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
OA
Origen of Alexandria
Ante Nicene · 5 records · 4 doctrines
Biography →
Tradition Alignment
Catholic
100%
Orthodox
100%
Lutheran
60%
Reformed
40%
Baptist
20%
Evangelical
20%
Doctrine Coverage
Christology
Ecclesiology 2
Eschatology 1
Mariology 1
Petrine Ministry
Pneumatology
Prayer & Devotion
Scripture & Tradition
Soteriology
The Eucharist
The Priesthood
The Sacraments 1
Ecclesiology 2 records
Outside the Church no one is saved, just as outside Noah's ark no one survived the flood
Homilies on Joshua, 3.5
affirmed
The intercession of the saints in heaven is real and profitable to those on earth
On Prayer, 11
affirmed
Eschatology 1 record
The devil is a fallen angel, not an independent evil principle equal to God
On First Principles, I.5.3
affirmed
The Sacraments 1 record
Infant baptism is the continuous practice of the Church from the apostles
Commentary on Romans, 5.9
affirmed
Mariology 1 record
Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Christ
Commentary on Matthew, 10.17
affirmed
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