Chapter 5: Class Lecture Periods 1 & 8 Joseph Varco SJHS Ecclesiology Adapted from “The Catholic Church,” by Carl Koch

Timeline –Constantine legalizes Christianity through Edict of Milan –Council of Nicaea condemns Arian heresy; writes Nicene Creed –Basil develops his monastic rule –Ambrose is made bishop of Milan –Jerome translates the Bible into Latin. –Ambrose forces Emperor Theodosius into public repentance –Church settles on books of Christian canon –Augustine writes the “Confessions” –Rome falls to the Goths –Augustine writes “The City of God” –Patrick begins missionary work in Ireland –Leo the Great becomes Pope –Council of Chalcedon affirms Jesus’ human AND divine natures –Pope Leo negotiates peace with Attila the Hun –Western empire falls

Monasticism Sought to find truth and meaning in the silence of the wilderness Precedence: – Moses had encountered God / burning bush on deserted mountain – Ezekiel had taken refuge on Mount Horeb – Jesus went to desert to fast and pray, where tested by satan Etymology – Greek word “monos” meaning “alone” or “single” – Main focus of hermits = contemplative prayer

Antony of Egypt One of the earliest hermit – Moved to the desert in 270 – At age 18, both parents died Became well-loved and respected – Attracted crowds  entered life of hermitage

Basil’s Rule Early monasteries were eccentric Basil: – 4 th century bishop – sought to establish standardization – Well educated in Constantinople and Athens – Became a hermit in Asia Minor – Developed a “rule of life” Main purpose of a monk was to “seek God in their heart by listening in the silence of prayer”

Jerome 4 th century monk Lived as a hermit, but grew up as a pagan in northern Italy Educated in Latin and Greek in Rome Served as secretary to the pope. Translated Christian Testament and Psalms into Latin from the original Greek and Hebrew – Eventually, he translated the entire Bible into Latin  Latin Vulgate (Latin was common language of the west)

Is contemplation as necessary today as it was 2000 years ago? Thoughts on monasteries / monks today What was the significance of the Latin Vulgate? What was Basil/s contribution to monastic life?

Ambrose In 300’s, Roman Empire is still divided into East and West (separate rulers for each) Council of Nicaea in 325 rejected Arianism, but it is still very much alive Western Emperor made an Arian bishop of Milan – People protested Ambrose, the governor of Milan, was baptized, confirmed, given Eucharist, and ordained a bishop instantly

Ambrose Experienced administrator, lawyer, and governor Ambrose: sold gold and jewels to ransom people held captive by Goths Arians tried to take churches from Ambrose Ambrose spoke of keeping church and state separate Ambrose used his power to sway public decisions, such as executions, etc.

Augustine Born in North Africa Dropped out of school at 16 due to poverty – Eventually became a teacher Became a Manichaean – One god created good and another created evil No responsibility for his sins Heavily influenced by Plato and Ambrose Wrote “The Confessions,” his autobiography Baptized at 33 and created a monastery Elected Bishop of Hippo 4 years after ordination Focused efforts on the Pelagians and Donatists

Donatists Christians who had their own churches in Africa for almost 100 years. – Claim: denying one’s faith (in cases of torture, execution, etc.) is unforgivable. – If a bishop did this, all his sacraments were invalid The validity of a sacrament depended on the legitimacy of the bishop administering it

Pelagians A person can get to heaven without the special inner help of God – ie: no grace is necessary – If you work hard enough, you guarantee you get to heaven Augustine’s response: – “The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord must be understood as that by which alone men are delivered from evil, and without which they do absolutely no good thing.”

Augustine, Part 2 In 410, Rome falls – Goths in the south, Franks in the northwest, Vandals in Spain and North Africa – Christianity is the scapegoat – how could God allow it? – Augustine’s response: “The City of God” Written over 12 years History is an ongoing struggle between two realities: “City of God” and the “City of Man” – City of God = Faith – City of Man = Rome falling

Post 410 Church fills the governance void left by fall of Rome Leo the Great (Leo I) – Elected in 440 – Well-known orator – Began using title of “Pontifex Maximus” (Supreme Pontiff) Previously used by Roman emperors Etymology: – “Pope” derived from Greek word “pappas” or father

Peace and the Papacy Pope Leo I asked to intervene with Attila the Hun – Leo I travels 200+ miles to a military camp and convinces Attila to stand down (no records of the conversation) Pope Leo I intervenes again 10 years later with the Vandals

Incarnation Incarnation: the belief that Jesus is both God and man becomes a new issue of dispute – East: Jesus has divine nature, but not a real human nature – Patriarch of Constantinople fatally injured – Pope Leo convenes Council of Chalcedon in 451 Jesus has 2 natures – Split: Coptic and Jacobite divisions

Conflict Bishop of Rome was pre-eminent among all bishops – Patriarch of Constantinople was secondary – Leo objected to elevation of Patriarch to Papal status Would result in interference from Eastern Emperor

References Koch, Carl. “The Catholic Church” Saint Mary’s Press.