Partakers Christian Podcasts

Church History Part 16

Church Part 16

Debates! Decretals! Donation! Doctrinal Disputes

G’day and welcome to Partakers and to our series, HAHA – Heroes and Heretics Abound. Together we are looking at the story of the church from its origins to the Age of Reasoning in the 18th century.

Today we will look very briefly at debates, decretals, a donation and doctrinal disputes! All of which help to make up what makes Church History so fascinating!
Debates!

Use of images and pictures - During the 8th century, there was intense debate over the use of images and pictures to aid in worship. Pope Gregory 1 had allowed them to stimulate worship, but was very clear in that they were not to be objects of worship or adoration. However, they quickly became objects of worship and adoration, with the Eastern Church eventually allowed salutation and honorific worship of images, which in turn led to the strong use of images. This practise is still alive in the Orthodox churches today. The Roman Church however, have resisted their use.

The False Decretals

In about the year 850, documents, which we know to be decretals or papal orders, purporting to go back to the 1st century, were discovered. These documents, or Decretals, contained decisions and laws of the Roman bishop, the Pope, and designed to elevate the power of the Papacy. This was an attempt to prove the original power of the Pope and the bishops against the metropolitan and secular authorities.
These documents mainly consisted of material plagiarised from older writings, including genuine documents, and pieced together. The excerpts were freely altered, and at times concluded differently to the originals. Chiefly, these False Decretals safeguarded the privileges and choices of the bishops, because the bishops were the pillars of the Christian church. Therefore they deserved protection from the laity and other bishops. They were later found to be forgeries in the 15th century, but by that time they had already been well used by the Papacy. These were discovered to be a forgery in the 15th century by an Italian Catholic priest Lorenzo Valla.

Donation of Constantine

Part of these False Decretals was the Donation of Constantine, quite possibly the most famous of the Decretals. This forged document claimed that Constantine presented the Pope with the insignia of the Western Empire, giving him authority over all the Empire. However, there had been some doubt over their authenticity since the 11th century.
Here is an excerpt:

Emperor Constantine yielded his crown, and all his royal prerogatives in the city of Rome, and in Italy, and in western parts to the Apostolic See. … The Emperor Constantine the fourth day after his baptism conferred this privilege on the Pontiff of the Roman church, that in the whole Roman world priests should regard him as their head, as judges do the king.
We-together with all our satraps, and the whole senate and my nobles, and also all the people subject to the government of glorious Rome-considered it advisable, that as the Blessed Peter is seen to have been constituted vicar of the Son of God on the earth, so the Pontiffs who are the representatives of that same chief of the apostles, should obtain from us and our empire the power of a supremacy greater than the clemency of our earthly imperial serenity is seen to have conceded to it, choosing that same chief of the apostles and his vicars to be our constant intercessors with God.

And to the extent of our earthly imperial power, we have decreed that his holy Roman church shall be honoured with veneration, and that more than our empire and earthly throne the most sacred seat of the Blessed Peter shall be gloriously exalted, we giving to it power, and dignity of glory, and vigour, and honour imperial. The Pontiff, who at the time shall be at the head of the holy Roman church itself, shall be more exalted than, and chief over, all the priests of the whole world, and according to his judgment everything which is provided for the service of God and for the stability of the faith of Christians is to be administered.

Doctrinal Disputes

Eastern & Western Church Moves Apart - During this period there was also upheaval within the churches. The Eastern and Western churches moved even further apart during this period. What were some of the differences between the Eastern and Western churches?
Language – Eastern church spoke Greek, and the West church therefore spoke Latin.

Theology - There was debate over the role of the Holy Spirit. The Eastern Church believed that the Holy Spirit was sent from the Father through the Son. The Western Church believed that the Holy Spirit was sent from the Father and the Son.

Transubstantiation - Paschasius Radbertus wrote a treatise in 831 'on the Body and Blood of the Lord' defining the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This was accepted as official doctrine at the Lutheran Council in 1215.

Confession - popularised during the 8th century, and first commanded by the bishop in 763.

Priesthood - the priesthood was considerably elevated by now with the priests becoming a class of mediators between 'man and God'.

Next time we will look at the Papacy at its very height! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century.

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Church History Part 15

Church History Part 15

United We Fall?

