ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY THE WESTERN CHURCH ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY Jesus lived in a society marked by resentment against Roman rule and inspired in the belief that a Messiah would arise to liberate the Jews and drive the Romans out. When Jesus sought to reform Jewish religious practices, the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem turned him over to the Roman governor for execution.

ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY THE WESTERN CHURCH ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY After the execution, Jesus’ followers, the Apostles, continued to spread his teachings; they also spread their belief that Jesus had been resurrected. At this point, the target of their conversion efforts was their fellow Jews.

ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY THE WESTERN CHURCH ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY Conversion efforts changed from Jews to non-Jews in the 40s–70s C.E.: First, Paul of Tarsus, an Anatolian Jew, discovered that non-Jews (gentiles) were much more receptive to the teachings of Jesus than Jews were. Second, a Jewish revolt in Judaea (66 C.E.) and the subsequent Roman reconquest destroyed the original Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem

ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY THE WESTERN CHURCH ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY Christianity grew slowly but steadily, developing a hierarchy of priests and bishops and resisting the persecution of Roman officials. By the late third century, Christians were a sizeable minority in the Roman Empire.

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Structure of the Church: Papacy wields authority over all church affairs in western Europe – source of order in a time of disunity Bishops set rules (canons) that regulate priests and laypeople – become increasingly responsive to papal direction(s)

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Politics and the Church: Popes sought to combine religious and political power – forged alliances with coalitions of royalty The Holy Roman Empire is a coalition of these alliances

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Investiture controversy: Secular rulers felt they should control bishops (feudalism) Popes felt they were in charge of the bishops, based on the structure of the church Settled by the Concordant of Worms (1122)

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Politics and the Church (cont.) Other secular-sacred conflicts: Henry II tries to establish secular courts as the dominant legal system – tried as criminals (violators of the Kings peace) Henry II vs. Thomas Becket Becket becomes a priest, assumes position of Archbishop of Canterbury “Turns back” on Crown…

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Monasticism: Develops out of prior religious practices – celibacy, devotion to prayer, isolation Functions: Centers of literacy and learning Refuge for widows, place for women/ nuns Orphanages Social Organization Units

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH THE WESTERN CHURCH FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH Monasticism: Difficult for Catholic hierarchy to exercise oversight over the monasteries Benedict of Nursia – organizes monasteries with rules that govern all aspects of ritual and daily life/Benedictine Monks Abbey of Cluny – worked to improve the administration and discipline of monasteries