Christianity at the Crossroads

How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church   --   Initially Christianity possessed little social or cultural influence and found itself fighting for its life.  While apostolic tradition was emerging as a "rule of faith," factions contested the nature of the gospel, and pagan philosophers found its claims scandalous.  And although its pathway was tenuous, Christianity was forming structures of leadership and worship, and a core of apostolic texts was emerging as a authoritative.  But it was the challenges, obstacles, and transitions faced by Christians in the second century that, in many ways, would determine the future of the church for the next two millennia.