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
Reset
Records by century
2
1st
2
2nd
2
3rd
2
4th
9
5th
How to read the tradition strip
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Identical Convergent Partial Divergent Opposed Unknown
Apostolic Era · AD 30–100
2 records
PETRINE c. AD 96
Clement of Rome
The church of Rome intervenes in the affairs of the church at Corinth
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 96
Clement of Rome
Clement of Rome intervenes in the Corinthian church to restore deposed elders — the letter is authoritative
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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
Nicene Era · AD 300–400
2 records
PETRINE AD 325 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Council of Nicaea
The bishop of Alexandria exercises regional authority parallel to Rome's authority in the West
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 384
Jerome
Jerome appeals to the chair of Peter in Rome as the doctrinal authority for settling disputes
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Post-Nicene · AD 400–500
9 records
PETRINE AD 416
Pope Innocent I
Nothing done in remote provinces should be regarded as finally settled unless it has come to the notice of this See
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE AD 416
Pope Innocent I
Pope Innocent I teaches that all major causes of the Church must be referred to the Roman see
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 444
Pope Leo I
Leo I teaches that Peter lives on in his successors and continues to exercise his primacy through them
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 445
Pope Leo I
The faith confessed by Peter persists in his successors, the bishops of Rome
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE AD 451 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Council of Chalcedon
The bishop of Rome cannot summon a universal council alone — imperial authority was required for all four great councils
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE AD 451
Pope Leo I
The council fathers acclaimed: Peter has spoken through Leo
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 494
Pope Gelasius I
Gelasius I asserts that spiritual and temporal authority are distinct — priests bear greater weight because they answer for kings
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 590
Gregory the Great
Gregory the Great teaches that the pope is servant of all, not lord — and rebuke is required when rulers sin
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PETRINE c. AD 595 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Gregory the Great
Pope Gregory the Great refuses the title Universal Bishop as the precursor of Antichrist
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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