The First Christian Centuries: Montanism

The rise of Montanism was important in the history of the early Church. This prophetic movement survived for centuries after its beginnings in the second half of the second century and was a challenge to the developing Catholic tradition. Montanism looks at its teachings and the response of other Christians to it. To an unusual degree Montanism allowed public religious activity and church office to women. This is the first study of the movement in English since 1878. It takes account of the scholarship of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Sometime in the second half of the second century Montanus, a newly baptized Christian
in Phyrgia,began tp prophesy.He was quickly joined in this by two women,Priscilla and Maximilla.These three formed the leadership of a group of followers who rapidly became a disturbing presence in the Church and,eventually in some areas,an independent sect.