The New Testament
A Historical and Theological Introduction
Chapter
33. The Tendencies of 鈥淓arly Catholicism鈥
Questions for Review
- How did the deaths of the Apostles and the first generations of Christians affect the elasticity of the early church鈥檚 doctrines and practices?
- What kind of baggage does the phrase 鈥渆arly catholicism鈥 carry with it?
- Where can the traits of incipient early catholicism be found most readily in the NT?
- Very briefly list and identify the chief elements found in incipient early catholicism, as presented in the chapter.
- What does the phrase regula fidei mean and what does it have to do with early catholicism?
- Discuss in some detail how the role of the Holy Spirit seemed to change within the life of the church over time.
- Describe the development of the church鈥檚 eschatology throughout the first century.
- What major threats during the second century helped move the church toward incipient early catholicism?
- What is meant by the phrase 鈥渃anon within the canon鈥 and what does it have to do with early catholicism?
- What aspects of incipient early catholicism are valuable to the church?