WORLD CHURCH HISTORY I. WORLD DENOMINATIONS: There is one major line of demarcation within the Christian church: Either a Christian is Catholic or Protestant or within the Protestant division of Christianity, there are primarily five major divisions or families of Denominations: • 1. Orthodox - Eastern Byzantine empire - primarily represented by Greek and Russian Orthodox churches • 2. Unity of the Brethren - began by secret small study groups formed by John Hus - Half of which left to join the Moravians - both groups are still in existence today. • 3. Lutheran - started by Martin Luther and although some Lutheran pastors have left to join or start other movements, there has been no significant denominations that trace their roots to Lutherans. This is to the Lutherans credit. • 4. Anglican - Most denominations trace their roots to this branch: Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc. • 5. Reformed - A large number of denominations consider the Reformed church as their historical foundation: Presbyterians, Amish, Evangelical Free, and CM and A There are seven major families of denominations which comprise the Biblical Historical Christian faith: Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Four Protestant Families. A. Oriental Orthodox - Not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox denominations - the Oriental Orthodox churches broke off in the earliest of schisms in Church history. Some were Nestorians, others were "monophysites" (a complex understanding of Christology unfairly declared heretical). This family still has a representation of denominations dating back to the third century - Coptic Christians in Egypt (heavily persecuted by Muslims), Church of India (established by the Apostle Thomas), Armenian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (possibly dating as far back as the Biblical encounter between the Apostle Philip and the influential Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. B. Roman Catholic - This group emerged distinctive at the point of the Great Schism in 1054, but had been forming for hundreds of years via the dogma of "Papal Primacy" originally introduced by Leo, then the head of the Church at Rome, who fought to establish Rome as the "primary see" and its Bishop as the "primal Papacy" (which of course at the time, was none other than himself!) He would emerge from this contested ecumenical council as "Pope Leo", the first to be referred to by that title with the meaning of "Primal Papal Office". This office would be further solidified in the west by the combination of church and state with the Pope appointing Kings and emperors and Kings and emperors influencing who would be "Pope". The office of "Pope" would begin to be authoritatively enforced under Pope Gregory the Great (c.AD 600) and the iron-fisted reign of the popes would start to wane with the introduction of the Waldensians (earliest reformers) and the office would become a laughing stock in the Christian world with the "Great Papal Schism" of the 14th century where the Roman Catholic church had THREE Popes at once - none of which wanting to give up their authority! C. Eastern Orthodox - Eastern Byzantine empire - began forming alongside the "Roman Church" with the division of the Roman Empire into east and west. The Eastern church - primarily Greek and North African, spoke a different language, enjoyed a different culture, and eventually held to a different governance ecclesiology over time. The emphasis of the primacy of see of Rome and its Bishop as possessing chief papal authority (Pope) the Eastern Orthodox Church had already begun to operate independently of Rome. The final spark occurred with the addition of the filioque (from the Son) to the Nicene Creed which led to sharp criticism of the Roman Church with Patriarch Michael Cerularius accusing Pope Leo IX of overstepping his authority. The Pope was incensed and sent Cardinal Humbert to deliver a Papal Bull excommunicating Cerularius. Cerularius in turn, excommunicated Cardinal Humbert, AND Pope Leo IX who sent him. Both East and West churches emerged separate and distinct and have not rejoined since. This has come to be known as the "Great Schism" of 1054 AD. However it should be called the Great Schism of the 3rd - 11th centuries! D. Protestant (Four Family 'sub' groups) - A term used to describe those Christians who sought to "reform" the Roman Catholic Church. Contrary to popular misnomer, the word did not arise as a result of "protesting" the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church. Rather, the etymology of "Protestant" is tied to a group of German princes, civic centers, and authorities all of whom voiced their dissent from the Diet of Speyer which was decidedly against Luther reforms. It has since come to be known as a term for "anti papist" groups and although it primarily referred to German reformers (Lutherans) and the term "Reformed Churches" referred to Swiss and French reformers, the term protestant has today come to represent all denominations besides the Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox denominations. 