THE 1000C Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Catechumen, Concubinage, Caelestius

• School: St. John's University
• Department: Theology and Religious Studies
• Course: THE 1000C
• Professor: Claire J Schirtzer

Document Summary

Question- how to be an authentic christian: was it necessary to abandon the city and the world to follow christ, ascetic rejection- the path to perfection. On the city of god- the culmination of early christian apologetics against paganism. Perfectionist religion like christianity too other-worldly for empire. Rome built largely on lust for power. Rod not meant to be worshipped for earthly advantage. Church composed of saints and sinners alike. Christians obliged to contribute to the peace of this earthly city. Enrolled as a catechumen of early age. Become involved with new religions called manicheism. Heart of teaching- two fundamental realties: a principle or power of good (the kingdom of light)- consisted of spirit, a power of evil (the kingdom of darness)- consisted of matter and the dark elements like smoke. Kingdom of darkness invaded kingdom of life. Kingdom of light defended itself- produced a created world to liberate the elements of spiritual light.