The Foundations of Western Theology Religion & Theology Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

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Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustine: The Foundations of Western Theology
The culmination of the apostolic age during the start of the Second century ushered in the patristic period. Christianity spread from Jerusalem to the Roman Empire and beyond. The early Church father established religion, read the Church’s doctrine and vowed to defend from false and heretical teachings of the time. This patristic era witnessed the production of ecclesiastical hierarchy and liturgical rituals that shaped the Church History. .
Tertullian, Cyprian and Augustine, were among the early Church fathers who fought heresies, and addressed conflicts through a series of letters and treatises. The theological doctrines developed by these Church fathers laid the groundwork for Western theology. For example, Tertullian developed the vocabulary for orthodox use to interpret the Trinity. Cyprian developed the ecclesiastical hierarchy structure that was later adopted to create the Roman papacy. In addition to doctrinally contributing to Western theology, Augustine’s ideas formed the basis of Martin Luther’s Reformed theology.[Andrew F Wallis, “The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith”, (Maryknoll, Orbis, 1996); 13] [Jonathan Hill, Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity, (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2004), 44]
During the early centuries many Christians in Africa suffered prosecutions and trials, yet they defended firmly their faith. It is also during this era that great African theologian leaders like Tertullian, Cyprian and Augustine made contributions to theological interpretations and concepts. Their theological works were to be adopted by the Christian Church, especially in Africa and Europe.