Eusebius’ Church History 20

Study Guide Questions for Book 7.26-7.32

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)

Truth vs. Deception, Despotism, Battle of Wits, Prudence, Virtue

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to the text, why did Dionysius of Alexandria not attend the Synod of Antioch?

2. What was the purpose of the Synod of Antioch?

3. How did Paul of Samosata go from being “penniless” to possessing “immense wealth?”

4. What was Paul of Samosata’s position on the singing of hymns?

5. After excommunicating Paul of Samosata, what did the Christians have to do to take back the church building from him? 

6. What wild claims did Mani make about himself?

7. How did Anatolius contrive to save most of the Christians during the siege of Pirucheum?

8. What was Theodotus known for?

9. According to Eusebius, how many years has he now covered in his Church History?

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

1. Why might Malchion have been able to do better at exposing the heretical teachings of Paul of Samosata than others who tried?

2. Why would someone like Paul of Samosata, who doesn’t believe the biblical doctrines of the Christian faith, want to be a minister in the church at all?

3. Several times Eusebius referred to men who were skilled in “secular learning.” Based upon the context, what subjects/disciplines is he calling secular learning?

4. Why would Eusebius (the author of the book) take such trouble to record the succession of bishops from the time of Christ to his own day?

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

1. How does someone like Paul of Samosata become a minister in Christ’s church? What kind of safeguard should be put into place to try to keep such men from holding a position within the church?

2. The Christians appealed to the emperor in order to reclaim their building from Paul of Samosata after he was excommunicated. When should Christians make use of the secular authorities to help them settle issues that occur within the church? When should Christians simply settle things among themselves without involving the secular authorities? What is the defining difference between these different kinds of situations?

3. Various men in Book 7 were praised for their secular learning. To what extent should Christian engage in secular learning? Are some subjects/disciplines wrong or dangerous for Christians to study? Why or why not? 

4. As a follow up to the previous question, do you think it is appropriate to call some areas of learning secular? What does this seem to suggest about the nature of those studies? Is there anything that is true, good, or beautiful which does not rightfully belong to God?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Compare and contrast the Synod of Antioch with the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. What is similar and what is different? What do both of these situations teach us about how the church should be structured and how it should function beyond just the local congregation?

2. In his writings about the Easter festival Anatolius refers to “the veil on the law of Moses.” Read 2 Corinthians 3 and explain what Anatolius means by this phrase.