Image

Name(s)

Birth

Death

Role(s)

Works

Overview

St. Athanasius

c. 296
Alexandria, Egypt

May 2/3, 373
Alexandria

Bishop of Alexandria

On the Incarnation; Life of St. Anthony

Opponent of Arianism, defender of Nicene Christology; supporter of monasticism.

St. Augustine of Hippo; Aurelius Augustine; "The Doctor of Grace"

354
Thagaste, N. Africa

430
Hippo, N. Africa

Bishop of Hippo, theologian

City of God; Confessions; On Free Will; On the Trinity; Handbook on Faith, Hope and Love

Developed orthodox doctrines of grace, original sin, soul, Trinity, the church.

Basil the Great

c.330
Cappadocia

c.379

Cappadocian father, monk, Bishop of Caesarea

Philocalia; On the Holy Spirit; Against Eunomius

Involved in Arian controversy.

St. Clement of Alexandria

c. 150

c. 215

theologian; professor

Exhortations; Teachings; Miscellanies

Interpreted Christian teachings in the context of Greek philosophy.

St. Clement of Rome; Clement I; Pope St. Clement

unknown

c. 101

Bishop of Rome

1 Clement

Considered fourth Pope by Catholics; might be mentioned in Php. 4:3. Probable author of 1 Clement, a letter once considered for the NT canon.

Gregory of Nazianzus

329/30
Nazianzus in Cappadocia

389/90

Cappadocian father, monk, preacher

Five Theological Orations

Studied at Athens. Influenced outcome of Council of Constantinople (381) by his eloquent preaching.

Gregory of Nyssa

c. 330
Cappadocia

c. 395
Constantinople?

Cappadocian father, Bishop of Nyssa, monk, preacher, theologian

Against Eunomius, Against Apollinarius, Catechetical Oration; On Virginity

Brother of St. Basil. Influenced by Platonism.

Ignatius of Antioch

unknown

c. 110
Rome, Italy

Bishop of Antioch

seven letters

Wrote letters on his way to be matryred; opposed Docetism.

Irenaeus of Lyons

c. 140

c. 200
France

Bishop of Lyons

Against Heresies

Disciple of Polycarp. Developed idea of "recapitulation." Writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. Against Heresies is a detailed description and refutation of Gnosticism.

Jerome

c. 342
Slovenia

420
Bethlehem

scholar, theologian

Vulgate; Against Jovinian; Against Vigilantius; Commentaries

Translated Bible into Latin

Justin Martyr

c. 100
Flavia Neapolis, Palestine [now Nabulus]

c. 165
Rome, Italy
(feast: June 1)

apologist, philosopher

Apology; Dialogue with Trypho the Jew

A convert from paganism and Greek philosopher, Justin represents the first positive encounter between Christianity and Greek philosophy.

Origen of Alexandria; Origenes Adamantius

c. 185
Alexandria

c. 254
Caeserea or Tyre

apologist, theologian, teacher

Against Celsus; Commentaries; Homilies

Taught universalism and preexistence of souls. Views condemned by Council in 533.

Tertullian

160
Carthage

220

theologian, apologist

Against Praxeas; Apology; On the Soul

Coined theological terms such as trinity, person, substance; argued that faith and reason do not mix. "Father of Latin Theology."