History

Augustine & the Battle for Orthodoxy: Christian History Timeline

A Christian History Timeline

In this series

Augustine’s Life

354 Born at Thagaste, North Africa

361 Experiences serious illness while in grammar school

370 Studies rhetoric in Carthage, takes a mistress

c. 371 Father dies; son Adeodatus is born

c. 372 Becomes a Manichee

376 Teaches rhetoric in Carthage

383 Sails to Rome despite Monica’s objections, becomes disillusioned with Manicheism

384 Meets Symmachus, who appoints him official orator in Milan

386 Converts to Christianity

387 Baptized by Ambrose; Monica dies

388 Establishes monastic community in Thagaste

390 Adeodatus dies

391 Ordained a priest in Hippo

392 Requests biblical commentaries from Jerome, debates Fortunatus the Manichee

c. 395 Succeeds Valerius as bishop of Hippo

397 Participates in Councils of Carthage, which defined the structure of the African church

400 Writes Confessions

c. 411 Attends Collatio (debates ending in the condemnation of the Donatists)

412 Starts 13-year work on City of God

416 At a council in Milevis, joins in condemnation of Pelagius and Celestius

419 Begins writing against Julian of Eclanum

423 Considers resigning over scandal involving Antoninus, whom he had ordained

426 Begins Retractions

430 Dies, as Vandals besiege Hippo

The Church and Its Struggles

354 John Chrysostom born

355 Donatus, schismatic bishop of Casa Nigrae, dies

356 Antony of Egypt dies

361 Valentian, an orthodox believer, becomes Western emperor, ending 30 years of rule by Arians (who believe Jesus is not divine)

373 Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, dies

374 Ambrose becomes bishop of Milan

381 Council of Constantinople affirms Nicene orthodoxy; Emperor Theodosius forbids paganism

384 Symmachus petitions for the pagan Altar of Victory; Ambrose responds and ultimately prevails

385 Jerome goes to Palestine

386 Basilicas in Milan besieged; purge of Manichees in Carthage

390 Ambrose requires Emperor Theodosius to repent for massacre at Thessalonica

c. 390 Pelagius arrives in Rome and is disturbed by immorality

395 Augustine’s friend Alypius elected bishop of Thagaste

397 Ambrose dies

401 Donatist bishop of Calama held responsible for attack on Catholic bishop Possidius

405 Edict of Unity issued against Donatists

407 John Chrysostom, twice deposed bishop of Constantinople, dies

410 Alaric (an Arian) and the Goths sack Rome

415 Synod at Diospolis judges Pelagius favorably

418 Zosimus, bishop of Rome, condemns Pelagius and Celestius; first schism between Rome and Constantinople occurs

419 Julian of Eclanum begins writing in defense of Pelagianism

420 Jerome dies

429 Vandals enter Africa

431 Council of Ephesus condemns Pelagianism

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Also in this series

Our Latest

Review

Emotions Don’t Just Happen to You

Our society tends to treat feelings as inevitable and authentic. A new book explores an older understanding in the Bible and the church.

The Bulletin

Rubio Addresses Europe, Nancy Guthrie Missing, and Summer of Our Discontent

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Rubio’s vision of a new Western century, NBC host’s mother is still missing, and Thomas Chatterton Williams on race and identity.

News

Cities Church Isn’t Alone in Experiencing Hostility

Megan Fowler

From arson to armed attacks, North American houses of faith have seen alarming acts of aggression in recent years.

Excerpt

How the Lord’s Supper Heals Church Hurt

Communion makes us face our relational conflicts.

Review

We’ve Still Got Heaven Wrong

Claude Atcho

N.T. Wright’s Homecoming hits familiar notes, but they’re still needed.

For the Forgiveness of Sins

Jared Kennedy

Through the blood of the new covenant, our slate has been wiped clean.

The Glory of Resurrection

Rechab Gray

The Resurrection not only transforms individuals but also redeems cultures with new meaning and purpose in Christ.

Confronting Christ

Rusty McKie

Repent, seek forgiveness, and walk with a limp—knowing it is the mark of God’s resurrecting grace.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube