CH102: Early Church Fathers

Between AD 90 and 250, the early Christian church transitioned from a period of apostolic leadership to a structured system governed by bishops. These sources describe how believers navigated intense Roman persecution and internal threats from heretical movements like Gnosticism and Ebionism. To protect core doctrines, early leaders known as Church Fathers established the New Testament canon, formulated ecumenical creeds, and centralized local authority. The texts highlight influential figures such as Polycarp and Ignatius, whose martyrdoms served as powerful testimonies that strengthened the faith. Ultimately, this era was defined by a shift toward systematic theology and the formalization of church practices to ensure institutional survival in a pagan world.