In Europe, various barbarian factions ruled yet many held the unity of the Roman Empire in their imagination. The barbarous factions were often at war with one another, yet there was an underlying yearning that one day Europe would once again be united under a new Roman Empire! In all of this there came a time when a new centre of power arose from within the landlord aristocracy, as power was greedily gobbled up and transferred to them. Amidst this, one central figure arose the “mayor of the palace.”  The first of these we will look at is Charles Martel.

Charles Martel: The family of Charles Martel were a rising political force in France and Europe in the 8th & 9th centuries. Charles Martel had been successive in his battles against the invading Islamists, form which he got the name “Martel”, which means “The hammer”. He had hammered the Islamists from central Europe back to the Iberian peninsula.

Charles Martel had performed as well as allowed great acts of violence against the church. He did however change and sought to set about restoring the rights of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. In 723, Boniface was protected by Charles Martel, which Boniface later exuded that without such an act, he could not govern the church, prevent idolatrous worship or defend the clergy.

When Charles’ son Pepin rose to power he made a pact with the Roman Catholic church, which stipulated that whoever was in actual power should be the actual ruler. Pepin was duly appointed King of the Franks and declared himself the “Chosen of the Lord.”

Under the guidance of Boniface, the church was reformed, there was a revival of religion and education; and they became the "protectors of Rome". More was to come with the advent of Charles Martel’s grandson however.

Charlemagne (Charles the great): The next person we look at is perhaps one of the most famous in both secular and religious European history of this period: Charlemagne. When Pepin died in 768, his realm was divided between his two sons, Charlemagne and Carloman. Charlemagne became sole ruler when Carloman died suddenly in 771.

On Christmas day 800, in St Peter in Rome, Pope Leo III, crowned as the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the King of France, Charlemagne. When Charlemagne came to power, he had 3 goals in mind: military power to crush his opponents; religious power to direct his people’s religion and intellectual power to guide their intellect and minds.

The church & state were to work hand in hand, but there was a continuous struggle between emperor and pope, over who was the final authority. Charlemagne duly returned the lost provinces to the Pope. Charlemagne died after about 13 years as emperor in the year 814, but his influence remains.

His empire was vast and he had succeeded in ensuring that, at least nominally, Christianity survived. Charlemagne successors lacked the will, imagination and drive to continue in his footsteps and the empire soon descended back into chaos. Both the current German and French monarchies consider themselves to descendants of the empire of Charlemagne.

As for the church, the Holy Roman Empire, barely outlived Charlemagne, but it has, as we shall see, had a lasting influence in the revival of religion and education within Europe.

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Church History Part 14

Church History Part 14

Amidst Times of Trouble

Today we return to Europe and go back this week to the year 590 and to the work of Gregory the Great – such is his influence upon the Church and its history as well as being an supreme example of a Godly leader!

At the time, the end of the 6^th century, the Roman world is an utter mess. The city of Rome itself was in peril of extinction from floods, plagues and siege. The glories of the expanse of the Roman Empire were long gone since its collapse 300 years hence. But they were not totally forgotten. Many still dreamed of its revival, particular with the role of the Church at the centre. For a period of 6 months there was no central leader or Pope.

What was happening in Rome, was symbolic of continental Europe. Europe itself was also seemingly on the path of destruction. What was to be the catalyst for change? It was, however unlikely, to be the Church. A new age of Christian Europe beckoned. Enter a man who was not comfortable leading but was thrust into the role of Pope – Gregory the Great - One of the great Latin Fathers of the church.

Under his leadership, the church enlisted the help of monks to help win the barbarian masses to the Christian faith. Gregory also enabled the popery to provide a stable structure and influence over Roman and European affairs. He also led the church to embrace the spirituality and theology of that other great Latin Father of the church, Augustine. Because Gregory was not only able to exert an influence on the Church, but also in the political sphere, he was called ‘God’s Consul’. A title he was uncomfortable with and preferred to be known as the servant of the servant of God. This was in stark contrast to the Bishop of Constantinople who repeatedly gave himself the grand title of “universal bishop.”

While he may have eschewed such titles, Gregory did exert majestic oversight of the Church when the opportunities availed themselves. Under Gregory, monasticism flourished! No doubt because Gregory himself was a monk!

