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
JC
John Chrysostom
Nicene · 9 records · 5 doctrines
Tradition Alignment
Catholic
100%
Orthodox
100%
Lutheran
89%
Reformed
44%
Baptist
56%
Evangelical
56%
Doctrine Coverage
Christology
Ecclesiology 3
Eschatology 1
Mariology
Petrine Ministry
Pneumatology
Prayer & Devotion 1
Scripture & Tradition
Soteriology
The Eucharist 3
The Priesthood 1
The Sacraments
Ecclesiology 3 records
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
The Eucharist 3 records
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
The Priesthood 1 record
Chrysostom teaches that the bishop must be prepared to give an account for every soul in his flock
On the Priesthood, VI.1
affirmed
Eschatology 1 record
Chrysostom teaches that the devil cannot compel anyone to sin — temptation does not override free will
Homilies on Matthew, Homily 28
affirmed
Prayer & Devotion 1 record
John Chrysostom teaches that the liturgical assembly is the primary school of Christian prayer
Homilies on Matthew, Homily 19
affirmed
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