Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
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Traditions
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How to read the tradition strip
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Identical Convergent Partial Divergent Opposed Unknown
Ante-Nicene · AD 100–200
3 records
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 155
Justin Martyr
The soul survives death and exists consciously before the resurrection
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 180
Irenaeus of Lyon
It is safer to await the fulfilment of prophecy regarding the Antichrist than to speculate on the name bearing 666
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 195
Clement of Alexandria
Christ descended into Hades between his death and resurrection to preach to those held there
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 200–300
7 records
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 210
Tertullian
Tertullian argues the human soul is derived from the parents along with the body — traducianism
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 210
Tertullian
The bodily resurrection of the flesh at the last day is certain
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 211
Tertullian
Prayer for the dead is a pious and ancient Christian practice
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 230
Origen of Alexandria
Origen teaches that the resurrection body will be spiritual but identical in substance with the earthly body
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 230
Origen of Alexandria
The devil is a fallen angel, not an independent evil principle equal to God
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 230
Origen of Alexandria
Origen speculated that all rational souls including the devil might ultimately be restored — later condemned as heresy
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 230
Origen of Alexandria
Origen taught that souls pre-existed their bodies before birth — later condemned as heresy
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Nicene Era · AD 300–400
2 records
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 350
Cyril of Jerusalem
The Church prays for the faithful departed at the Eucharist and this benefits their souls
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 395
John Chrysostom
Chrysostom teaches that the devil cannot compel anyone to sin — temptation does not override free will
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Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
Post-Nicene · AD 400–500
4 records
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 400
Jerome
The resurrection of the body means the same body that died will rise, not a different spiritual substitute
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 413
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine teaches that unbaptised infants cannot enter the kingdom but suffer the mildest condemnation
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 420
Augustine of Hippo
Some suffer temporary punishments after death before the final judgment
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
ESCHATOLOGY c. AD 593
Gregory the Great
Gregory the Great teaches that the souls in purgatory are helped by the prayers and Masses offered for them
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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