The earliest summaries of Christian theology were lectures to prepare people for baptism. Our organization of key themes of Christian teaching will depend heavily on the thought sequence of those most influential early summaries by Cyril of Jerusalem (Catechetical Lectures), Gregory of Nyssa (The Great Catechism), John Chrysostom (Baptismal Instructions), Rufinus (Commentary on the Apostles’ Creed) and Augustine (Catechizing of the Uninstructed and On Faith and
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