The increasing complexity of Christian doctrine in the fourth century occurred due to:
A) a belief that Christians could arrive at an absolute understanding of the world and everything in it.
B) the conversion of many Stoic philosophers to Christianity.
C) a powerful Roman pope who dictated a complex system of belief to his followers.
D) the Christian response to a series of pagan emperors who persecuted Christians and attacked their theology.
E) the need to show that Christianity was superior to Hellenistic theology.

Question

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The fourth century was a time when Christianity was competing with Hellenistic religion and philosophy, and so it became necessary for Christian theologians to demonstrate the superiority of Christianity. This led to an increasing complexification of Christian doctrine, as Christian thinkers sought to articulate a distinct and coherent system of belief that could stand up to scrutiny in intellectual debates.

The Increasing Complexity of Christian Doctrine in the Fourth Century