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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Church Fathers
Apostolic · AD 30–96
Clement of Rome 3 Council of Jerusalem 1 Didache 4 Hermas 2 Ignatius of Antioch 7 Polycarp of Smyrna 2
Ante-Nicene · AD 96–325
Clement of Alexandria 4 Cornelius of Rome 1 Cyprian of Carthage 13 Didascalia Apostolorum 1 Irenaeus of Lyon 16 Justin Martyr 14 Origen of Alexandria 17 Tertullian 19
Nicene · AD 325–381
Ambrose of Milan 10 Arius 1 Athanasius of Alexandria 10 Basil of Caesarea 4 Council of Constantinople I 2 Council of Ephesus 3 Council of Nicaea 5 Cyril of Alexandria 2 Cyril of Jerusalem 4 Gregory of Nazianzus 5 Gregory of Nyssa 2 John Chrysostom 9 Pope Damasus I 1
Post-Nicene · AD 381–500
Athanasian Creed 1 Augustine of Hippo 21 Council of Carthage 2 Council of Chalcedon 3 Council of Constantinople II 1 Council of Constantinople III 2 Council of Nicaea II 1 Council of Orange 1 Council of Toledo III 1 Gregory of Tours 1 Gregory the Great 4 Jerome 4 John of Damascus 1 Pelagius 1 Pope Gelasius I 1 Pope Innocent I 2 Pope Leo I 4 Pope Martin I 1 Vincent of Lérins 3
CC
Cyprian of Carthage
Ante Nicene · 8 records · 4 doctrines
Biography →
Tradition Alignment
Catholic
100%
Orthodox
88%
Lutheran
38%
Reformed
25%
Baptist
25%
Evangelical
13%
Doctrine Coverage
Christology
Ecclesiology 3
Eschatology
Mariology
Petrine Ministry
Pneumatology
Prayer & Devotion
Scripture & Tradition
Soteriology
The Eucharist 2
The Priesthood 2
The Sacraments 1
The Priesthood 2 records
Consecrated virginity is praised as the higher part, but not imposed — it is offered as an inducement to glory, not a yoke of necessity
On the Dress of Virgins, 3
affirmed
The ordained priesthood is a distinct office with sacrificial powers
Letter 63.14
affirmed
Ecclesiology 3 records
The veneration of martyrs and saints is a legitimate Christian practice
Letter 39.3
affirmed
The unity of the Church is maintained through the bishop
On the Unity of the Church, 5
affirmed
Excommunication is a valid and serious ecclesial penalty
Letter 59.5
affirmed
The Sacraments 1 record
Confession of sins to a priest effects sacramental absolution
On the Lapsed, 29
affirmed
The Eucharist 2 records
Receiving the Eucharist unworthily is a sin against the body and blood of the Lord
On the Lapsed, 15–16
affirmed
The Eucharist must follow Christ's own institution exactly — he used bread and wine mixed with water
Letter 63.1
affirmed
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