Church History
4/1/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter VIII. Christian Art." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2269-2327). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 102-116).
"§102. Religion and Art." (pp. 2269-2271).
Schaff observes that in rightly identifying the world in terms of truth, beauty, and goodness, the aesthetic elements of life belong in religion as much as any other sphere of consideration (Schaff 2014, p. 2269). For this reason, the mission of art is perfected in worship of God. The elements of beauty are created by God and serve to proclaim his praise (Schaff 2014, p. 2270).
Early Christianity struggled with art. In Schaff's opinion, this was because of the connection they perceived between art and idolatry (Schaff 2014, p. 2270). Eventually, much of Christianity reached the conclusion that the arts could be turned to godly purposes as well as to idolatry.
"§103. Church Architecture." (pp. 2271-2274).
Architecture, in Schaff's opinion, finds its highest purpose as it is used to prepare a place for the human and divine to meet (Schaff 2014, p. 2271). The earliest Christians had no particular buildings for worship, but not due to a neglect of architecture. Rather, they were generally oppressed and had to gather relatively privately (Schaff 2014, p. 2272). There are some traces of church buildings in the later part of the third century, then again after 312 after Constantine allowed the church itself to have property (Schaff 2014, p. 2272). The fourth century saw a tremendous surge in church construction. In many instances high government officials, including emperors, had churches built at personal or state expense. In some instances pagan "temples or other public buildings were transformed for Christian worship" (Schaff 2014, p. 2273). However, the pagan temples tended to be round and not spacious due to their particular use. They did not adapt well to a gathering for corporate worship, preaching, and prayer.
4/1/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter VIII. Christian Art." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2269-2327). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 102-116).
"§102. Religion and Art." (pp. 2269-2271).
Schaff observes that in rightly identifying the world in terms of truth, beauty, and goodness, the aesthetic elements of life belong in religion as much as any other sphere of consideration (Schaff 2014, p. 2269). For this reason, the mission of art is perfected in worship of God. The elements of beauty are created by God and serve to proclaim his praise (Schaff 2014, p. 2270).
Early Christianity struggled with art. In Schaff's opinion, this was because of the connection they perceived between art and idolatry (Schaff 2014, p. 2270). Eventually, much of Christianity reached the conclusion that the arts could be turned to godly purposes as well as to idolatry.
"§103. Church Architecture." (pp. 2271-2274).
Architecture, in Schaff's opinion, finds its highest purpose as it is used to prepare a place for the human and divine to meet (Schaff 2014, p. 2271). The earliest Christians had no particular buildings for worship, but not due to a neglect of architecture. Rather, they were generally oppressed and had to gather relatively privately (Schaff 2014, p. 2272). There are some traces of church buildings in the later part of the third century, then again after 312 after Constantine allowed the church itself to have property (Schaff 2014, p. 2272). The fourth century saw a tremendous surge in church construction. In many instances high government officials, including emperors, had churches built at personal or state expense. In some instances pagan "temples or other public buildings were transformed for Christian worship" (Schaff 2014, p. 2273). However, the pagan temples tended to be round and not spacious due to their particular use. They did not adapt well to a gathering for corporate worship, preaching, and prayer.
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