What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.
217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
6
Traditions
This view maps the major heresies of the first 500 years — their positions, the figures who held them, the councils that condemned them, and which modern movements hold similar positions. It is analytical, not polemical: the data speaks, and you draw your own conclusions.
100200300400500
Arianism
⚔ Nicaea (AD 325)
Donatism
⚔ Rome (AD 313)
Pelagianism
⚔ Carthage (AD 412)
Nestorianism
⚔ Ephesus (AD 431)
Docetism / Gnosticism
Eutychianism / Monophysitism
⚔ Chalcedon (AD 451)
Marcionism
AD 30AD 100AD 200AD 300AD 400AD 500
⚔
ARIANISM
c. AD 318–451
CONDEMNED
THE POSITION
The Son is the first and greatest creature — the highest being, but not co-eternal or co-equal with the Father.
Key figure: Arius of Alexandria (c. AD 256–336)
COUNCIL RESPONSE
⊕ Nicaea (AD 325)Condemned: the Son is "of the same substance" as the Father
⊕ Constantinople (AD 381)Reaffirmed the Nicene settlement against Arianism
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
AriusEusebius of NicomediaValens (Emperor)UrsaciusValens of Mursa
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Athanasius of AlexandriaCouncil of NicaeaCouncil of ConstantinopleHilary of PoitiersAmbrose of Milan+1 more
MODERN PROXIMITY
Jehovah's WitnessesHigh similarity — the Son is created first, not co-eternal
Oneness PentecostalismPartial — rejects eternal Son but for different reasons
All major Christian denominationsExplicitly condemned
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.
The validity of sacraments depends on the moral worthiness of the minister. A bishop who lapsed during persecution invalidates all sacraments he performs.
Key figure: Donatus Magnus (c. AD 270–355)
COUNCIL RESPONSE
⊕ Rome (AD 313)Miltiades ruled against Donatism
⊕ Carthage (AD 411)Augustine defeated Donatist leaders in formal debate
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
Donatus MagnusParmenianTyconius (partially)
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Augustine of HippoOptatus of MilevisCouncil of RomeCouncil of Carthage
MODERN PROXIMITY
Independent Baptist movements (some)Partial — validity depends on doctrinal purity of church
Restorationist movementsLow similarity — pure church ecclesiology echoes Donatist concern
Most denominationsExplicitly rejected — ex opere operato principle
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.
Human beings possess free will sufficient to achieve salvation without divine grace. Original sin is imitation, not inheritance. Grace is helpful but not necessary.
Key figure: Pelagius (c. AD 354–418)
COUNCIL RESPONSE
⊕ Carthage (AD 412)Condemned propositions against original sin
⊕ Rome (AD 417)Pope Innocent I condemned Pelagius
⊕ Carthage (AD 418)Definitive condemnation of Pelagianism
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
PelagiusCaelestiusJulian of Eclanum
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Augustine of HippoPope Innocent IPope ZosimusCouncil of Carthage
MODERN PROXIMITY
Popular evangelical moralismHigh similarity — salvation by sincere effort and right choices
Arminianism (some forms)Partial — prevenient grace distinguishes it from pure Pelagianism
Semi-Pelagianism (condemned 529)Historical — Council of Orange addressed this later variant
Catholicism and OrthodoxyExplicitly rejected — but affirm cooperation of will and grace
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.
Christ has two separate persons (a divine Son and a human Jesus), not two natures united in one divine person. Mary is Christotokos (Christ-bearer), not Theotokos (God-bearer).
Key figure: Nestorius of Constantinople (c. AD 386–450)
COUNCIL RESPONSE
⊕ Ephesus (AD 431)Condemned Nestorius; affirmed Mary as Theotokos; deposed Nestorius
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
NestoriusTheodore of MopsuestiaTheodoret of Cyrrhus (partially)
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Cyril of AlexandriaCouncil of EphesusPope Celestine IProclus of Constantinople
MODERN PROXIMITY
Church of the East (Assyrian)Historical — modern Church of the East rejects the Nestorian label
Some evangelical ChristologyLow-partial — looser language about the two natures
All major denominationsExplicitly condemned
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.
Christ only appeared to have a physical body (Docetism). Matter is evil and irrelevant to salvation. True knowledge (gnosis) saves the spiritual elite.
Key figure: Valentinus (fl. c. AD 136–165), Basilides, Marcion
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
ValentinusBasilidesCerinthusPtolemy
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Ignatius of AntiochIrenaeus of LyonTertullianClement of AlexandriaHippolytus of Rome
MODERN PROXIMITY
New Age spiritualityPartial — gnosis, inner light, rejection of material religion
Progressive Christianity (some)Low similarity — functional Docetism in some Christologies
All historic denominationsExplicitly rejected — the Incarnation is physical
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.
The God of the Old Testament is a different, inferior deity from the loving Father revealed by Jesus. The OT should be rejected entirely. Paul alone understood the gospel.
Key figure: Marcion of Sinope (c. AD 85–160)
BELIEVERS IN THIS PERIOD
MarcionApellesPotitusBasilicus
OPPONENTS IN THIS PERIOD
Irenaeus of LyonTertullianJustin MartyrPolycarpEphraim the Syrian
MODERN PROXIMITY
Marcionite movements (fringe)High similarity — explicit rejection of OT God
Progressive Christianity (some)Partial — functional Marcionism; OT God as tribal or wrathful
All historic denominationsExplicitly rejected — the God of both Testaments is the same
This proximity scale is analytical, not accusatory. It shows which modern positions are similar to positions that the early Church formally rejected.