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Early Christianity, 2006.
A review of early Christianity and a discussion regarding how it helped to shape the Christianity of today.
5,706 words (approx. 22.8 pages), 20 sources, MLA, £ 81.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the factors that were responsible for the formation of Christianity, particularly in the context of Orthodoxy and Heresy. In other words, the paper discusses how Christianity became Christianity as seen through the lenses of Orthodoxy and Heresy. The research explores several defining moments in the history of Christianity including proto-orthodox and the boundary markers that enabled the proto-orthodox to prevail and become the dominant religion of the empire from the first through the fourth century.
Outline:
Introduction
Proto-Orthodox
Heretical Text and Heretical Doctrines
The Rule of Faith and Apostolic Succession
Gender
The Appeal to Jewish Antiquity
Future Research
Conclusion
From the Paper
"In addition to docetic theologies there were other theologies that emerged and were deemed to be heretical by the proto-orthodoxy. Among these was the adoptionists theology. This particular theology asserted that Jesus was a man but he was not divine. They also asserted that Jesus was adopted by God as his son (Grant). Those that held this view asserted that there were church traditions that solidified this view but just what these church traditions were differed greatly from that of proto-orthodox Christians (Grant). Adoptionists also claimed that all Christian held the aforementioned doctrine. However proto-orthodox Christians argued that the doctrine of the adoptionists was in opposition to scriptures (Grant). They also asserted that Christian apologists and anti-heretical authors had throughout history, declared that Jesus was God or that Jesus was both God and Man (Grant). In addition both hymns and psalms that were written from the beginning of time describe Christ as the Logos and describe him as God (Grant). "
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The Success of Early Christianity, 2005.
Examines why the Christian religion flourished in the Roman Empire in the first three centuries CE.
725 words (approx. 2.9 pages), 2 sources, APA, £ 14.95
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Abstract
Christianity was one of the many different religions competing for the attention of people of the Roman Empire during the first three centuries CE. The paper shows that its growth during this time was extraordinary, and by the early part of the fourth century CE, it would become the official religion of the Roman Empire. The paper shows that this growth can be accredited to several different facets of the religion: its universal acceptance of all people regardless of their pasts, the strong sense of community within its congregations, its duty to care for the weak, sick and needy, and the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus. The paper shows that, when combined with the great demographic shifts that were occurring in the Roman Empire, it is much easier to understand the extreme growth of the early Christian church.
From the Paper
"Another appealing aspect of early Christianity was the strong sense of community within its congregations. With the Roman Empire newly established, and the Romans being tolerant of different religious customs, many new immigrant groups moved into the area. Similar to any new group of individuals in a society, their goal was acceptance into the Roman society, to find a sense of belonging. Acceptance into the Christian church meant acceptance into a close-knit community."
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The Early Christian Church, 2002.
This paper discusses the theological errors of the early Christian church.
2,900 words (approx. 11.6 pages), 1 source, £ 63.95
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Abstract
This paper consists of four papers, each dealing with a part of Justo Gonzalez's ?The Story of Christianity?, Volume1: ?The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation?.
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Early Christian Mission, 2008.
A look at the history of the Christian Mission.
8,461 words (approx. 33.8 pages), 14 sources, MLA, £ 106.95
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Abstract
This thesis discusses the subject of Christian missions throughout the world. It is divided into four chapters, beginning with the world situation before the birth of the mission, continuing with the early missionary activities and early Christian persecutions. The author provides a clear explanation of how the early Christians and missionaries were persecuted under the different emperors and the rapid growth of the Christianity in spite of all the persecutions. Finally he explains the relevance that the early missions have today.
Outline:
Introduction
The World Situation before the Birth of the Mission
Starting Point for the Mission and Early Missionary Activities
Early Christian Persecutions
From the Paper
"The Church came into existence in the world with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "When the fullness of time was come", St. Paul writes, "God sent his Son, born of a woman, that he might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of the sons" (Gal. 4: 4-6). Thus early Christian mission involved in the person of Jesus. The early Christian community owed to the disciples; Easter experience, the experience of the risen Lord, for its mission. If we observe carefully, we can understand that Easter is the point of connection between ministry of Jesus and the mission of his followers. We should not forget that Church and mission were synonyms. The early community lived through mission and for mission. Every early Christian promoted the cause of mission either by word or by the example. The chief agents of the spread of the Christian faith were not professional missionaries who made it a living, but men and women involved in ordinary life."