Gregory, as we learnt earlier, was key in sending Augustine to the English peoples to re-establish the church. It should be noted that there were already Christians in this land.  Gregory we read from records and letters left to the church show that he was a great encourager! These two excerpts taken from Bede’s “Ecclesiastical History of England” are good examples of this: 

‘"Gregory, the servant of the servants of God, to the servants of our Lord. Forasmuch as it had been better not to begin a good work, than to think of desisting from one which has been begun, it behoves you, my beloved sons, to fulfil with all diligence the good work, which, by the help of the Lord, you have undertaken.

Let not, therefore, the toil of the journey, nor the tongues of evil-speaking men, discourage you; but with all earnestness and zeal perform, by God’s guidance, that which you have set about; being assured, that great labour is followed by the greater glory of an eternal reward.

When Augustine, your Superior, returns, whom we also constitute your abbot, humbly obey him in all things; knowing, that whatsoever you shall do by his direction, will, in all respects, be profitable to your souls. 

Almighty God protect you with His grace, and grant that I may, in the heavenly country, see the fruits of your labour, inasmuch as, though I cannot labour with you, I shall partake in the joy of the reward, because I am willing to labour. God keep you in safety, my most beloved sons.

Given the 23rd of July, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our most religious lord, Mauritius Tiberius Augustus, the thirteenth year after the consulship of our lord aforesaid, and the fourteenth indiction."

We look now at a letter that Gregory wrote in the year 601 to the bishop of Aries, concerning Augustine : 

"To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop, Vergilius; Gregory, servant of the servants of God. With how much kindness brethren, coming of their own accord, are to be entertained, is shown by this, that they are for the most part invited for the sake of brotherly love. Therefore, if our common brother, Bishop Augustine, shall happen to come to you, let your love, as is becoming, receive him with so great kindness and affection, that it may refresh him by the benefit of its consolation and show to others how brotherly charity is to be cultivated.

 

And, since it often happens that those who are at a distance first learn from others the things that need correction, if he bring before you, my brother, any sins of bishops or others, do you, in conjunction with him, carefully inquire into the same, and show yourself so strict and earnest with regard to those things which offend God and provoke His wrath, that for the amendment of others, the punishment may fall upon the guilty, and the innocent may not suffer under false report. God keep you in safety, most reverend brother.

 

Given the 22nd day of June, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our most religious lord, Mauritius Tiberius Augustus, the eighteenth year after the consulship of our said lord, and the fourth indiction."

 Many of us could learn from Gregory’s humility, leadership and encouragement, even if we may disagree with some of his theology. That is one reason we as church need to look back at the history of the church. That’s it for this time! Next time in our series HAHA, we will look again at Europe and the re-establishment of the church there!

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Church History Part 13

Church History Part 13

Re-evangelization of Europe from Britain

Today we will discover the church in Britain reaching out into Europe!

We are now in the year 597AD of our journey through Church history! Augustine has returned to Britain! Here is an example of how Augustine helped establish Christianity in England. We take this excerpt from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of England.

Some days after, Ethelbert, the king of Kent, came into the island of Thanet, and sitting in the open air, ordered Augustine and his companions to come and hold a conference with him.

They came endued with Divine, not with magic power, bearing a silver cross for their banner, and the image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a board; and chanting litanies, they offered up their prayers to the Lord for the eternal salvation both of themselves and of those to whom and for whom they had come.

When they had sat down, in obedience to the king’s commands, and preached to him and his attendants there present the Word of life, the king answered thus: "Your words and promises are fair, but because they are new to us, and of uncertain import, I cannot consent to them so far as to forsake that which I have so long observed with the whole English nation. But because you are come from far as strangers into my kingdom, and, as I conceive, are desirous to impart to us those things which you believe to be true, and most beneficial, we desire not to harm you, but will give you favourable entertainment, and take care to supply you with all things necessary to your sustenance; nor do we forbid you to preach and gain as many as you can to your religion."

Accordingly he gave them an abode in the city of Canterbury, which was the metropolis of all his dominions, and, as he had promised, besides supplying them with sustenance, did not refuse them liberty to preach.

Christianity goes from Britain to Europe!

