This session deals with the effect of geography on church government and theology and some of the prominent people at the time; There were 4 prominent or 'Patriarchal' churches that arose in this era of history, these were the church of Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria, when ever a problem arose in a local church that church would seek council from one of these prominent churches. Church theology was also influenced by geography for example the church at Alexandria was largely influenced by greek thinking. Some prominent figures were: Clement of Rome who believed in apostolic succession. Hermas who wrote 'The Shepherd' which was a very popular book of the time. Polycarp who was a disciple of the apostle John and fiercely confronted heretics, he was martyred. Justin Martyr was an early apologist and of course was martyred. Origen who actually mutilated his own body due to fanatacism, although he was a good man his method of interpretting scripture did a lot of damage.
