
Catechist Formation Session Objectives Cat 103 : Life of Christ Session 8 – The History of the Church Background Material • Dr. Alan Schreck, The Compact History of the Catholic Church . Session Goal This session will examine the major periods of the history of the Church, giving a brief overview of the major events and people in the life of the Church. It will note the role of the Spirit as the soul of the Church in spite of the weaknesses of human beings. This session will not be an apologetical overview of Church history and specific events in the life of the Church, but will be meant to help the individual understand the major periods of the life of the Church. We will see in these stages that, through the Church, the Kingdom of God has continued to grow on earth through the activity of the Holy Spirit. In particular, we will look at 10 major periods of the Church, briefly mentioning in each period: 1. The Date 2. Primary Political Power/Philosophy 3. Major Opposing Philosophy to the Church 4. Struggles Facing Church, both from within and without 5. Form of Liturgy 6. Key Developments in Church 7. Notable Saints – those who exhibited the holiness God intended Three questions adults might have about this topic. What life-issues do I need to connect with in the people at my session? 1. How can we see the role of the Spirit by looking at the history of the Church? 2. Who are the great saints of the history of the Church? 3. Why has the Church survived for this long? Essential Points for the Teaching. Add in sub-points as needed. What points need to be made explicit and cannot be left to chance? A. Recap of the previous session. Cat 103 Session 8 1 The History of the Church 1. After Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost. 2. Though he was the fiercest opponent of the Church, Saul is converted and becomes the Apostle to the Gentiles. 3. St. Paul brings the Word of God to the Gentiles, who are now admitted to the Church as full members. B. Highlights of the History of the Church: 1. Apostolic Times. 33-64AD • The Church is born in 33AD at Pentecost: At Pentecost (which originally was a Jewish Festival celebrating the Receiving of the Law/Harvest), God sent the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ to begin the ministry of making disciples of ‘all the nations.’ Here the Church is revealed to the world. • We see at this time that the life of the Church was centered on the ministry of St. Peter (see Acts 11, 15), who made the key decisions in the life of the early Church. It is from St. Peter that follows the succession of popes, who can be traced all the way to our present pope, Benedict XVI. a. Primary Political Power/Philosophy: Roman Empire Map of Roman lands Provided the foundation for the spread of Christianity through roads, sea routes, language, Pax Romana – 200 year time of peace, Roman Empire not attacked. Roman occupation of Israel - Herod – King of Galilee, appointed by Romans, non-Jewish lineage - Pilate – Governor of Judea, Roman b. Major Opposing Philosophy to the Church: Judaism This was a natural tension because Jesus went squarely against the Jewish religious leaders. This is not anti-Semitism!!! c. Struggles Facing Church, both from within and without: Admission of Gentiles Acts 15 - Circumcision Cat 103 Session 8 2 The History of the Church d. Form of Liturgy: House Agape meal – See 1 Corinthians 11:18-34. Direct adaptation from Jewish ceremonies/Scripture Homes e. Key Developments in Church: Hierarchy This allows the Church to be governed. It begins with Matthew 28, then adds: - Deacons – Acts 6 - Presbyters – elders – 1 Timothy 5; James 5; 1 Peter 5 - Bishops/Overseers – 1 Timothy 3 As the church grew, so did the need for delegation and hierarchy. f. Notable Saints – those who exhibited the holiness God intended: Peter and Paul Peter: First Pope, died in Rome 64 AD, Crucified upside down, importance at council of Jerusalem, Acts 15 Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, 67 AD, Beheaded in Rome, missionary maps 2. Age of the Martyrs, 64-313AD Christian Persecution: 33-313AD. Christianity was illegal, underground, like it is in many places today. Tertullian said that the ‘blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church’. Often Christians were accused of Cannibalism. a. Primary Political Power/Philosophy – Roman Empire Map of empire by 313 AD b. Major Opposing Philosophy to the Church: Gnosticism They taught: - Jesus only appeared to be man – He was really only divine. - The God of the OT (angry) is different than NT God (happy). Cat 103 Session 8 3 The History of the Church - And wrote other books of the bible not canonized by Church (4 th century) - Salvation comes through obtaining secret knowledge, not through grace. c. Struggles Facing Church, both from within and without: Persecution Beginning with Nero in 64 AD, blaming fire of Rome on Christians Christians were called atheists because they refused to worship the Roman Gods/Emperor. Tertullian: The Blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church. ½ million Christians by the end of the first century in the Roman Empire. Second century the persecution was sporadic. - 2 million Christians by end of this century. 