From Pentecost to Constantinople: Early Church History and Theological Developments

1. Part I: Pentecost to the Western Schism

2. Introduction To This Talk • “Church” defined as the Institution, not you and me as the Body of Christ • Focus is a broad spectrum of events in secular history that intersect with history of Church Specifically NOT on individual spirituality or the individual experience of God • Story-telling style – personal perspective from the 21st century – fun • Fast paced – only hitting some highlights • 500 Year Cycles

3. The Jesus Movement Immediately after His Resurrection • The “Twelve” – eye witnesses • Mary, his Mother • His “Brothers” (relatives) • Friends who Knew Him well • Mary Magdalene, Mary & Martha of Bethany • Believers who were not • eyewitnesses of Jesus • Historians and Scribes • Community of “Disciples”

4. The Church Begins: Pentecost The “Birthday” of the Church • Believers in Hiding • Gathered for Fellowship • Praying about what to do • Holy Spirit – Tongues of Fire • Went Public in a Big Way • Spoke in many tongues! • Peter converted 3000 in • one day in the streets

5. What was the early Church like? House Churches • No Formal Priesthood – Home Owners • Simple, warm, hospitable: welcome table • Mostly Jews who also went to synagogue • Shared Jesusstories; and broke bread • Initiation was simple and swift; households baptized • Growth quick – spread to many homes • Eventually necessitated going public

6. Early Christian Beliefs • Jesus’ Second Coming was Imminent! • Jesus was the Messiah – fulfillment of prophecies • The Coming of the Kingdom or Reign of God proclaimed every possible chance • Must be Jewish to be Christian? • Tolerated by some Jews, rejected by others • Shared all goods in common • Community of Believers was important but didn’t really connect with outsiders until. . .

7. Evangelization in the Apostolic Era 30 – 100 A.D. Peter, First Leader, Pope Paul of Tarsus. Missionary to Gentiles James, the “Brother” of Jesus; Leader of Church in Jerusalem

8. Missionary Movement to Cyprus, Greece, Asia Minor (Turkey) See: Acts of Apostles Spread of Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) John Mark Paul of Tarsus Barnabas

9. Organization Happened. . . • Sacraments besides Baptism & Eucharist • Initiation Process became longer and more formal • Hierarchy – ordination of bishops, priests, deacons • Development of Theology • Development of Dogma, Doctrine, Ritual AND WITH IT, THE EVOLUTION OF MISCONCEPTIONS AND HERETICAL BELIEFS: • Gnosticism, Arianism, Manicheism (and many other “isms”) – Confusion and Disagreement

10. Basic Faith Formation • At liturgy and gatherings – Long sermons on the Scripture, kerygma (Jesus’ proclamation) • Word of Mouth – The common folk were illiterate; did not own books • Converts had sponsors who guided and mentored them • Sacred beliefs and prayers were not shared until the community was sure a convert was serious • Church went underground out of fear

11. Persecutions – First 3 CenturiesChristianity was Illegal in Roman Empire Emperors Nero, Diocletian, Trajan and others brutally hostile to Christianity; many believers tortured and killed because they refused to worship the Emperor. The Coliseum in Rome (not the one in LA)

12. Yet, Christianity Grew! • Beginning of 4th Century – Population of Roman Empire = 50 million • 1st Century = ½ million Christians • 2nd Century = 2 million Christians • 3rd Century = 5 million Christians • 4th Century = 10 million plus! • Why? What happened?

13. Christianity Declared Legal in 325 C.E.by Emperor Constantine • Edict of Tolerance • Edict of Milan • “Constantinian Christianity” prevailed; • Church and State are One • Capital of the empire moved from Rome to Byzantium in Turkey • City Renamed Constantinople (modern day Istanbul); far-reaching consequences

14. New Role for Christian Church As A Political Safeguard for Empire • Coalition built based on common interest • Strengthened Unity of Faith of Church • Strengthened Unity and Future Stability of Political System of Empire • Far-reaching consequences of Partnership • Emperor is now protector of Church • Pope is now protector of Emperor’s “divine right” to lead and govern; Emperor crowned by Pope in Church! • Emperor governs both Church and State; calls councils to settle theological disputes

15. Many Theological Issues Arose • Monotheism (There is only ONE God) was generally accepted so when Jesus came along there were MANY QUESTIONS! • How does God becoming man fit in to theology? Truly God? Truly man? • Who or what is the Holy Spirit? • How can there be three persons in one God? • Explanations and squabbles abound. Unity threatened! Something had to be done!