So Christianity in Britain was starting to flourish and grow! However following the death of Gregory the Great, the European Church started to decline rapidly. The reasons for this were:
• The growing threat of Islam;
• Moral, spiritual and intellectual decline;
• Interference by secular powers and politics in the church.

However

Not all was lost! There was help at hand – God was at work! People were sent from Britain to Europe to reintroduce the Gospel there! These Anglo-Saxon missionaries, brought with them Roman Catholic organisation and order. Here are just two examples of many of British missionaries helping to re-establish Christianity in Europe.
Celtic missionaries (Ireland, Wales). Many missionaries went to Europe. They adopted a roving style of ministry, not settling down to give their ministry a solid foundation. For example Columbanus from Ireland, founded many monasteries in France and Italy in the year 590 onwards.
This is from his writings:

“We Irish, though dwelling at the far ends of the earth, are all disciples of St. Peter and St. Paul ... we are bound to the Chair of Peter, and although Rome is great and renowned, through that Chair alone is she looked on as great and illustrious among us ... On account of the two Apostles of Christ, you are almost celestial, and Rome is the head of the whole world, and of the Churches.” 

Boniface 680-754. He was sent from England, to Frisia and Germany to spread the good news of Christianity! He is known as the Apostle to Germany, following extensive missionary work in Bavaria, Thuringa and Hesse. He was appointed archbishop of Germany in 732. In 754 he was killed in Frisia for his Christian faith. Before he had penetrated central Germany with the gospel, Christianity had not advanced far there. When Boniface arrived it was a region dominated by pagan religions and wilderness. Boniface was known for his preaching and his oratory skill and as a result the region opened up quickly to Christianity. Boniface’s mark on the Germany church would resonate down through history, well into the middle ages, as we shall see!

That’s it for this time! Next time in our series HAHA, we will return to the Holy Roman Empire – or what there was of it – looking at, amongst others, Charles Martel & Charlemagne!  

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Church History Part 12

Church History Part 12

The Birth of Islam

Today we see a new religion, some would say threat, coming towards Christianity – Islam!

 Islam is a religion strictly following one God. The adherents of Islam, Muslims, follow their book, the Koran (the verbatim words of Allah) and the Sunnah (teachings and examples give by Mohammed, the last prophet of God.)

 Background

In Arabia at the time, the religious background was like this:

• There was a strong belief held by many people in one supreme God, in the Arabic language - Allah. 
• There was however some worshipping of other gods & goddesses.
• Prime in their thinking at the time, was a form of fatalism - that everything that occurred was determined by fate or time. Nothing could be done to change things that were happening. 
• There was some Jewish and Christian influence but it was largely negated.

Mohammed 570-632

Into this comes the main man and founder of Islam – Mohammed. He was born in Mecca in 570. It was while he was seeking solitude within the Arabian Desert, that he claimed to have received messages from God, via the Angel Gabriel. Mohammed claims to have received the whole of the Koran (Moslem Scripture), which was claimed to have always existed in heaven but was now on earth. He was to be the message of Allah! Mohammed was given the task of telling others about Allah and what Allah had said in this book, the Koran. Mohammed preached from the Koran when he returned to Mecca, but was initially rejected by the masses. That was soon to change!

Mohammed's message.

• People were to believe in Allah and live in obedience to him. In particular is this key statement of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. I bear witness that Mohammed is the Apostle of God. 
• There was only one God, Allah. God could not have a Son and God was One. God most certainly was not a Tri-Unity or Trinity as believed by Christians. 
• Prayer was to be done 5 times daily and always facing towards Mecca. 
• There was to be generous giving to charity. 
• There was to be regular periods of fasting.
• During the lifetime of a follower of Islam, there was to be a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Basic beliefs

A Muslim is one who lives according to God's will as expressly given in the Koran. Islam is submission to God. Islam accepts parts of Judaism & Christianity quoting extensively from the Old Testament in the Koran. Jesus Christ is accepted as a prophet of God, but not the Son of God. Mohammed is the last and greatest prophet. They do not believe Jesus Christ was crucified and died, but that there was a substitution done for him. They do however broadly accept his miracles and virgin birth. While there are some similarities with Christianity, they miss the whole point of God's revelation to man in Christ & Christ's death for our sins. There is no plan of salvation apart from works.

