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
Reset
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
AH
Augustine of Hippo
Post Nicene · 10 records · 6 doctrines
Biography →
Tradition Alignment
Catholic
100%
Orthodox
50%
Lutheran
60%
Reformed
60%
Baptist
30%
Evangelical
40%
Doctrine Coverage
Christology
Ecclesiology 3
Eschatology 1
Mariology 1
Petrine Ministry
Pneumatology
Prayer & Devotion
Scripture & Tradition 1
Soteriology
The Eucharist
The Priesthood 1
The Sacraments 3
The Priesthood 1 record
Ordination, like baptism, cannot be repeated — both are sacraments given once
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, I.1
affirmed
The Sacraments 3 records
Donatism is wrong — the validity of sacraments does not depend on the holiness of the minister
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, III.15
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
Ecclesiology 3 records
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
Scripture & Tradition 1 record
The Scriptures are inspired by God and free from error in what they affirm
Letter 82.3 (to Jerome)
affirmed
Mariology 1 record
Augustine excepts the holy Virgin Mary from the general discussion of sin, out of honour to Christ
On Nature and Grace, 36.42
implied
Eschatology 1 record
Some suffer temporary punishments after death before the final judgment
Enchiridion, 69
affirmed
Loading…

History has always been on her side.

Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

Enter the Archive