This article explains how the Roman Catholic Church came to have the papacy as its system of church government.

In this article, the author provides a simplified understanding of christology on the subject of the divinity and humanity of Christ as expressed by the Council of Chalcedon in 451. In the process the author gives background developments that led to Chalcedon, especially the Alexandrian and Antiochene views of christology.

What did the early church believe about the second coming or return of Christ? This paper explores the views of the ante-Nicene fathers on this topic and touches upon the conditions of his return, the result of his return, personal preparation for his return, relationship to the first resurrection, tribulation, etc.

What was the teaching of Nestorius or what came to be known as Nestorianism? Nestorius separated the human and divine in Jesus Christ so as to make of him two separate persons. This essay re-evaluates this position in the light of 20th century research and within the Christological controversies of that time.

This article discusses and evaluates the heresy of Apollinarianism.

The purpose of 1 Clement is to restore order and harmony in the church of Corinth. In addressing the conflict, Clement quotes from 1 Corinthians. This essay reflects on the relevance of the quotation from 1 Corinthians for Clement’s purpose and devotes attention to Clement’s own exhortations to the Corinthians.

Lewis reflects on the Donatist controversy in the fourth century, particularly the role of violence perpetrated by the different parties involved and the advice and role of Augustine in the controversy.

What was the social position of women in antiquity? Were they less educated than men and did they enjoy less opportunity for public speech than men? Keener first notes the relevance of these questions for one line of egalitarian interpretation of Paul. He then examines some exceptions to this general rule, the presence of some women in advanced education, women in Jewish education, and women speaking in public.

What were the heresies of the apostolic age? This is the question discussed in this article. The main heresies include Gnosticism, Docetism, and the heresy of Cerinthus.

This article discusses and evaluates the heresy of Arianism, so-called because of its head, Arius. Due consideration is given to the Council of Nicea.

Papias lived in Hierapolis in the middle of the second century. This article wants to reassess the dating of Papias' writings as it is primarily known through Eusebius. The significance of Papias lies in his testimony to the New Testament canon.

The life and literary activity of Hippolytus of Rome lead to a major debate in the middle of the 20th century in patristic scholarship. In this article that debate is surveyed and its relevance for apologetics is indicated.