Study Questions for Assignment 26 -- Eusebius, The History of the Church, pgs 86-178 (bk 3.23-bk 5)
- Book 3, section 25: what three categories of writings does Eusebius mention here, and which writings does he included in each? At the end of section 25, what three marks of canonicity (marks of belonging in the canon, or list of authentic Scripture) does Eusebius mention here?
- Book 3, section 33: In his report to the emperor Trajan, what did Pliny say the Christians did, and what was Trajan's response? What are the dates of Trajan's reign?
- Book 4, section 6: What was the final fate of Jerusalem, and what brought it about? How did the character of the church there change?
- Book 5, second paragraph of introduction: What comparison and contrast does Eusebius make between himself and other historians? How is this an appropriate introduction to what comes next?
- Bk 5, sect. 1: Summarize the martyrdom of Blandina.
- Bk 5, sect. 1, end: Why did the persecutors burn and sweep into the river the ashes of the martyr's bodies?
- Bk. 5, sect. 2: What was the attitude of the martyrs toward themselves? What was their attitude toward those who had fallen? (compare also the bottom of pg. 143, top of 144)
- Bk. 5, sect. 5: What is the story of the Thundering Legion?
- Bk. 5, sect. 8: How did the "translation of the seventy" come about? (this is the Septuagint, or LXX, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, made in the 3rd century B.C.)
- Bk. 5, sects. 23-25: Review the Easter controversy. a) What was the controversy about, b) what groups were on which sides, c) what did Victor, bishop of Rome, wish to do to solve the problem, and d) how did the bishops led by Ireneaus respond? e) What was the most important issue for Irenaeus? f) What was the final decision, the upshot of the whole affair?
Pliny's letter to Trajan, with
Trajan's response
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