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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Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Identical Convergent Partial Divergent Opposed Unknown
Ante-Nicene · AD 100–200
2 records
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 195
Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria argues married life is honourable before God and celibacy is not required for salvation
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 195
Clement of Alexandria
A bishop is to be married no more than once — the Pauline qualification limits prior marriages, not celibacy
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 200–300
4 records
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 200
Tertullian
Women did not hold the office of bishop, priest, or deacon in the early Church
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 230
Didascalia Apostolorum
The Didascalia Apostolorum teaches that widows must not baptise or teach men — only care for women
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 249
Cyprian of Carthage
Consecrated virginity is praised as the higher part, but not imposed — it is offered as an inducement to glory, not a yoke of necessity
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
PRIESTHOOD c. AD 250
Cyprian of Carthage
The ordained priesthood is a distinct office with sacrificial powers
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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