200-250AD – Relative peace for Christians in the Roman Empire. 250 – 251AD Persecution of Decius 303-311AD Persecution of Diocletian, ended by Galerius - 5 Million Christians by 300 AD d. Form of Liturgy: Catacombs Ignatius of Antioch – importance of bishop, 110 AD - Called Church Catholic Cult (def.) of martyrs in early Church was strong. Celebration on altars with relic (bone) of saint. Gatherings were small and quick due to persecution. Romans understood the Mass as a cannibalistic ceremony. e. Key Developments in Church: Edict of Milan 312 AD– Constantine becomes Emperor, captures Rome. - Chi-Ro symbol of Christ was the symbol that helped him win the battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome and become emperor. Cat 103 Session 8 4 The History of the Church 313 AD– Edict of Milan, Constantine makes Christianity legal in empire. This began the alliance of Church and state (divine right of kings), which lasted until secular democracy would come forward almost 1500 years later. Constantine founded Constantinople (Istanbul) in the East. f. Notable Saints: Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons Ignatius of Antioch - Church described as Catholic : Christianity is first described as ‘Catholic’, or universal; this was first coined by Ignatius of Antioch, who died in 110 AD. Ignatius was bishop of Antioch, was fed to lions. Irenaeus of Lyons - Bishop of Lyon, France. Disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of St. John - Fought the Gnostics. With the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, the Church is accepted as legal under the emperor Constantine, becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire 3. Age of the Fathers, 314-600AD What is a Father of the Church? a. Primary Political Shift: East/West Empire This separation of Rome/Constantinople began after the death of Constantine. West under control of barbarian tribes by 476 AD - Rome Sacked in 410 AD - Attila the Hun Eastern – Byzantine Empire b. Major Opposing Philosophy to the Church: Arianism Arius, priest of Alexandria, focused on Christ as a man/creature, not God. Constantine, as Emperor of the West, called an ecumenical council. The state begins to determine affairs of the Church. Cat 103 Session 8 5 The History of the Church Pro-Arius bishops continue to have influence on Constantine and subsequent emperors. c. Struggles Facing Church: Doctrine Martyrdom is no longer the primary issue – doctrine is. Remember the importance of doctrine – it is relational All the major, foundational doctrines of the Church were determined at this time, including: - The Trinity - Christ - Most Marian doctrines. d. Form of Liturgy: Regional Christian Centers: - East: Antioch (Greek), Alexandria (Coptic/Egyptian), Constantinople, - Jerusalem - Rome - Gaul – Gallican Locate on Map Basilicas, elaborate liturgy, different languages People go to Mass because of cultural reasons. e. Key Developments in Church: Councils /Creeds Nicene Creed Athanasian Creed List of Ecumenical Councils f. Notable Saints: Athanasius /Augustine Cat 103 Session 8 6 The History of the Church Athanasius - Bishop of Alexandria – 4th Century. - Fought Arianism, exiled 5 times by Arian emperors for defending Council of Nicaea. If the Arians could discredit Athanasius, they would win over Constantine. Council of Nicaea, 324 AD, was a key council of the early church because it defined Christ as homoousios, that Christ is of one being with the Father. It took the Church her first 500 years to come to a full understanding of who Christ is, that He is fully God, fully man, that Mary is His mother, and that He is one person with two natures (human and divine). Augustine - Bishop of Hippo, famous convert, mother is St. Monica, teacher of Christian philosophy and catechetics. 4. The Rise of Christendom, 600-1000AD Def: Christendom: The alliance of Church and state a. Emerging Political Power: Islam In 8 th century, especially in the East/Byzantium - Saracens, Moors - The rise of Islam would eventually lead to the Crusades. Map – Rise of Islam 9th century – Feudalism - Feudalism dispersed political power in a system of king, prince, nobleman, etc. From Encarta: medieval social system: the legal and social system that existed in medieval Europe, in which vassals held land from lords in exchange for military service 1800 years of French monarchs Charlemagne Cat 103 Session 8 7 The History of the Church - Son of Pepin - King, wanted control of Church and say on ‘ filioque’ against Eastern Church - Military conquests of Europe, conversion of barbarians - 800 AD, Christmas Day, crowned Emperor of West by Pope Leo III, the only pope to kneel before a king.
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