Christian History

“Splits” in the Church

Considered the beginning of the Christian Church.

Disciples became Apostles (those sent forth)

The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they were given the gift of tongues.

They went forth and spread the gospel.

30 C.E. Pentecost

Diverse forms of Christianity are given a standard form.

Council was called together by Emperor Constantine

They developed the Nicene Creed which was accepted as a “brief statement of belief used to test orthodoxy” (Religions of Our Neighbours, by Sid Bently, 1983)

325 C.E. Council of Nicaea

The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split from one another.

Among other reasons, the Roman Catholic church believed that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) was the leader of the whole church, as opposed to one among many bishops. The Eastern Church disagreed.

The Roman Catholic church excommunicated the Eastern church, and vice versa.

1054 C.E. Eastern Schism

Differences:◦ Orthodox Church rejects

the Pope as head of the Christian Church

◦ Orthodox Church lets priests marry

◦ O.C. originally rejected Latin as the official language of the Church

◦ O.C. uses leavened bread in the Eucharist and rejects transubstantiation.

◦ O.C. uses a different calendar (holidays fall 13 days later)

Schism

Jerusalem, the Holy City, was under Muslim control and Christians could no longer go on pilgrimages.

The crusades began as military expeditions to free the Holy City.

This was a “black page” in Christian history

1095 C.E. The First Crusade

Wycliffe Huss Savonarola Martin Luther

Priests Speak Out Against Corruption

1517 CE: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on Wittenberg door, beginning a wave of protests in the church.

Religious Assertions◦ The Bible is the final authority; the Church

is not.◦ Salvation is a Gift of God; the Church

cannot dispense salvation.◦ Only God can forgive; the Church cannot

“sell” indulgences.◦ Priesthood is a calling; the Church cannot

sell the offices of the church.◦ Priesthood requires study; the Church is

responsible for capable priests.

Protestant Reformation

For the first time the Bible was available to the people.

1480 C.E. Printing Press

Scripture Alone – Bible is sole authority

Justification by Faith Alone – Your faith is more important than good deeds

Universal Priesthood of Believers – No intermediary. You have to read and understand the Bible yourself, and are responsible for your own soul.

Chief Beliefs in Protestantism

Political Assertions:◦ Church land should be tax-free; taxes should not

be paid on land.◦ The Church should not send tax money to Rome;

the money is needed in the country.◦ The Church should not interfere with politics,

particularly international politics.

Protestant Reformation (con’t)

Loyola founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Loyola and other devout Catholics took action

to reform the Catholic Church and rid it of corruption.◦ Priests became better

educated◦ Priests were more closely

supervised ◦ The practice of selling

indulgences was ended◦ The Church was infused with

new energy

1540 C.E. Catholic Reformation

1962-1965 Most recent modernization of

Catholic faith Encouraged lay-persons to

become more involved in life of church

Celebration of the Mass in the vernacular (i.e., current languages such as English, Spanish, French, etc., depending on the country) instead of Latin.

2nd Vatican Council (Vatican 2)

John XXIII and Paul VI – the two Popes of the Council