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Qumran, Early Christians, and Early Rabbinic Judaism, 1999.
Examines these three major religious groups, major beliefs and the use of canonical scripture.
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 8 sources, £ 66.95
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Abstract
Although fundamentalists in religious life assert that the answers to all human problems are available in inerrant scriptural form, there is still the problem of interpretation. From the beginning, differing stories, differing translations, and differing interpretations of scripture have led to the development of separate communities and sects within communities.
From the Paper
"Research on Qumran, Early Christians, and Early Rabbinic Judaism
Introduction
Although fundamentalists in religious life assert that the answers to all human problems are available in inerrant scriptural form, there is still the problem of interpretation. From the beginning, differing stories, differing translations, and differing interpretations of scripture have led to the development of separate communities and sects within communities. The intent in this essay is to look at three separate groups the Qumran community, the Early Christians and Early Rabbinic Judaism exploring their major beliefs and their use of canonical scripture."
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Early Christian Art, 2002.
A paper which examines how paintings were used to educate people about the teachings of Christianity.
807 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 16.95
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Abstract
Early Christian art rarely tries to represent reality as is. This art is characterized by religious symbolism and its purpose is to portray the spiritual world, rather than depict three-dimensional figures. The paper examines how the beliefs of early Christians were reflected in their art. Originally, pagan art contained gods and heroes, but in their place emerged the Christian figures who dominated art for nearly a thousand years. The paper explores how these religious messages were depicted through images of golden halos, in architectural designs, miniature scriptures and supernatural symbols.
From the Paper
"In early Christian art there are often personifications of the sun and moon, which were drawn from pagan imagery, but also came to represent the relationship between the old testament (the moon), which could only be understood in light of the new testament (the sun). Art often focused on the supernatural, and the paintings were rich in symbolic meaning. Radiant colors, suspended angels, and detailed symbols were the motifs used to represent the supernatural. Many early Christian masters were monks and craftsmen. In AD 533, reincarnation was declared a heresy by the Council of Constantinople; before then, reincarnation could be depicted in art as well."
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Early Christian Persecution, 2005.
This paper evaluates Christian persecution under the Roman Empire from the first until the third century.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, £ 20.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses some aspects of the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire in the first through third centuries. The paper mainly focuses on the Martyrdom of Polycarp and other writings by Palestinian Bishop Eusebius who wrote in the early fourth century. The paper discusses the persecutions as desperate measures for a declining empire.
From the Paper
"The history of the early Christian Church is complex and multinational, with key events taking place all around the world in the first three centuries of its existence. As is to be expected, one of the most important locations was Palestine, but there were also significant events in northern Africa, Rome and what is today parts of Turkey. The introduction of Christianity was often met with violence and persecution in these areas and this paper will examine some of the elements of the persecutions in the first through the third centuries. Through the Church history of Eusebius of Caesarea, and related secondary sources, we will investigate the changes in Christian persecution in these times and places. Eusebius was probably born in Palestine while it was under Roman rule, in approximately 260AD and wrote into the fourth century, assuming he died around 340."
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"The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation", 2006.
A comprehensive review of the book by Justo L. Gonzalez, "The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation".
1,523 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 29.95
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Abstract
This is a comprehensive book review of Justo L. Gonzalez, "The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation". The author tells us how Gonzalez's book relates very clearly the details of the disagreement that took place in 325 C.E. The author starts by telling us that the emperor Constantine called around 300 bishops to the Asia Minor city of Nicea, with the primary objective of settling a heated debate that had arisen in Alexandria some time earlier. The author tells us that Gonzalez's book is an examination of the arguments that took place and the personalities involved. He looks at both sides of the arguments that are presented and highlights how this has affected modern day church thinking. But, in conclusion, the author reminds us that it is important to remember that the Christian search is a search for the objective, absolute truth of God.
