"Montanism, Mysticism Early Christianity" Dr Rietveld Zoom Talk-Jan 8, 8pm

Ancient Culture buffs and Mystics, join us for professor Dr. James Rietveld's Zoom talk "Montanism, Mysticism & Early Christian Prophecy" for Ipso Facto on Thursday, January 8, 2026, 8 pm.

Pay What You Wish. Sorry no refunds.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977731819110

Around the middle of the second century CE, the ecstatic and prophetic movement known as “Montanism” erupted in Phrygia, a Roman province located in the more culturally “wild” interior of Asia Minor, a region already well known for more ecstatic forms of religious expression.

The movement was originally called the “New Prophecy,” and founded by the prophet Montanus, whom many claim was either a priest of Apollo or Cybele before his conversion to Christianity. They proclaimed that the end of the world was coming, with the arrival of the New Jerusalem happening soon and landing actually in Phrygia. In addition to Montanus, leadership was also focused upon two prophetesses, Priscilla and Maximilla.

In fact, in general, spiritual leadership was focused upon those with the gift of prophecy; a gift emphasized by the original three-tired leadership model for the Early Church was that of Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers. But this structure was giving way to the more settled church positions of Bishop, Presbyters and Deacons in the second century, for the prophetic gifts were often deemed as too threatening to the rising ecclesiastical structure.

Furthermore, the gift of prophecy was a leadership position open to all inspired by the Holy Sprit, inclusive of women, which, again, challenged the rising patriarchy of the Church—and so many women were Montanists.

They were more rigorous in their ethical beliefs, encouraging even chastity. Finally, the Montanist movement was based upon Johannine Christianity, a form of Christianity focusing upon the Gospel of John, which had become very unpopular to the Church of Rome in the second into the early third centuries CE. Montanism blazed brightly for a time, even making the famous Tertullian a follower, but, eventually, the movement was condemned by the Church of Rome and thoroughly persecuted by the Emperors of Rome, leading to its eventual demise.

Join us for this fascinating talk about this little discussed topic.

This lecture will be posted on the Dr. James Rietveld Salon Lecture You Tube channel, where you can also watch previous lectures: dr.jamesrietveldsalonlectu2903

Dr. James Rietveld is a professor at CSU, Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona, CA of History, Anthropology, Religion with a PHD from Claremont School of Religion, is author of two books, and can be seen on History channel's "Crazy Rich Ancients."