Islam's spread

Despite being initially rejected by people, Islam and the message of Mohammed soon spread quickly. Raiding parties from Arabia, captured neighbouring lands and Islam became the religion of these peoples. The Islamists treated their captured people well, therefore Islam grew in acceptance. Within only 12 years, Egypt, Syria and Iraq were occupied by Muslims, quickly spreading to North Africa and Spain. The spread into Europe was checked however at the battle of Tours in 732 when Charles Martel led Christian armies into victorious battle.

For more in-depth information and knowledge about Islam, we have a series on this site and you can find that by clicking here!

Next time in our series HAHA, we will look at the church in Britain reaching out into Europe! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century.

 

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Church History Part 11

Church History Part 11

Christianity Comes To Britain

Today we will look at some of the leading figures in the growth of Christianity in Britain. ~

Ninian

Ninian was the Bishop of Galloway in South West Scotland by the end of the 4th Century. He is known to have carried out extensive missionary work in South Scotland. Hence there are many churches named after him in that area. He was born about 360 and is widely regarded as being the first Gospel preacher in a part of Britain which was not under Roman rule. Touring widely away from Galloway, Ninian preached at various missions. Much of Celtic Christianity is thought to have formed from this man’s ministry.

Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England refers to him thus “For the southern Picts, who dwell on this side of those mountains, had, it is said, long before forsaken the errors of idolatry, and received the true faith by the preaching of Bishop Ninias, a most reverend and holy man of the British nation, who had been regularly instructed at Rome in the faith and mysteries of the truth;” ~

Patrick

Patrick – (389-461) He was the Apostle to England and is perhaps the greatest name in Irish history. At 16, he was taken as a slave from West Britain to Ireland for 6 years, during which time he found God. Patrick escaped to France & trained in a monastery. Later, he returned to Britain and had a dream calling him to Ireland. Subsequently Patrick returned to Ireland as bishop in 432. From there, Patrick evangelised the majority of Ireland, founding many churches & monasteries. Few men have had such an impact on a nation. Many missionaries and mission trips later, he left Ireland to evangelise Britain & Europe. ~

Columba 521

Columba was born in Ireland in 521 and as a young man entered the Moville monastery and later ordained deacon. Columba left Ireland under dubious circumstances and he sailed north until he could no longer see Ireland. He landed at the Island of Iona, South West of Scotland, and founded the Iona monastery, a great centre of learning and missionary activity. It is known that he evangelised much of northern Scotland.

Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England writes “Columba came into Britain in the ninth year of the reign of Bridius, who was the son of Meilochon, and the powerful king of the Pictish nation, and he converted that nation to the faith of Christ, by his preaching and example. Wherefore he also received of them the gift of the aforesaid island whereon to found a monastery” Most information comes from the Vita Columbae (i.e. "Life of Columba" ). ~

Aidan

Aidan was born in Connaught, Ireland. He was educated at Leinster, later going into the Monastery of St David in Wales where he spent many years studying and researching. He later founded a monastery in Wexford, becoming its Bishop. Later responding to a call from the King, Aidan settled on Lindisfarne Island. From here, Aidan engaged in much missionary work and evangelised extensively!

Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England relates to him thus: “Aidan’s holiness of life wins from him a warm tribute of admiration. … a man of singular gentleness, piety, and moderation; having a zeal of God, but not fully according to knowledge; for he was wont to keep Easter Sunday according to the custom of his country …” Bede goes on to describe various miracles said to be done by Aidan.

That’s it for this time! Next time in our series HAHA, we will look at a new threat to the growth and well being of Christianity - Islam! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century. ~

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Church History Part 10

Church History Part 10

Christianity Comes To Britain

Origins

In the 1st century AD, the island of Britain contained various religious practices based on both pagan and Roman gods. The Roman Empire was well established and Britain was the westernmost point of the Roman Empire. ~ Christianity was first bought to England, part of Britain, by travellers and traders using well known routes through the Roman Empire. As they travelled, they came with stories from pagan mythology, as well as the story of Jesus. However, nobody knows when Christianity first arrived in Britain, although one particular story purports that Joseph of Arimithea built a church in Somerset. Joseph, you may remember was put in charge of Jesus’ body. ~