1. Pre-Reformers - These are the groups of believers which broke from Roman Catholic oppression prior to Luther's German Reforms a. Waldensians - Founded by Peter Waldo, perhaps the earliest of all true reformers. Waldo decried the lavish lifestyle of monks and priests amidst the squalor of the common people. He petitioned for the Scriptures to be translated from Latin (educated tongue) to French - the language of the common people. He also believed in preaching in the common language as well. The Roman Catholic Church for some strange reason believed that all masses should only be "said" in Latin language which most common people could not understand. Waldo also believed in personal evangelism. His efforts would earn him infamous hatred and notoriety that would dog his followers, the Waldensians, for centuries BEYOND the great reformation! The Waldensians are perhaps the most persecuted Christian denomination in Church history, mostly due to their challenge of the Roman Catholic Pope's authority. b. Moravians or Unity of the Brethren - began by secret small study groups formed by John Hus, the Czech pre-reformer - originally called "Hussites", they closely mirrored the reform teachings of John Wycliffe who died prior to Hus' martyrdom at the hands of the Roman Catholic faith. Half of the "Hussites" or "Unity of the Brethren" fled the persecution of Czechoslovakia to join the Moravians - both groups are still in existence today. 2. Lutheran - started by Martin Luther and although some Lutheran pastors have left to join or start other movements, Lutherans have tended to produce other varieties of Lutherans but there have been no other significant denominations that broke from the Lutheran tradition and subsequently trace their roots to Luther. This can be considered a credit to Lutheran unity. 3. Anglican - Began as a state issue and not a doctrinal issue, King Henry VIII "seceded" from Roman Papal authority, declaring himself as "Head of Church and State". The Church of England would endure hardship at the hands of the Roman Catholic Mary Stuart or "Bloody Mary" but eventually, reformers like Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and compromiser Elizabeth I would bring about distinction for this Christian family. Most denominations trace their roots to this branch: Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc. 4. Reformed - A large number of denominations consider the Reformed church as their historical foundation: Presbyterians, Amish, Evangelical Free, and Christian and Missionary Alliance. The Original Christian Church 30 A.D. This is the root from which all of the denominations, listed below, had emerged. The earliest Christian church was established by Jesus Christ and richly developed by His disciples and especially the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. It began as a Jewish sect and its members were referred to as "Followers of The Way". Which was based primarily on Jesus' own words in John 14:6 "I AM the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me”. In the book of Acts, the Bible reports that these "Followers" were called "Christians" for the first time in Antioch. It was a derisive term which meant "little Christs". The name given in derision was a perfect fit for what true Christianity represented: being a smaller version i.e. representative or imitator of Christ, so the name was a hit among Christians and it stuck. As with all sects that grow in size, worldwide presence, and widely differing and independent doctrine from the "Mother" faith, Christianity ceased to be considered a Jewish sect (mostly by the declarations of the Jews to the Roman authorities) and the Christian faith became known as its own world religion. Similararly divisions over theological and liturgical practices would see this young sect emerge as a world religion in its own right. Similar paths from "sect" to "world religion" took place among the Buddhists, Jainists, and Sikhs. Contrary to popular belief, Christians hold that the "true" church is not a building, nor does it necessarily pertain to a specific group of attendees, but is comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus of the Bible for the forgiveness of their sins and subsequently look to Him as the author and giver of life and life eternal. To get a more well-rounded definition of church and religion here we have a quick contrast between a Christian Biblical versus the secular understanding: A. Definitional Compare and Contrast of Church and Religion 1. Biblical – Matthew 16:18-19 – “this” rock – Peter’s testimony a. “this” rock (not on Peter the man) b. Gates of Hell will not prevail c. Keys to the kingdom - elements to gain ‘entry’ d. Binding and loosing - speaks of doctrine not demons. B. Essentials vs Non-essentials - From Heresy to Apostasy 1. Essentials - Affects Justification, Sanctification & Glorification a. God’s Triunity: Trinity b. Theanthropos – Deity/Humanity of Jesus c. Person of the Holy Spirit d.