2008-06-11 Investigations into the in fight of the early church

This book covers the history from the beginning of Christianity until the 6th century AD.
First all the early different mainstream directions are described until finally during the 4th century AD the orthodox win and rewriting history.
But after Constantine's support and Nicaea 325 AD the in-fight gets even more severe, a mix of political bickering, who is nearer to the emperor is mixing with theological interpretations. Doctrinal discussions about the duality of father and son, the `one substance' interpretation and later including the Holy Ghost as trinity are explained.

Henry Chadwick is describing all the political power play, intrigues and corruption.
- Bishop's still mainstream this year are considered heretic soon after, often not based on doctrinal differences
- The fight between Alexandria, Constantinople, and Rome or Antioch versus Alexandria all for the influence and leadership of the holy sea.
- -Alliances of Bishops from one area to unseat another Bishop and gain power.
- Fighting for imperial favor is decided which Bishop is just happened to be nearer to the emperor's wife.
- The split of Greek speaking eastern churches versus the Latin speaking western churches.
- Decisions on doctrinal issues are often made from the emperor
- Split between West and east Rome and different political events and outcome of wars adding to the picture
Mix all this and the history becomes worse or more complicated like a TV soap.
This book `the early church' of the insights of Church power plays is a good combination with B. Ehrman's `Lost Christianities' which focus on the doctrinal contents.