Comparative Theology (Dec 2021)
The Confrontational and Mainstream Christianity and Montanism
Abstract
Extended Abstract Throughout the history of Christianity, various movements, such as Gnosticism, Arianism, Monarchianism, Sabellianism, and other sects have lived together. Meanwhile and in this sectarian milieu, a converted Christian known as Montanus founded a new movement called "New Prophesy", "Phrygian heresy", and "Montanism". This new sect, in the first place, was not opposed by church authorities; rather, it gradually opted anti-church tendencies and stood against representatives of mainstream Christianity. However, Montanism rapidly spread across Asia Minor and attracted many people, including some women. According to the accounts of the Church Fathers, Montanism appeared as a new movement in Phrygia located in modern Turkey in the 2nd century and continued to spread across the ancient world. Nonetheless, the new movement declined in the 6th century. Contrary to the early Christian so-called heretical sects, the opposition between Montanism and the representatives of mainstream Christianity did not result from the Trinitarian and Christological doctrines. This sect, which was known as "New Prophesy", mainly agreed with church authorities regarding the soundness of the Holy Bible, the world after death, and the doctrine of the Trinity. However, for various reasons, the church authorities took action against Montanists and excommunicated them. Montanism merged with Millennialism, while Montanists were now waiting for the coming of the end of times. Perhaps, the current situation, Jewish apocalyptic writings, and the book of Revelation resulted in millennial doctrines among Montanists. Montanist prophets and prophetesses enthusiastically began to proclaim the end of times and asked people to leave their homes, wives, and families and be ready to face such apocalyptic events. Influenced by such apocalyptic visions, these future tellers uttered some "paradoxical sayings" that caused the Church Fathers' opposition. The prophets even called themselves "Paracletes". Contrary to their anticipation, the world did not reach its end and for this reason, the church authorities condemned them as "false prophets". Moreover, Montanist future tellers introduced Pepouza rather than Jerusalem as the center of Messiah's millennial rulership and differently approached certain doctrines like martyrdom so that caused a kind of confrontation with the representatives of mainstream Christianity. More importantly, the prophets' "ecstatic utterances" and their identification with "paraclete" resulted in the Montanists’ condemnation. Thus, the opponents labeled them as those, who had been possessed by evil spirits. Nevertheless, during his final years, Tertullian, an important Latin Church Father, converted to Montanism and spread it extensively. Examining his Montanist ideas requires further studies.
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