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
500
Years
6
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
2 records
PETRINE c. AD 180
Irenaeus of Lyon
The apostles founded the Church at Rome and committed the episcopate to Linus their successor
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 180
Irenaeus of Lyon
Every church must agree with the Roman Church on account of its preeminent authority and the apostolic tradition preserved there
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 200–300
2 records
PETRINE c. AD 200 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Tertullian
Peter was the first bishop of Rome and the head of the apostolic college
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 217 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Tertullian
The Church's authority includes binding and loosing on earth — what she binds is bound in heaven
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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