Early.church.history.revised
-
Upload
francis-ocallaghan -
Category
Spiritual
-
view
3.138 -
download
0
Transcript of Early.church.history.revised
Early Christianity- The development of early Christian communities
Life and Times of Jesus
Homelands
Taken over
A note on dates and sources• Cross-referencing– E.g. dating Jesus’ birth– All Gospels tell us Herod the Great is King during
Jesus’ birth – Roman records=ruler of Judea 37-4 BCE – born near end of reign – the massacre of infants – Jesus born c. 6-4 BCE
– Gospels tell of a great census – common in Roman history – question Imperial census or provincial census? – c. 6-4 BCE
• Sources:– Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles • Acts written by a doctor-historian “Luke”
– Epistles – Paul and other Catholic Letters (Peter) • Important for cross-reference to Acts
– Roman sources • E.g. Tacitus Annals; Diadche (The Teachings of the
Twelve Apostles); Pliny the Younger Letters
Leadership• Disciples chosen by Jesus to spread the Word of God
(Mt 28:16-20)
• Simon Peter chosen by Jesus (Mt 16: 17-20) as
Leader of the Early Church• Pentecost, 30CE, sparks
the first preaching in Jerusalem
• Forced to flee Jerusalem for Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)
• Importance: Jesus’ message is beyond Jerusalem
• James, “the brother of Jesus”, becomes
leader of the Church in Jerusalem
(e.g. Acts 15: 13; Galatians 2: 9-12)• c.62 CE – put to
death
ACTS of the Apostles – The Jewish Origins of Christianity
• The events of Pentecost lead to receiving grace-filled courage to begin preaching (Acts 2.1-13)– Referred to as Nazarenes and identified as Jews. They form a SECT of Judaism – They still obeyed Mosaic Law: the Commandments, kept the Sabbath and the
food laws and prayed in the same way as the Jews in the Temple and Synagogues
– Their teachings were Jewish, based on the Hebrew Scriptures– Maintained the belief in REVELATION – the belief that God is revealed to
people: prophets.
– But they celebrated a Eucharist-type meal after prayers, usually in someone’s house and practiced baptism (ACT 2.37-42)
– performed miracles (ACTS 3.1-10)– communal sharing of goods (ACTS 4: 32-37)
Reaction = Persecution • The Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem
become frustrated that Jesus’ message has continued and afraid of Roman repercussions– ACTS 4 (Peter and John before the Council)– ACTS 5.17-42 (The Apostles are persecuted – flogging of
Peter and John)• Stephen – First Martyr – c. 35 AD – stoned to death by Jews for
teaching Jesus’ words to Jews and Gentiles (ACTS 7.54-60)– Results in Stephen’s followers begin to preach the
Gospel to whomever would listen
St Paul
– Pharisee educated, Roman citizen, Jew– Persecuted the Church in Jerusalem – present at
Stephen’s stoning – Conversion (ACTS 9) (c. 35-36 CE) – Great Missionary of the Church– Apostle to the Gentiles
• Importance of Letters– Gives insight in Paul, into the Christian community,
the spread of Christianity, teachings of the early Church, issues within the Church
Divisions between Judaism and Christianity• Council of Jerusalem 49 AD
– The missionary work of Peter, Paul and the other disciples spreads Christianity beyond Palestine to the Gentiles (non-Jews)
– PROBLEM: did the new converts, the Gentiles, need to be Jewish first and thus circumcised and follow the dietary laws of the Torah, before baptism?
• DIVISION: converted-scribes and Pharisees claimed that circumcision was necessary and crucial to the law of Moses VERSUS Peter, Paul and other missionaries
• DECISION: As long as the new converts abandoned pagan idols, followed God’s commandments and were committed to Jesus’ teachings and ministry, Gentiles could be baptised and receive salvation
• SIGNIFICANCE: The decision to preach to BOTH GENTILES AND JEWS signals separation from Judaism
• SIGNIFICANCE: Made it easier for Gentiles to convert to Christianity and for Christianity to spread• Reactions:
• Jews – disbelief that the Law of Moses was being ignored. Increased hostility to Christianity • Gentiles – gained a sense of equality with Jewish converts • Reinforced by the failed revolt (66-70), destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans 70
AD and the Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews
• ESTIMATES: By 100 CE , there were 500, 000 Christians spread throughout the empire, representing 1% of the Roman population
Spreading the Word• St Paul’s Journeys
Well established
and maintained
road and sea
networks
Common Language:
Greek
The Roman Empire was peaceful at this time – enabling safe and secure travelling
Christians were preaching a simpler and more personal message that attracted many people
Christians cared for the sick during epidemics as well as the poor and
widows
Women were treated
with more respect in Christian
communities – marriage and family
life was more stable
The Persecutions• Two directions: Jewish
and Roman – Jewish examples: Saul of
Tarsus and the Stoning of Stephen
• Roman: – Emperor Nero - Blamed
the burning of Rome on the Christians in 64 CE – martyred in the streets
and in gladiatorial combats
Constantine• Emperor Constantine’s Conversion (312 AD)– Emperor of the entire Roman Empire– Legitimised Christianity – and became the state
religion (Edict of Milan 313 AD)• Council of Nicaea 325 AD– In response to theological arguments within the
Church– Affirmed the teaching of the trinity: three Persons
in the One God: FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT
• Moves the Roman capital to Byzantium in the East – renamed Constantinople – modern Istanbul– Two centres of Christianity emerge:
Constantinople and Rome– According to tradition: • the leader of the Church was the Bishop of Rome –
Peter had been the first • Followed by the Bishop of Constantinople• Followed by Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandra • These were the Patriarchs of the Church
Constantine
From Outlaws to the State Religion• Many rushed to be baptised • Building of public churches –
Basilica of St Peter in Rome – Sancta Sophia in Constantinople
• Increased power and influence of the Bishops and local clergy
• In the East: richer and more powerful
• In the West: The bishop of Rome was the recognised successor of St Peter
Fall of Rome• Barbarian Hordes • 410: Sacking of Rome
East-West Schism 1054 CE
• Political Causes – In the West, the Bishop of Rome (now referred to
as the Pope) took on more leadership duties – In the East, the Patriarch of Constantinople was
intricately linked with the Emperor
formal separation from the unity of
the Church
Cause West EastLanguage Latin GreekAuthority Claimed authority based on their
decedent from St Peter, the first Bishop and leader of the Apostles
Claimed authority as the Patriarchs of the capital of the Roman EmpireOr at least equal authority
Eucharist and Sacraments
-Hymns were translated into Latin-Altar remained out the front and visible to all
- Emphasised the mystery of the Eucharist concealing the altar behind decorated screens: “iconostasis”
Holy Images
- Portraying holy images remained allowable
-Debate arose-Periods were depicting holy images was banned-Re-emerged as flat images, paintings, mosaics, or shallow carvings – called icons-NO STATUES
Ministers - Increasingly insisted on celibacy -Ordained married deacons into the priesthood
Nicene Creed
-Debate about the status of the Holy Spirit-Originally, the creed stated “who proceeds from the Father” but later added “and the Son”
- Fiercely opposed the addition of “and the Son” and refused to include it
Doctrine of Papal Jurisdiction
• The Catholic Doctrine that the Pope and the Church of Rome (Apostolic See) retained overall authority due to their unique position as heirs to St Peter
East-West Schism 1054• Mutual Excommunication
• East: Orthodox Christianity• West: Catholicism
being cut off from the sacraments and the life
of the Church