16. 325 – Council of Nicea • Historic! First post-apostolic ecumenical council of the Christian community • Called by Emperor Constantine • Focused on divinity of Christ in response to Arian heresy: “Jesus is a creature, therefore there was a time when He did not exist.” • Church leaders formed a creedal statement of belief recognized universally: AKA: The Nicene Creed • Canon of New Testament was formed

17. 381 – First Council of Constantinople • Focused on Divinity of the Holy Spirit (in response to Macedonian heresy); • Amended and ratified the Nicene Creed, • Result: Creed used by Christian churches around the world. 

18. More Organizing. . . 431 - Council of Ephesus –Called to settle the argument about the divine motherhood of Mary (in response to Nestorian heresy); 451 — The Council of Chalcedon - Called to settle the argument over the two natures of Christ, human and divine, called the “hypostatic union.”

19. Apologists To the Forefront Justin Martyr Clement of Alexandria

20. St. Augustine of Hippo – 354-430 AD • Manichean Philosopher and Teacher in Northern Africa • Major conversion to Christianity in his late twenties with the help of Ambrose • Prolific writer, teacher • Bishop of Hippo by Acclamation • Greatly influences Church Theology Reading Suggestion: The Confessions of St. Augustine Some of the most beautiful prose ever written about the heart’s journey into believing in Jesus

21. 400 – 1000 A.D. Rapid GrowthAmidstConflict, Heresies, Basilicas, Monasteries, Theology, Saints & Sinners

22. Rome Sacked in 410 ADBy Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals (Germanic Tribes) • Tribes Migrate; Arian Heresy Spreads • Arian churches spring up everywhere • Some were tolerant of “Catholic” Church in Rome but most seen as threat to survival; conflict! • Orthodox Christians clung to the faith of the Councils but were in the minority and anxious • Pope Leo I – papal authority increased when he turned away Attila the Hun from the gates of Rome in 455

23. The Dark Ages Begin • Barbarians on the streets of Rome • Illiteracy, Ignorance and Lawlessness • Some eventually adopted Christianity but they also adapted it • Heresies and misconceptions abound! • Pope Gregory I steps up to “save” the day

24. Rise in MonasticismSt. Benedict and St. Gregory • Laity stripped of any church governance • Christianity preserved by monks, nuns, brothers and sisters in monasteries • Anyone serious about spiritual life went there • Ordered, intellectually stimulating life

25. Rome was proven to be protected by God’s grace – built on strong foundation • Christianity Steps Up to Save Western Civilization and to Restore Order • Western church (located in Rome) focuses on re-building political structure of society • Spiritual matters focus on status quo

26. The Middle Ages: Charlemagne& the Carolingian Dynasty 800 AD - crowned emperor by the Pope • The first recognized emperor in Western Europe since the  Fall of Rome (and he was French) • Unified Europe for first time • Went to war and enlisted the Pope to help build his armies – formed a partnership • Development of universities, architecture, art, agriculture, etc. • Empire grew and flourished through descendents

27. Church Growth – East and West

29. Eastern Roman Empire • Was the continuation of theRoman Empire in the East centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, originally founded as Byzantium). • Eastern empire was the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in Europe. • Was unaffected by the Western problems • Church continued to flourish • Deepening of Theology,

30. Unfortunate Result Development of a Christian Church with Two Hearts: Two distinct communities who didn’t recognize each other East: ConstantinopleWest: Rome

31. East/West Disputes Arise WHO HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE CHURCH? WHO SETTLES THEOLOGICAL ISSUES? Pope in Rome? Patriarch in Constantinople? UNFORTUNATE RESULT: ANIMOSITY! Excommunicate Each Other in year 1054

32. The Great Schism of 1054 • Patriarch Forbid Eastern Church to perform Latin Rite; renewed the liturgy in Greek • Patriarch declared the Eastern Church “orthodox” Christianity, NOT under Roman Rite any longer • First time: CHURCH DIVIDED!! (Some Eastern Rite Churches Refused to separate and stayed under the Pope)

