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The doctrine of the Trinity, considered the core of Christian theology by Trinitarians, is the result of continuous exploration by the church of the biblical data, thrashed out in debate and treatises, eventually formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 in a way they believe is consistent with the biblical witness, and further refined in later councils and writings. [1]
Early Christianity, otherwise called the Early Church or Paleo-Christianity, describes the historical era of the Christian religion up to the First Council of Nicaea in 325. Christianity spread from the Levant , across the Roman Empire , and beyond.
The early Christian apologist Tertullian recorded that footwashing was a regular part of early Christian worship. [154] Footwashing was done with a basin "of water for the saints' feet" and a "linen towel". [151] Being commanded in John 13, footwashing done in the imitation of Jesus was a rite encouraged by Origen. [154]
Christian theology is the theology – the systematic study of the divine and religion – of Christian belief and practice. [1] It concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition. Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis and argument. Theologians may ...
The Cappadocians promoted early Christian theology and are highly respected in both Western and Eastern churches as saints. They were a 4th-century monastic family, led by Macrina the Younger (324–379) to provide a central place for her brothers to study and meditate, and also to provide a peaceful shelter for their mother.
The oldest Christian sources are the writings of Paul. [89] The central Christology of Paul conveys the notion of Christ's pre-existence [53] [54] and the identification of Christ as Kyrios. [90] Both notions already existed before him in the early Christian communities, and Paul deepened them and used them for preaching in the Hellenistic ...
Closely linked to Church history and early Christian doctrine, it analyzes primary sources that shaped Christian theology, including polemical writings, orations, sermons, letters, and poems, as well as systematic treatises on doctrine and works of biblical exegesis and scriptural commentary.
Early Christianity was open to everyone. [51] Baptism was free, and there were no fees, which made Christianity more affordable than traditional Roman models. [52] [53] The religion's inclusivity extended to women, who made up significant numbers of Christianity's earliest members. [54]