Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
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JO
John Chrysostom
9 belief records
100%
agree
AU
Augustine of Hippo
21 belief records
Ecclesiology ✓ AGREE
John Chrysostom condemns the wealthy who feast while the poor starve outside the church doors
Homilies on Matthew, Homily 50
affirmed
John Chrysostom warns that wealth accumulated without charity is a form of violence against the poor
Homilies on First Corinthians, Homily 11
affirmed
God does not predetermine the wicked to damnation — they condemn themselves by their own choices
Homilies on Romans, Homily 16
affirmed
Christ and the Church are as one person — head and body together
Homilies on John, Tract. 10
affirmed
Schism from the Catholic Church is a grave sin even if the schismatic group holds correct doctrine
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, I.17
affirmed
Grace is necessary for every act of salvation and cannot be merited
On Grace and Free Will, 5
affirmed
The grace that assists the Christian in daily life is distinct from and greater than mere moral instruction
On the Spirit and the Letter, 2
affirmed
Pelagianism is not only wrong about grace but destroys the necessity of the Incarnation and cross
On the Spirit and the Letter, 2
affirmed
Augustine teaches that God predestines some to salvation by grace alone, not by foreknown merits
On Predestination of the Saints, 10
affirmed
The Eucharist Only one figure has records here
Chrysostom describes the Eucharist as physically receiving Christ — the communicant fixes their teeth in his flesh
Homilies on First Corinthians, Homily 24
affirmed
The Eucharist transforms those who receive it into the body of Christ — communicants become what they receive
Homilies on First Corinthians, Homily 24
affirmed
Chrysostom teaches that the Eucharist is the same sacrifice as Calvary, not a different one
Homilies on Hebrews, Homily 17
affirmed
No record from Augustine of Hippo
The Priesthood ✓ AGREE
Chrysostom teaches that the bishop must be prepared to give an account for every soul in his flock
On the Priesthood, VI.1
affirmed
Ordination, like baptism, cannot be repeated — both are sacraments given once
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, I.1
affirmed
Eschatology ✓ AGREE
Chrysostom teaches that the devil cannot compel anyone to sin — temptation does not override free will
Homilies on Matthew, Homily 28
affirmed
Augustine teaches that unbaptised infants cannot enter the kingdom but suffer the mildest condemnation
Enchiridion, 93
affirmed
Some suffer temporary punishments after death before the final judgment
Enchiridion, 69
affirmed
Prayer & Devotion Only one figure has records here
John Chrysostom teaches that the liturgical assembly is the primary school of Christian prayer
Homilies on Matthew, Homily 19
affirmed
No record from Augustine of Hippo
Scripture & Tradition Only one figure has records here
No record from John Chrysostom
The Church has authority to determine which books belong to the canon of Scripture
On Christian Doctrine, II.8
affirmed
The canon of both Old and New Testaments was settled by the authority of the Catholic churches
On Christian Doctrine, II.8
affirmed
The Scriptures are inspired by God and free from error in what they affirm
Letter 82.3 (to Jerome)
affirmed
Augustine of Hippo reads Genesis not as literal six-day chronology but as instantaneous divine creation
The Literal Meaning of Genesis, IV.33.52
affirmed
The Sacraments Only one figure has records here
No record from John Chrysostom
Donatism is wrong — the validity of sacraments does not depend on the holiness of the minister
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, III.15
affirmed
Baptism in the name of the Trinity is valid even when performed by a heretic or schismatic
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, IV.17
affirmed
Augustine teaches that marriage has three goods: fidelity, offspring, and sacramental bond
On the Good of Marriage, 24
affirmed
Original sin is transmitted to all humanity through physical generation
On the Merits and Remission of Sins, II.4
affirmed
Baptism washes away original sin inherited from Adam
On the Merits and Remission of Sins, I.26
affirmed
Infants who die without baptism are in a condition of original sin — Augustine refuses to promise them glory
On the Soul and Its Origin, IV.11
affirmed
Mariology Only one figure has records here
No record from John Chrysostom
Augustine excepts the holy Virgin Mary from the general discussion of sin, out of honour to Christ
On Nature and Grace, 36.42
implied
Soteriology Only one figure has records here
No record from John Chrysostom
Grace is necessary for every act ordered toward salvation — the will cannot initiate it unaided
On Grace and Free Will, 6
affirmed
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