33. Monks, Friars, and Other Holy People • Church in both East and West had Holy People St. Francis Of Assisi St. Claire Of Assisi St. Benedict St. Bernard

34. Meanwhile. . .7th Century - Takeover of the Middle East and North Africaby Islamic Armies • Unification of Arabia in 622 by Mohammed • Also conquered Syria, Palestine, Armenia, Egypt, and North Africa • Spread outward to India and Asia • Result: A further weakening of East/West Christianity

35. Rise of Islam and Capture of the Holy Land • Mohammed’s Mission is Successful • Muslim occupation of Holy Land • Western Church Enraged! • Something must be done!! • Pope Urban II Declares a “Holy War” to unite the church and get back the sacred places

36. The Crusades 1096-1270 A.D. • “Holy War” = “God wills it” • Rise of the Knights Templar • Many People joined the cause • Result: DISASTER! • Crusaders pillaged their way to East, killing thousands in their path, including Jews, non-believers and other Christians • Crusaders sacked Constantinople (killed Eastern-Rite Christians); did not recognize them? • Eastern Church enraged! Separation widens.

37. The Inquisition (12th Century) • Heresies again! • Pope Innocent III – permitted searching out people accused of heresy (there were many!) • Pope Gregory IX established a tribunal for it • Inquisitors: would hear cases and impose punishments on those found guilty

38. Roman Catholic Church Weakens Once a powerful, united system, connected to the State through Pope and Emperor was slowly changed by politics, culture, and religion. . . • Eastern Schism • Crusades • Inquisition • THEN, SOMETHING NO ONE COULD PREDICT HAPPENED:

39. The Black Death (Bubonic Plague)1347-1350 • Struck every country in Europe killing almost one half of the population • 100,000 in Venice • 80,000 in Siena • 57,000 in Marseille • 80,000 in Paris • England, Spain, Switzerland, Rhine Valley, Scandinavian Countries

40. Despair Everywhere! • Medieval Life was never the same! • Church was NOT the same either. . . • Many of the clergy died • Negative attitudes prevailed – where was God? • Somberness of liturgy and theology • Need to find meaning and hope in it

41. Hope Prevailed in the Darkness Many saints and mystics St. Teresa of Avila St. John of the Cross St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Thomas Aquinas

42. Vying for Power: The Antipopes • An antipopeis a person who, in opposition to the one who is generally seen as the legitimately elected, makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope. • At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were supported by a fairly significant faction of clergy and lay people. • They are historical, so they are written into the lists of popes.

43. The Western Schism 1378-1417 Summary of What Happened: • Seat of Papacy moved to Avignon, France in 1305 for political reasons • Remained there for 70 years • Lots of conflict and corruption • 7 legitimate popes, and 1 antipope resided there

44. All Frenchmen! Clement V, John XXII, (Nicholas V), Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI

45. Events of the Great Western Schism • Pope Gregory XI moved Papacy back to Rome in 1378 and then died; • Pope Urban VI elected • French (and others) hated him so they elected another pope: • Clement VIII – who moved back to Avignon

46. Two Popes in Two Places1378-1417 Roman Line Urban VI Boniface IX Innocent VII Gregory XII Avignon Line Clement VII Benedict XII Clement VII Benedict XIV

47. Enough Already! TWO POPES? WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY? • In Both Rome and Avignon, the Popes supported by clergy and regions • Schism widens • What to do? Call a Council? • Which Pope would do that? • Only Popes can call councils? • Issues debated

48. Then there were three. . . Cardinals call Counsel of Pisa Alexander V elected followed by John XXIII WILL THE REAL POPE PLEASE STAND UP? • Council of Constance Called • John XXIII is deposed (declared an antipope) • Pope Gregory in Avignon resigns • Martin V Elected • Seat of Papacy moved back in Rome • Schism over! But not the effects

49. Effects of Eastern Schism, Crusades, Inquisition, Bubonic Plague, Great Western Schism • WEAKENING OF THE PAPACY • WEAKENING of AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH • UNREST. . .DOUBT. . .FEAR • A SPLINTERING CHURCH MUCH BIGGER SPLINTERING TO COME!

50. TO BE CONTINUED. . . NEXT WEEK: HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, PART II THE RENAISSANCE, THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION AND ON TO MODERN ERA