From the Paper
"In reply to the possible objection that the term 'Godhead' signifies a nature and not an action, Gregory argues that the indivisibility of the nature makes the claim that God is Three nonsensical. A nature is an immaterial thing without "bodily appearance, and size, and place, and difference in figure and colour...That which is not thus circumscribed is not enumerated, and that which is not enumerated cannot be contemplated in multitude." In other words, it makes no sense to say that God's nature, which is an immaterial concept, has the number three, much as it would make no sense to say that human nature has a color."
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The Christian vs Non-Christian Approach., 2006.
A review of Christian and Non-Christian solutions to social problems.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, £ 20.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the concept of social problems and how they are perceived and dealt with differently by Christians and non-Christians. The types of problems this paper discusses include substance abuse and domestic violence. Both of these subjects are viewed very similarly by modern Christians as well as non-Christians, although historically this was not always the case.
From the Paper
"There are many social problems that plague western society, from alcoholism to serious drug abuse, from teen pregnancy to spousal battery. For as many problems as we have, there are a variety of causes and solutions that have been presented. One way of categorizing the types of solutions offered are as Christian and as non-Christian. It would take volumes to fully list and describe all of the social problems and the multitudinous solutions offered by Christians and non-Christians alike, so only a few will get attention here."
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Christian and Non-Christian Religions, 2002.
Compares differences and some similarities in ritual and belief in non-Christian (African) and Christian (Baptist) religion.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, £ 13.95
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Abstract
Compares differences and some similarities in ritual & belief in non-Christian (African) and Christian (Baptist) religion. Examines the cultural differences related to these religions for Africans and African-Americans. Historical Baptist ties to slavery. Imposition of Christianity on slaves. Nature of worship. Survival of African religioius spirit and experience in religioius beliefs of African Americans in the U.S.
From the Paper
"There are important differences in ritual and belief between the non-Christian religion (African) described in Marimba Ani's Let the Circle Be Unbroken and the Christian religion (Baptist) described in Albert J. Raboteau's Slave Religion. The most obvious difference is that the Baptist religion has Jesus Christ at its center as God in human form, while the African religions had a number of gods. However, the greatest difference is found in the cultural differences related to those religions. The African religion is a part of a cultural tradition reaching far back in the history of Africans and African-Americans. The African religion symbolizes freedom and independence. The Baptist religion, on the other hand, symbolizes, at least in part, a brief history tied in with slavery and dependence on a culture which was foreign to Africans. In part, the Baptist religion was ..."
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Christian Attempts to Convert Jews to Christianity, 2007.
An overview of historical and modern attempts at conversion.
1,630 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 7 sources, APA, £ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper focuses on the attempts of Christians to convert Jews, including an analysis of their successes and failures. Much of the information available on conversion attempts has focused on historical efforts at converting the Jews to Christianity. As such the primary emphasis of this document includes an overview of historical efforts at conversion. In modern society, most Christian faiths - including those that once persecuted the Jews with much enthusiasm - have focused their efforts on causes other than conversion. Still, even in contemporary society there is evidence that certain faiths, the Baptist faith in particular, still believes they have a moral obligation to convert the remaining population of Jews to Christianity. Their attempts, successes and failures in this respect are explored in the second half of this analysis.
From the Paper
"Other attempts have been made by the Evangelical church to convert Jews to Christianity, or to suppress the rights of Jews and the Jewish faith (Wikipedia, 2005). This trend began in early history, with Charles Semeon of the Evangelical church stating that the efforts at conversion including daily prayers for the conversion of Jews were as much a part of Christianity and "the finest flower of Evangelicalism" (Ragussis, 4). The Evangelicals have often been cited as agreeing with the Southern Baptist Convention, which suggests that it is the duty of Christians to continue in their attempts to convert Jews (Wikipedia, 2005)."
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Christian Martyrdom, 2006.
This paper discusses the lives and tribulations of early Christians martyrs during and after Christian persecution.
1,060 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that canonization of sainthood for a Christian in antiquity was achieved either by living piously and being recognized as a holy person within the church after natural death or by leading a virtuous life though the Christian faith and consequentially being killed for those beliefs, which is known as becoming a martyr. The author points out that the early Christians were mainly martyred because of their refusal to perform actions that contradicted a Christian lifestyle and violated church doctrines such as St. Perpetua. The paper relates that, throughout the stories of the martyr's lives and the lives of the Desert Fathers, the essential designs are similar: The pious lifestyle leads to sainthood and heaven.
