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
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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
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 155
Justin Martyr
Salvation requires both faith and the grace of baptism — it is not by human merit
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 185
Irenaeus of Lyon
Irenaeus teaches that salvation recapitulates the whole of human history in Christ — every stage restored
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 200–300
2 records
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 200
Clement of Alexandria
Justification is not by works of the Law but through faith in Christ — Paul's teaching is the Catholic norm
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 245
Origen of Alexandria
Origen teaches that the cross is a ransom that liberates humanity from bondage to sin and death
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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History has always been on her side.

Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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