Sources

Here are 4 quotes from ancient texts about Christianity being in Britain ~ Clement or Rome 96AD - “Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity… After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and having come to the extreme limits of the west."~~~~~~

Tertullian 197 AD “By this time… [the name Christ has reached] the various confines of the moors, all the limits of Spain, the diverse nations of the Gauls, and the hunts of the Britons, inaccessible to the Romans, but subjected to Christ.” ~~~~~~

Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in the early 300s records that "the apostles passed beyond the ocean to the Isles called the British Isles." ~~~~~~

Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England - “In the year of our Lord 156, Marcus Antoninus Verus … was made emperor, together with his brother, Aurelius Commodus. In their time, whilst the holy Eleutherus presided over the Roman Church, Lucius, king of Britain, sent a letter to him, entreating that by a mandate from him he might be made a Christian. He soon obtained his pious request, and the Britons preserved the faith, which they had received, uncorrupted and entire, in peace and tranquillity until the time of the Emperor Diocletian.”

It must be said that there is however no further evidence from antiquity to back up this particular claim of Bede!

British bishops were in attendance at various Church councils: in 314 at the Council of Arles; at the Council of Nicea in 325 and the Council of Rimini in 359.

The first member of the British church we know of is St Alban. It is he who is said was martyred for his faith. More about him next time! Another person we will discover next time is St Patrick! He is perhaps one of the most famous names from these ancient times!

During the 5th & 6th centuries, however, east Britain was invaded by the pagan Angles, Jutes and Saxons from northern Europe. As a result of this persecution, the Christian church in Britain was destroyed except for West Britain, Wales. Then in 597AD Augustine landed in Britain sent on a mission – to re-establish Christianity in Britain. He started it in the South near Canterbury and proceeded out from there.

That’s it for this time! Next time we will look more closely at some of the leading figures in the early church in Britain! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century. ~

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Church History Part 9

Church History Part 9

Monastic Leaders

Last time we looked at the rise of Monasticism and the decline of the Roman Empire! Today we will look at some of the early leaders of the Monastic movement. ~

Early leaders in the Monastic movement.

Anthony 251-356. Born into a Christian family, and at the age of 18, he adopted the solitary ascetic life in the deserts of Egypt for 20 years. Many others followed his example. Anthony experienced extreme temptations of a demonic nature and often was unable to escape lustful thoughts. ~

Pachomius 292-346. Developed corporate monasticism, gathering ascetics into a community and imposing a code of discipline. These communities were self-supporting with crafts and growing food. Within the community, all personal wealth from individuals was placed into a common fund. These monastic communities were known for teaching basic literacy, reading & writing as well as Scripture memorisation. ~

Basil the Great 330-379. Bishop of Caesarea (Cappadocia). He is quite possibly the most important figure in Eastern monasticism. He developed a monasticism which was more outward looking in its perspective! His monastic communities provided medical treatment, relief for the poor and common agriculture. So important is Basil, that this is still the order within today’s Greek Orthodox Church. ~

Athanasius. We looked at this man of God in a previous study. While Athanasius was in exile in Egypt, he met with Anthony & was impressed by the monastic lifestyle which Anthony strongly promoted. ~

Martin of Tours 316-397. Martin was the main figure in early Western Monasticism. He was the Bishop of Tours, France in 372, even though he would have preferred to be devoted to the solitary monastic life. Martin established a monastery at Tours as a centre for missionary endeavour & evangelisation. ~

Benedict of Nursia 480-547. Living in Italy, Benedict provided the definitive rule of Western monasticism based on prayer, work & a high moral character. These monasteries contributed greatly to maintain spiritual welfare during the Middle Ages, in spite of their drawbacks. The Benedictine communities were extremely popular and hundreds of monasteries were established. ~

Gregory the Great 540-604. Gregory is one of the most influential men in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born into a wealthy Roman family, but he sold all his possessions, built 7 monasteries & adopted the monastic lifestyle. Gregory loved the Scriptures and was deeply devotional. He was elected as Pope in 590, and became the most powerful political & religious figure in Italy. He greatly increased the wealth & prestige of the Roman Catholic Church. In 596, he sent a missionary party to evangelise England. He called himself "servant of servants", "vicar of Christ on earth" and the successor of Peter. ~

Meanwhile, the church was spreading rapidly & the organisation within the church followed the Roman Empire governmental system. Every city was entitled to one bishop, and each province entitled to have one archbishop. Within the bishop's diocese, the hierarchy of offices was virtually the same as that of the Roman civil administration. The Church became very wealthy, particularly because it had strong State support. The Bishop of Rome, the Pope, became extremely wealthy by the end of the 5th century. The bishops of Rome, Alexandria, Constantinople, Antioch and Carthage became the most important. ~ That’s it for this time! Next time we look at the church arriving in Britain! Thanks for listening!

