western churches. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com

The Great Persecution begins with Diocletian’s series of anti-Christians edicts, culminating in the command for all his subjects to offer sacrifice.

As the third century gave way to the fourth, tensions between the early Church and traditional paganism culminated in the emperor Diocletian’s decision to launch the Great Persecution against Christianity...

This podcast is about telling a detailed narrative of the history of the early Church from its founding to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. Covering Christianity in and outside the Roman Empire, the Apostles, Bishops, Saints, Heretics, Ascetics, and Martyrs of the early Church. This episode offers a recap of the past three centuries for both current and new listeners, as well as a precap for the upcoming episodes.

We finally conclude the First Three Centuries series with our Questions and Answer episode!

In this episode we discuss some of the primary and secondary sources I've used in doing my research for the podcast thus far.

In this episode we look at the inner life of the early Church c. 300 A.D., including church buildings, conversion, baptism, worship, and clergy.

In this episode we continue our "First Three Centuries" Series by examining the religious groups outside the early Church around the year 300 A.D.