He is awesome! If I were doing my degrees now rather than a great many years ago, I'd follow him anywhere! But alas being a retired old prof. this is no longer an option. What a blessed teacher he is. In the finest sense of the nobel word 'teacher'.

Certainly the 2nd century Christian churches bear careful study, but the idea that hierarchical ecclesiastical organization occurred only later in the second century may underestimate the implications not only of Ignatius of Antioch (circa 105) but the New Testament Pastoral Epistles themselves. Calling the 2nd century a kind of dark age seems sometimes almost a late Reformation impulse to justify later ecclesiastical division based upon speculative historical retrieval.

One of my biggest questions about the church has been how did it transform from the relatively loosely structured Christian communities founded by the apostle Paul into priests, altars and sacraments? It all happened in 80 years of the second century? It seems odd that there is such scant evidence in the form of writings or records of such a profound transformation in such a short period.

@sinfulyetsaved

4 жыл бұрын

Study the didache this is the earliest forms of liturgical worship, eucharist, actual practical guides on how to perform baptism, worship, etc. My guess is this theology had developed over time. Remember there was major persecution going on until Constantine legalized christianity. During this time christianity experienced a renaissance era from arts education etc. I'm no historical professor but gathering some info over time this is what I have gathered.

@blyrax

3 жыл бұрын

my question is similar to yours. About one or two years ago i looked into the "Didache". i didn't go through it completely, but i'm not convinced it's credible. i don't remember why i came to that conclusion, but if i go through it again i'm sure i'll remember. that said, if you get an answer to your question please let me know.

@alfredhitchcock45

3 жыл бұрын

It is not odd since wars destroyed all those early texts

Because either the texts were burned or destroyed in wars happening those periods

As a former student and admirer of of Dr Tom O'Loughlin for being a profound and most inspiring theology scholar I very much enjoy seeing and listening to him teaching and lecturing especially on early Christianity and Celtic Christianity. Thanks and blessings. In Christo, Gunnthor Ingason

@rosebryce3939

2 жыл бұрын

What a blessing to have been his student.

@tallmikbcroft6937

Жыл бұрын

I respect his opinion. I wish I could study under him. I'll have to be satisfied with these videos.

@theguyver4934

10 ай бұрын

@@tallmikbcroft6937 Please tell me what is the name of the music in the beginning and end that plays i really want to know

80 year gap!! Its so frustrating what we don't know. ... bridge the darkness .. we have hints ..

Sounds like a great area for a PhD?

@tomgreene6579

4 жыл бұрын

Very much indeed .

@rosebryce3939

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes! If you are young enough to ask that question you should go for it! If I were you I would!