Marcella S.
During the great persecution, many priests and bishops gave in the Emperor’s demands. After the end of the persecution, it was undecided if these priests and bishops should be allowed back into the church. This dispute caused a schism in the church. While the Orthodox Church decided that the priests and bishops that gave in should be forgiven, another church called the Donatists believed that they should be exiled from the church until they fully repented. Pelagius was a Christian theologian who believed that there was no original sin and that God created the flesh. He believed that people had free will and one could save oneself if they chose to follow Gods commandments.
Optatus: Against the Donatists is a letter written by Bishop Optatus to Parmenianus, the Donatist bishop of Cartage. The letter begins with describing the difference between schismatics and heretics. Schismatics are those who have strayed from the church in anger, but have not completely left it. Heretics, however, are completely exiled fro the church and are unable to ever come back. In this way, schismatics are considered better than heretics, as schismatics at least have a chance of seeing the ‘truth’, while heretics cannot be ‘cleaned’ of their sins and ignorance. Optatus goes on to criticize the Donatists.
The way Optatus distinguishes between ‘schismatics’ and ‘heretics’ in itself discredits the Donatists beliefs, as Donatists main reason for splitting from the church was because they believed the priest and bishops who complied with the Emperor’s demands were heretics. By calling these leaders ‘schismatics’ instead, Optatus portrays them in a less harsh manner. Optatus goes on to compare Donatists to other schisms, such as one he states was “brought forth by the anger of a humiliated woman, nourished by ambition, strengthened by avarice.” The fact that it was brought on by a woman paints it in a negative light, as women were seen as weak. The mention of ambition and avarice makes the description even less flattering, as both are considered sinful. By comparing the Donatist schism to this schism, it makes the Donatists look just as bad. Optatus later states that God hates schisms, and schisms are considered worse than murder. Optatus uses biblical examples to back this statement up, such as the story of Aaron’s apostles, who were considered to start a ‘war on God’ through their schism. This turns the blame on Donatists, as their schism is what makes God angry. They are the ones who have not followed Gods orders. This diminishes the Donatists argument and makes them look like the traitors to God.
During the great persecution, many priests and bishops gave in the Emperor’s demands. After the end of the persecution, it was undecided if these priests and bishops should be allowed back into the church. This dispute caused a schism in the church. While the Orthodox Church decided that the priests and bishops that gave in should be forgiven, another church called the Donatists believed that they should be exiled from the church until they fully repented. Pelagius was a Christian theologian who believed that there was no original sin and that God created the flesh. He believed that people had free will and one could save oneself if they chose to follow Gods commandments.
Optatus: Against the Donatists is a letter written by Bishop Optatus to Parmenianus, the Donatist bishop of Cartage. The letter begins with describing the difference between schismatics and heretics. Schismatics are those who have strayed from the church in anger, but have not completely left it. Heretics, however, are completely exiled fro the church and are unable to ever come back. In this way, schismatics are considered better than heretics, as schismatics at least have a chance of seeing the ‘truth’, while heretics cannot be ‘cleaned’ of their sins and ignorance. Optatus goes on to criticize the Donatists.
The way Optatus distinguishes between ‘schismatics’ and ‘heretics’ in itself discredits the Donatists beliefs, as Donatists main reason for splitting from the church was because they believed the priest and bishops who complied with the Emperor’s demands were heretics. By calling these leaders ‘schismatics’ instead, Optatus portrays them in a less harsh manner. Optatus goes on to compare Donatists to other schisms, such as one he states was “brought forth by the anger of a humiliated woman, nourished by ambition, strengthened by avarice.” The fact that it was brought on by a woman paints it in a negative light, as women were seen as weak. The mention of ambition and avarice makes the description even less flattering, as both are considered sinful. By comparing the Donatist schism to this schism, it makes the Donatists look just as bad. Optatus later states that God hates schisms, and schisms are considered worse than murder. Optatus uses biblical examples to back this statement up, such as the story of Aaron’s apostles, who were considered to start a ‘war on God’ through their schism. This turns the blame on Donatists, as their schism is what makes God angry. They are the ones who have not followed Gods orders. This diminishes the Donatists argument and makes them look like the traitors to God.