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Church History Part 8

Church History Part 08

Fall of Rome & Rise of Monasticism

Last time we looked at some of the critical thinkers including both heroes and heretics! We also looked very briefly the councils as the church formulated its thinking in regards to what the Gospel is and for true doctrine in a bid to counteract the indefatigable rise of heretical teaching such as Gnosticism and Arianism. 

All Emperors of the Roman Empire following the death of Constantine were nominally Christian. In the last half of the 4th Century, the northern borders of the Roman Empire were under intense pressure from invading forces - Vandals, Huns & Goths. Eventually the great city of Rome, the centre of the Roman Empire, was plundered in 410 & 455, before finally falling in 476. 

Some of the major reasons for this to occur include:

• Strong pressures from Northern tribes.
• Within the Roman Government there was a great love and passion for luxury & corruption was rife.
• There was weak leadership, as the Christians tended to avoid public life.
• The West was less wealthy than the East. While the Empire declined, the Bishop of Rome grew more powerful, and Rome became the spiritual centre of the Western Church.

~ While all this was going on, there was a new movement within Christianity. We call this the Monastic Movement. The word monk, derives from the Latin word “monachoi” which means ”people who live alone”)

~ Reasons for rise of monasticism

• In the 4th century, there was major increase in pagan influence in the Church. Many people tried a solitary life as a means of achieving a purer devotion to God without outside pressure.
• Both Eastern & Greek thinking stressed that the physical was evil and that was to be suppressed. Inevitably this flowed into Christian thinking.

~ Benefits

• Many monasteries were centres for missionary training & care for the community, by helping with medicine, agriculture & education.
• Many people did indeed achieve a genuine devotion to God, a dedication to prayer and Bible study – all of which were strongly encouraged.
• Another benefit was that it encouraged a disciplined spiritual lifestyle.

~ However as well as significant benefits as we have seen, it also brought with it severe disadvantages. ~

Disadvantages

• It meant in many cases, Christians withdrawing totally from society, and retreating from their local community, instead of ministering to and being of encouragement to their community or society.
• There arose a kind of spiritual elitism. Many joined the monasteries because it became the thing to do, "the in thing" and was seen as fashionabler. “Look how good I am by withdrawing from you to dedicate my life to prayer and worship.”
• There was a tendency to wealth & degeneration after the original founders of monasteries died.
• Many equated spirituality with physical discipline. For example, Scripture promotes marriage & the physical side of life as being given by God. It is to be enjoyed rather than nullified and suppressed.

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Church History Part 7

Church History Part 7

4th & 5th Century - Leading Thinkers and Councils

~ G’day and welcome to Partakers and to our series, HAHA – Heroes and Heretics Abound. Together we will look at the story of the church from its origins to the Age of Reasoning in the 18th century. Last time we looked at the change for Christianity under Constantine – the church changed from being persecuted to being, as some would, compromised with its new found freedom.

During this time as well, Christian thinking was being developed and clarified. There were several Councils called over the next 100 years which served that purpose. But let us look firstly at some of the leading Christian thinkers of the time, who helped formulate what we believe as 21st century Christians.

Leading Christian thinkers of the 4th & 5th Centuries

Athanasius 296-373. Deacon of the church in Alexandria, opposed Arius in the Council of Nicea. Became Bishop of Alexandria in 328. Athanasius was exiled 5 times because of his opposition to Arianism! Athanasius was the champion of orthodox Christian thinking!

Hilary of Poitiers 295-368. Bishop of the Church at Poitiers, France. He was the main defender of orthodoxy in the Western Church who opposed Arianism.

