CH103: Persecution and Heresy

How the growing church survived attacks from without and within. A detailed examination of early church history, specifically focusing on the era of imperial persecution and the emergence of theological controversies between AD 64 and 420. The records trace the transition from intense state-led oppression under emperors like Decius and Diocletian to the eventual legalization of the faith under Constantine. Central to the narrative are the efforts of early apologists and theologians, such as Origen, Tertullian, and Athanasius, who defended core doctrines against internal heresies like Arianism and Gnosticism. The texts also highlight the formalization of Christian belief through the Nicene Creed and the rise of the monastic movement in the desert. Furthermore, the provided charts illustrate the development of church leadership and the historical process of solidifying the New Testament canon. Overall, the sources chronicle how the early church established its structural and doctrinal foundations while enduring external violence and internal debate.