From the Paper
"In 303CE, the Emperor of Rome issued an edict, which called for the destruction of churches, the burning of scripts and the arrests and eventual deaths of Christians. The reason for the edict was not because of ritual wrong-doing, but to reorder the hierarchy of the population of Rome. The Christian faith had started to spread at a phenomenal rate (at one point reaching to almost 25% of the population of Rome), and started to threaten the bureaucratic stability. Using the provisions already in place, Diocletian used his military power to reorder the Roman socio-economic class to his liking."
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A History of Christianity, 2005.
This paper presents the history of Christianity, emphasizing art history, in a thumbnail sketch of each period.
3,740 words (approx. 15.0 pages), 6 sources, APA, £ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Christian art, evolving along with the church, began in the Near East, which was a vast religious and cultural melting pot where all the competing faiths, including Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism and many others, tended to influence each other. The author points out that the oldest sizeable and coherent body of Christian art, which can be traced to no earlier than 200 AD, is the painted murals in the Roman catacombs and the underground burial places of the Christians. The paper relates that the halo around Jesus' head stems from pagan artists, who used a halo, usually of a gold color, to mark the chief of men and women in their pictures, and from the Romans, who associated it with the cult of light as a special gift from God. Chart. List of illustrations but no illustrations.
Table of Contents
The Early Christian Church - The Jews and the Greeks
Byzantine Art
The Christian Empire
Nuns, Monks, and Priests
Saints and Martyrs
The Virgin Mary
The Halo
The Conversion of the Northern Tribes
The Celts
The English
The Saxons
The Holy Roman Emperor
East Rome
Church of St. Sophia
The Icons, the Iconostasis, and Iconoclasm
Icons
Iconostasis
Iconoclasm
The Mystics
The Effect of Islam
A Comparison of Christianity East and West
Early Christian vs. Byzantine Art
Western Society in the Middle Ages
Popes
Society and Religion
Hell and Purgatory
Gothic Cathedrals and Stain Glass Windows
The Renaissance
Exploration
The Reformation
The Modern Age
From the Paper
"The first celibates in the early Christian church were women who lived lives of chastity and cleaned church buildings. These women also helped tend the sick. Many spiritually oriented celibate males started as hermits but eventually these men grouped together, elected an abbot, and agreed to abide by a set of rules. These first nuns and monks were called Benedictines. Priests were allowed to marry in the early church but the idea of a celibate priesthood was raised as early as 324 AD (Council of Nicene) but this was unenforceable. In the early church, a man could marry before he became a priest and still become a priest. He could not marry if he became a priest before marrying. The ideal of the totally celibate priesthood was not enforceable until the 11th Century. A man who wanted to become a bishop was not allowed to be married.
In the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, priests still are allowed to marry before taking final vows."
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"Franciscan Beginnings in Early Colonial Peru", 2002.
A brief review of the book "Franciscan Beginnings in Early Colonial Peru" by Antonine Tibesar which provides an account of the Franciscans? role in converting the native population of Peru to Christianity.
916 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 0 sources, £ 19.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Tibesar, basing his work on primary sources wherever possible, asserts that although the Franciscan Order was by no means the primary religious order in colonial Peru, the Franciscans successfully integrated the Indians into Spanish culture. The paper describes the contents of the book as well as the type of sources used.
From the Paper
"The author constantly admits that there is a dearth of documentary materials written by religious persons of the sixteenth century. Rather, most documents were written by military personnel or conquistadors. Rather than become discouraged by this lack of source material, Tibesar works closely with the materials provided to him by the Franciscan Order in modern Peru. The focus for the book is specifically on the Franciscan Order, but by necessity Tibesar places the Order in social, political, and historical context in order to provide an accurate account of its role in sixteenth century Peru. Tibesar notes that the Franciscan Order contended with frequent clashes of interest with Spanish authorities, both religious and secular, in their attempts to convert the Indians. For the Franciscan, Christian spirituality and way of life were far more important than establishing organized bodies of governance in New Spain. Therefore, the friars basically remained true to their ideals of Christianity."
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