“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1: 14. The verse that has inspired and bewildered Christians for centuries. Since its occurrence, church members and theologians have marveled at the principle of the Incarnation. How could God, perfect, sinless, unable to suffer, become sinful, corruptible flesh, and suffer ultimate punishment for the sins of man? This is the same question that puzzled many early church fathers, and the one that most potently effected Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. It led to intense church controversy, leaving Cyril a legacy and a reputation still impressed upon him today, and leaving another church leader disgraced in the depths of heresy. But before studying Cyril’s main theological conflict, one must first understand the circumstances and experiences that lead him to that point. When Cyril was born in 376 AD, he would not be the first member of his family to become a significant leader in the early church. His own uncle, Theophilus, was the Pope of Alexandria at the time, predecessor to Cyril. Cyril finally did take over leadership, despite the opinions of some area politicians (Litfin, 2007), at a turbulent time in Christianity, both in Alexandria and around the Christian world. Growing dissention and violence were rearing their heads between Christian and pagan leaders, and amongst different groups within the church itself. In a sad blemish on his legacy, Cyril did not end this tradition. Soon after coming to power, he proceeded to drive out the Jewish population from Alexandria. Not much later, his followers murdered a popular Neo-Platonist philosopher named Hypatia, stirring up intense controversy between opposing religious sects of the city (Butler, 2003). These controversies would sev... ... middle of paper ... ...e from Cyril is not limited to his writings and theology, however. A careful look at the cause and effect of some of his actions can also yield useful knowledge that pertains to carrying out the Christian life. Bibliography Butler, A. (2003). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Collegevile, MN: Liturgical Press. Cyril. (c. 429). Epistle to Nestorious. Cyril. (c. 429). XII Anathematisms Against Nestorious. Cyril. (n.d.). On the Unity of Christ. Gonzalez, J. L. (1970). A History of Christian Thought: From the beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. Litfin, B. M. (2007). Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press. McGuckin, J. A. (1995). On the Unity of Christ/ Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. Nestorious. (c. 429). Anathematisms Against Cyril.
This demonstrates that although bishops search for honorable qualities in man, an improved system needs to be put in place for the appointment of bishops. Other bishops can provide untrustworthy accounts of candidates, which can lead to an incorrect appointment of bishops. Christianity needs a more fitting structure and Sidonius demonstrates that
· Lewis, CS. Mere Christianity. New York: Doubleday, 1982. · McBride, David. The Story of the Church.
Francis of Assisi is one of the most influential personalities in the entire world. In the book ‘Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life,’ Cunningham recounts the life of this humble monk who lived in the medieval times, and shaped the Christian life, which spread in Western culture throughout the rest of history. I believe Cunningham accurately accounts for the life of Francis of Assisi, and in doing so; he provides a trajectory of the Christian faith from its early and historical proponents through its fusion with western culture, and its subsequent spread throughout the world.
Athanasius was a small man of stature and very dark complected. It is believed that Athanasius belonged to a small group of people named the Copts. He spoke Coptic and he was also dark complected as were the Copts. Many sources state that he was called the “black dwarf” by his adversaries. If these accounts are true than that would make Athanasius a member of the lower classes of Egypt. In his young years he would often visit monks in the desert where he received instruction in theological matters. He may have been a student of St. Anthony.
Jenkins, Phillips. The Lost History of Christianity. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print. Phillips, Jonathan.
The. Print. The. Drane, John William. A.S.A. Early Christians. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1982.
The Story of Christianity is a very informative summation; a continuation of Volume 1 which covered the beginning of the church up to the Protestant Reformation, while Vol. 2 dealt with the Protestant Reformation up to more modern time period. This author delivers a more comprehensive and deeper look into the development of Christianity, which includes particular events which had transpired throughout the world; particularly how Christianity has expanded into Central and South America. Gonzalez opens up this book with the “Call for Reformation,” where he shares with his readers the need for reform; the papacy had started to decline and was corrupt, in addition to the Great Schism, which had further weakened the papacy (p.8). The author explains how the church was not the only issue but that the church’s teachings were off track as well, seeing that the people had deviated from...
White, L. Michael. "Paul: His Life and Significance." White, L. Michael. From Jesus to Christianity. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. 143-168. Print.
Church History in Plain Language is written by Bruce L. Shelley. This work focuses on the history of Christianity from 6 B.C. to the current period. It covers some of Christianity’s greatest events, theologians, and the various subsection of Christianity. Other than the events leading up to the death of Jesus, I had very little knowledge of Christianity’s history. After reading through the book, I have gained understanding on the Christian Councils, scholasticism, Christendom, and modern trends of Christianity.
Johnson, Rev. George, Rev. Jerome D. Hannan, and Sister M. Dominica. The Story of the Church: Her Founding, Mission and Progress; A Textbook in Church History. Rockford: Tan Book and Publishers Inc., 1980.
...s distributed in Theology 101 at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle on 22 April 2008.
Vogelpoel, Neroth Van. "The Context Surrounding the Nestorian Controversy." The Church of the First Five Centuries. 23 Nov. 2006. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. .
Lane, T. (2006). A concise history of christian thought (Completely ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
This paper will expose what controversies he was involved in throughout his theological career; why and how he is considered to be a key figure in the development of Christianity; and what insights
Bainvel, Jean. The New Catholic Encyclopedia. New York City: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm (accessed September 23, 2011).