Church History :Part 4 Influential Pre-Schism Thinkers The Rise of Islam and the Crusades Feudalism and the church Church History


Great Pre-Schism Thinkers :Great Pre-Schism Thinkers Tertullian Irenaeus Origen Augustine


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: Tertullian: ca.160 – ca.220 A.D. First to write Christian Latin Literature Believed the soul was not preexistent as Plato had affirmed. Sinfulness of the soul a result of inheriting one’s soul from one’s parents. Coined the term “Trinity.”


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 202) Best known for his writings arguing for the unity of God, and against Gnosticism. Jesus’ incarnation undid the original sin of Adam. Jesus is the “new Adam.” Wrote “Against Heresies.” refuting Gnosticism.


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: Origin (c. 254) Combined Platonism and Christianity. Believed in a “lower church” and in a “celestial ideal” church. Looked for “hidden meaning” in scripture. Borrowed idea from Plato of the grand division between the great human multitude, capable of sensual vision only, and those who know how to comprehend the hidden meaning of Scripture.


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Arguably the most influential Christian thinker since Paul. A Manichaean before being converted. Developed Classical Christian Philosophy Employed an allegorical way of reading scripture. Developed the Church as The City of God Developed the way many Christian doctrines are viewed today. Had a tremendous impact on the Protestant Reformation and especially John Calvin.


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: The Theology of Augustine Hell: endless punishment Original Sin – inherited guilt Divine Grace – cure for original sin Baptismal regeneration – baptism a must! Infant Baptism – therefore the necessity of infant baptism Predestination – God is Sovereign!!! Augustine Gave us the Reformation!


Pre-Schism Thinkers :Pre-Schism Thinkers A Brief Overview: Famous Quotes from Augustine: Charity is no substitute for justice withheld Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering. God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist. Grant what thou commandest and then command what thou wilt. Augustine Gave us the Reformation!


The Rise of Islam :The Rise of Islam Conquest and Crusades


The Rise of Islam :The Rise of Islam Important Events: In the 6th century AD the two great world powers were the Byzantine Empire and Persia. Both had pagan nomadic Arab tribes within them. Around 650 A.D. Mohammad founds Islam and unites various warring factions under the “god” Allah. Over time Mohammad’s followers grow and conquer new lands. In 638 Muslim Arabs conquer Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire.


The Rise of Islam :The Rise of Islam Islam: A Threat! More of a concern to the East than the West Large portions of the Eastern Church quickly became Muslim territories.  Byzantium and Constantinople itself fell to the Muslim Turks in the 15th century (1453).


The Crusades :The Crusades The Church gains the World but looses its Soul! With the rise of Islam many places in the Holy Land came under Islamic control. For centuries Christians from the West had been making religious pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Ostensibly, the Crusades were for 2 reasons: Free the Holy Land and its sacred sites from control of the infidel. Protect the Byzantine Empire against the Moslem Turks.


The Crusades :The Crusades First crusade was called by Pope Urban II in 1096. Crusades stretched over of period of 200 years. Four major Crusades although at least seven main ones were held. Not all Crusades were against Muslims. Some turned on Jews and other Christians.


The Crusades :The Crusades Some Popes’ promised that those who died in battle would receive immediate remission of their sins. During the 4th crusade in 1202 Constantinople was attacked with violence perpetrated against other Christians. The sacking of Constantinople is often seen as the final straw between East and West leading to the Great Schism.


The Crusades :The Crusades Results of the Crusades Brought the West and Muslims into contact with each other. Sack of Constantinople poisoned the relationship between East and West leading to the Great Schism in 1054. Relations between Christians and Muslims have continued to be tense and intervention in Muslim lands is seen as by Muslims as a continuation of the Crusades. Various organizations such as the Knights Templar resulted.


Feudalism and the Church :Feudalism and the Church The Power of the Church in Peasant’s Lives


The Middle Ages :The Middle Ages Feudalism Develops Middle Ages – 5th to 15th Century With the breakdown of a strong central government feudalism developed. In this system peasants came to be legally bound to live and work in one place in servitude to wealthy landowners. In return for working the land of the owner, known as the lord, these peasants, called serfs, received a crude house, a small adjoining plot of ground, a share of the surrounding fields, some farm animals, and protection from outlaws and other lords.


The Middle Ages :The Middle Ages The Church Grows in Power Under the feudal system, the Catholic Church grew in power and prestige. The Bishop of Rome (pope) claimed authority over all Christians in Western Europe. He often even appointed kings. Because the leaders of the Church were almost always nobles, they received lands and wealth from the king, and in turn from the peasants who served them. Nobility and Church Leaders were often one in the same!


The Middle Ages :The Middle Ages Imagine . . . Imagine what a poor illiterate person must have thought about a system that produced learned men who were able to wield both political and religious power. What would you have done? What poor peasants who lived in poverty must have thought about an organization that could build castle like churches?


Heresy and the Church :Heresy and the Church The Inquisition of the Middle Ages


Heresy and the Church :Heresy and the Church “False Doctrine” in the Church A.D. 1215: Pope Innocent III began to fight heresy Heresy threatened the unity of the Church If heretics could not be converted they were excommunicated and sometimes killed. Since Christians believed that certain ordnances such as baptism and partaking of the holy sacrament were necessary in order to receive salvation, being excommunicated from the Church was the same as having your soul damned from heaven.


Heresy and the Church :Heresy and the Church The Inquisition A.D. 1232 a “court” (aka: Inquisition) was established. Had the authority to seek out and punish heretics. Often heresy was charged with little or no proof. Torturous punishment led to confession or Loss of property Loss of job and ability to work in a guild Loss of titles Death!


Heresy and the Church :Heresy and the Church Some Famous Heretic Views and Persons: Waldensians: Taught against the wealth of the clergy and believed Christians should turn away from wealth. Promoted public preaching and the personal study of the scriptures Manichaeism: It was dualistic with opposing forces of light and darkness, and it was ascetic.  Celibacy was a form of perfection. Augustine was a later devotee of this sect before his conversion to the Catholic faith. Pelagianism: taught against the concept of original sin. This view was resisted by Augustine, Jerome, and later Calvin.


Heresy and the Church :Heresy and the Church Something interesting to consider . . . . Many times people ask, “Where was the true church during history? Why can’t we trace her exact historical development?” The answer to this question is complex but considering the power of Medieval Catholicism it is clear that “truth” was driven underground. Since its inception the Lord’s Church has never died. We should not worry about its visible history


Slide 25:End of Part 4