In 100 A.D., Christianity was practiced only by a small, oppressed minority. Three hundred years later, these facts had changed dramatically, and Christianity had gone beyond simple approval and acceptance to become one of the world's major religions. But this change did not happen easily. The imperial government of Rome, intellectual tradition and battles within the church itself influenced the transformation. Every viewpoint had its champions and opponents, some of whom had a decisive influence on what shape the church would take. Whether they were ""defenders of the faith"" or those whom history later labeled heretics, they were part of the early evolution of Christianity. Focusing on the years 100-400 A.D., this volume discusses the beliefs and behaviors of more than 50 key and representative figures who played a role in the transformation from primitive Christianity to early Medieval Catholicism. Beginning with the 2nd century Church, it examines the influence of imperial rulers such as Constantine, proponents of the intellectual tradition including Gregory of Neocaesaria and Julius Africanus, and early Bible translators such as Tatian, Origen and Jerome. The work provides an overview of each person's life and in-depth treatment of their influence on the controversies and issues that divided the community of faith over time. The process behind these divisions as well as the typical reactions of different personalities is also a part of this fascinating look at Christian history.