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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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
Nicene Era · AD 300–400
1 record
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 318
Athanasius of Alexandria
Salvation is theosis — participation in the divine nature, not merely forensic pardon
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Post-Nicene · AD 400–500
2 records
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 410 ⚔ HOSTILE WITNESS
Pelagius
Pelagius denies original sin and the necessity of grace — each person can choose good without divine assistance
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SOTERIOLOGY c. AD 418
Augustine of Hippo
Grace is necessary for every act ordered toward salvation — the will cannot initiate it unaided
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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