Ambrose of Milan 339-397. Ambrose became Bishop of Milan in 374 at the age of 34, and was in that role for 23 years. He was the Governor of Milan, the capital of the Empire, before being chosen as bishop by popular vote or choice. He was unbaptized, untrained, and resisted the peoples choice initially. Ambrose was noted for his courage and unbending character, completed the overthrow of Arianism in the Western church.

Aurelius Augustine 354-430. Augustine was born of a pagan father and a Christian mother in Africa. He was converted to Christianity at the age of 32 and became Bishop of Hippo in 393. He is certainly one of the greatest theologians and thinkers in the history of the church. Most of mainstream Christianity today draws upon his teachings and thoughts. He was the first to clearly explain and express the doctrine of God's grace - that salvation was a gift of God and could not be earned. He taught that there was no salvation outside of the church. However he did promote a belief in purgatory and the use of relics, which much of the evangelical church today would consider in contrast to Christian teaching.

John Chrysostom 347-407. He was known as 'John the Golden Mouth', because he was a great orator, teacher and preacher. He was the Bishop of Antioch & Constantinople in the Eastern Church.

Jerome 340-420, was born in Italy, which was part of the Western Church. Jerome translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Latin (the popular language of the day) and the Latin Vulgate which was accepted by the Roman Catholic Church as its official Latin translation for centuries. Jerome lived in Bethlehem as a hermit for 35 years, and strongly promoted the monastic lifestyle as spiritually superior.

Leo I (Leo the Great) 390-461. Bishop of Rome 440-461 was born in Tuscany, Italy. He made a major advance in acceptance of the Bishop of Rome as the universal Bishop, arguing as he did from Matthew 16:18. He was referred to as the Pope by many Bishops at the Council of Chalcedon (451), and this was largely accepted in the Western Church. This was strongly supported by the Roman Emperor, who made it an offence against the State to resist the Bishop of Rome, or Pope. As we can see by these people, Christian doctrine and thinking is continually developing. However some incorrect thinking was also invading the church. For example Arianism and the heretical thoughts of Arius were rife! Therefore over the next 100 years, various Church councils were called, not only to combat Arianism but also other heresies – some very subtle ones!

Councils of the 4th & 5th Centuries

The Council of Nicea 324 AD, called by Constantine to resolve the Arian heresy. Arius, an elder from Alexandria taught that Jesus Christ was merely a created being and denied his deity. Athanasius, a deacon in the Alexandria church, opposed Arius and supported Christ's deity. The debate raged over whether Jesus Christ should be described as 'the same essence as the Father' (homousious), or 'like essence as the Father' (homoiousios). Eventually it was accepted that Jesus Christ was 'the same essence as the Father '. The Nicene creed contains the final statement about Jesus Christ's deity.

Council of Constantinople 381 AD, was called to discuss Apollonarianism and Sebellianism. Apollonarianism was a theory proposed by Apollinaris the Younger, Bishop of Laodicea. This theory was that Jesus had a human body and a human sensitive soul but didn’t possess a human rational mind but rather a divine mind. There was the theory of Modalism or Unitarianism which proposed that the Heavenly Father, the Resurrected Son and the Holy Spirit were different modes one God, rather than three distinct persons within the Godhead. Sebellianism differed slightly from this in that Sabellius, its proposer, acknowledged that Jesus was fully God. At the Council of Constantinople, these teachings were condemned as unbiblical and therefore were heresies. The Holy Spirit was affirmed to be a person, equal with the Father and the Son.

Council of Ephesus 431 AD, was called to discuss Nestorianism, at which it was condemned as a heresy. Nestorius protested, stating that Mary was the mother of the humanity of Jesus Christ, but not of His deity. Nestorian Christians engaged in a great missionary endeavour reaching across Asia to China in the Middle Ages. The council condemned and deposed Nestorius. Eutyches, Nestorius' opponent, was deposed 20 years later with being a heretic, teaching Jesus Christ had only a divine nature and was not fully human.

Council of Chalcedon 451 AD 500 bishops met and affirmed that Jesus Christ had 2 natures, both divine and human, unchangeably united in one person. Condemned Eutyches who believed Jesus Christ had only the 1 divine nature. The heretical thoughts of Arianism, Nestorianism, Apollonarianism, Unitarianism, Modalism and Sebellianism are still in some religious thoughts today – particularly in the cults such as Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses.

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