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CHURCH FATHERS. 1)JEROME Translated Bible in Latin 2)AMBROSE involved in politics Roman governor in northern Italy before age 30 did not want to be Church leader forced to become a bishop (had not even been baptized yet) exceptional orator / preacher
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CHURCH FATHERS 1)JEROME Translated Bible in Latin 2)AMBROSE involved in politics Roman governor in northern Italy before age 30 did not want to be Church leader forced to become a bishop (had not even been baptized yet) exceptional orator / preacher ***1st time Church triumphed over State
CHURCH FATHERS 2)AMBROSE cont… STRENGTHENED CHURCH OVER STATE Theodosius had thousands killed for the death of a Roman governor Ambrose demanded he repent and was forbidden from attending worship until he prostrate himself at the altar Theodosius complied 3) AUGUSTINE 19-29 = mistresses / child did not convert until age 32 liked sex rejected Christianity – did not understand how a sovereign God could allow evil and still be sovereign heard a sermon by Ambrose knew Christianity was true, but did not convert
CHURCH FATHERS AUGUSTINE cont… Heard a little girl swinging and saying “take up and read” Romans 13:12 ”The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don’t live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds ….Clothe yourselves with the armor right living…” converted
CHURCH FATHERS AUGUSTINE Cont… 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1)Grace was a “monergistic” act of God and NOT “synergistic” (God/you) man born into ”original sin” and cannot change grace granted to those “predestined” by God -”Salvation by Faith alone” (Grace of God) 2)”City of God” 1st Christian philosophy of history feeling that Rome fell because it had rejected its gods – Augustine = NO >fell because it rejected the true God and embraced idolatry >”City of Man” will always fall to “City of God”
CHURCH FATHERS AUGUSTINE cont… 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 3)”The Confessions of Augustine” 1st Christian autobiography recounts his testimony
CHURCH FATHERS 4)GREGORY I son of Roman Senator became “Prefect” of Rome (Mayor) deeper calling for life with God gave wealth to poor became Pope (1st monk to become Pope) strengthened role of the Church’s role as governmental leader sent out many missionaries (Augustine)
RISE OF MISSIONARIES 376 – Attila pushing barbarians into Roman Empire 410 – fall of Rome 476 – fall of W. Roman Empire **Christianity existed, but no longer followed by masses** Opportunity for Missions
RISE OF MISSIONARIES 1)Patrick – Ireland English Captured by Irish raiders Escaped returned to England Nightmares of Irish boys/girls going to hell Returned to Ireland as a Missionary
RISE OF MISSIONARIES 2)Boniface – Germany -walks into ring where Thor was being worshipped at his sacred Oak and cuts tree down -waited for Thor to take revenge – nothing happened -took wood and built church – converted Germans
RISE OF MISSIONARIES 3)Augustine – England originally returned asking Pope Gregory not to be sent to England – NO! Must persevere est. Christianity in England est. Church of Canterbury – 1st Archbishop 4)Clovis – France *Clotilda *Battle of Tobiac *”Battlefield Conversions”