Write a "thesis-based" persuasive esay of at least 1000 to 1200 words, related to some aspect or theme from the first half of our course regarding: 1) The Early Church, or 2) The Medieval Church. Some possible topics The Greek context for early Christianity The Jewish influence on early Christianity  The early spread of Christianity Women in early Christianity Justin Martyr's idea of Logos Spermatikos Gnosticism Constantine and the rise of Imperial Roman Christianity The Monastic movement The cult of Thecla Early theology: Irenaeus, Origin, Clement or Augustine Eastern Orthodoxy Hesychasm The development of the New Testament Canon the Arian debate The origins of the Creeds Celtic Christianity The Great (East vs. West) Schism  The Crusades and Spain The Mendicants: Franciscans and Dominicans Mysticism  Scholastic theology Medieval attempts to rationally prove the existence of God The Great Western Schism (Avignon Papacy) The Renaissance Humanism