Eusebius’ Church History 19

Study Guide Questions for Book 7.15-7.25

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Eusebius’ Church History then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Compassion, Courage, Humility

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What did Theotecnus do to make Marinus’ choices clear?

2. What did Astyrius do for Marinus?

3. According to Eusebius, what strange and demonic activity used to take place on Mount Paneion?

4. What biblical scene had been depicted, in the form of a statue, in Caesarea Philippi?

5. How did Dionysius describe the state of things in Alexandria while “faction fighting” was taking place there?

6. Besides the violence that took place, what other horror came upon the people in Alexandria?

7. What analogy did Dionysius make concerning Gallienus’ coming to reign on his own apart from his father Valerian?

8. What did Nepos teach which Dionysius felt compelled to refute (contradict)?

9. What was Dionysius of Alexandria’s opinion as to whether or not the Revelation of John belongs in holy Scripture?

10. What reasons did Dionysius cite as to why he believed Revelation was written by another John and not the apostle?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What did Dionysius mean when he said, “every spot where we were molested became for us a place to celebrate?”

2. How did Dionysius use comparison and contrast to highlight the courage of the Christians during the time of the plague? What might best account for the differences in behavior between the Christians and the non-Christians?

3. If we assume that Dionysius is wrong, and that the apostle John is the author of the biblical book of Revelation, what explanations might we offer to account for the differences highlighted between John’s Gospel and epistles versus the Revelation?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Should Christians take interest in collecting relics (items that are associated with or previously used by Christ, his apostles, or other saints)? Why or why not? What would be the purpose in doing so? What potential goods or ills might be associated with collecting relics?

2. Dionysius said that he was able to achieve “concord” with the believers at Arsinoe. What factors would you argue made this result possible in the stated case? What is necessary, in general, in order for people who disagree about something to be able to come to the same opinion on the matter in the end? Stated negatively, why is it impossible for some people to come to agreement on a given matter?

3. Dionysius stated, concerning the Revelation of John, “I do not understand it, but I suspect that the words have a deeper meaning. Putting more reliance on faith than on reason, I have concluded that they are too high for my comprehension.” To what extent ought we to expect our pastors/ministers within the church to be able to understand all of the biblical text? Is it okay for a teacher of the church to say something like Dionysius says here? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Exodus 20:4-6. How should the second commandment affect our thinking concerning the statue and the paintings of Jesus that Eusebius mentioned? Does the commandment forbid the making of any kind of image or only certain kinds of images? If you think certain kinds of images may be produced, do you think images of Jesus are lawful or unlawful? Explain your answer with Scripture and reason to support it.

2. Read Philippians 1:27-2:11. How might we connect this passage with the ministry of Dionysius of Alexandria to those at Arsinoe?