(S5 E31) Sects of Early Christianity

By: Brian Chilton and Curtis Evelo | May 18, 2022

On this next to last episode of Season 5, Brian Chilton and Curtis Evelo discuss the sects of early Christianity. They show that the early Christian movement did not begin to see major divisions until the 5 major sees were established after the church found prominence in the Roman Empire. The following questions are examined:

1. What do we mean by “early Christian sects”?

2. What caused the first major division in early Christianity?

3. How does Paul and the Jerusalem Council of AD 48 figure into this division?

4. What were the 5 major centers of Christianity and how did they differ?

5. Why did the Christians of Antioch of Syria take issue with the Christians of Alexandria of Egypt?

6. What were the earliest heresies that the church faced?

7. What can modern Christians take from these early groups; where they differed; and where they agreed?

Brian G. Chilton, PhD Cand: Founder of Bellator Christi Ministries, President, Contributor, and Co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast

Brian G. Chilton is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Theology and Apologetics program at Liberty University. He is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast and the founder of Bellator Christi. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and plans to purse philosophical studies in the near future. Brian is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.

Brian has served in pastoral ministry for nearly 20 years and currently serves as a clinical hospice chaplain. Additionally, he serves as an editor for the Eleutheria Journal. At the prompting of the Lord, Brian established Bellator Christi Ministries in 2012. The ministry is aimed to provide readily available resources in theology, apologetics, biblical studies, and philosophy to those who want to know what Christianity teaches and why it should be believed. In 2019, Brian published his first book entitled the Layman’s Manual on Christian Apologetics. After finishing his Ph.D., Brian intends to publish more books. His areas of expertise include early Christology, early NT creeds, near-death experiences, biblical reliability, the blend of divine sovereignty and human freedom, and the need for empathy.

https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104

Curtis Evelo: Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast

Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. Curtis is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country. Curtis serves as the Vice-President of Bellator Christi Ministries, a contributor, and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. His research interests include Jewish studies in the New Testament, Old Testament typologies, and studies on free will.