From Jesus to Christ to Church How “blessed are the meek” came to rule the known world or Development of the Church, 0-1100 CE or Decided non-separation of Church & State

The World’s Religions

From Jesus to Christ to Church 

From Jesus to Christ to Church Jesus, obv. Jewish Christians Paul Epistles/Gospels Constantine

From Jesus to Christ to Church Disclaimer I tried to think of a way to organize this clearly and/or cleverly, but the historical truth wouldn’t really let me do it Theology, Christology, politics, mythology, and history were all jumbled up together and intertwined in fascinating, delicious mess.

From Christ to Church 

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE and then ??? The Great Commission Matt. 28:16-20 Pentecost (Holy Spirit)

Jesus 4 BCE – 29 CE and then ??? The Great Commission Matt. 28:16-20 Pentecost (Holy Spirit)

Jesus movement/Jewish Christians The Apostles, and others Led by Peter, James Jewish Christians Jews who believed Jesus was the Jewish Messiah X

Paul (c. 5 – c. 67 CE) Pharisee, until… Conversion, 36 CE “For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” (Gal. 1:13)

Paul Jesus’ followers, the Apostles, continued his legacy as Jewish-Christians Paul, following his conversion experience, preaches to the Gentiles in Asia Minor At the Council of Jerusalem (c. 49CE), Paul decided that Gentile Christians need not follow the Law

Paul

Paul Pharisee => “Apostle to the Gentiles” Established churches, wrote letters (epistles), developed theology 13 of these are found in the New Testament According to tradition, arrested in Jerusalem, beheaded in Rome for treason Marketing genius for Early Christianity

The Gospels Mark (65-70 CE) Matthew (80-85 CE) Luke (80-85 CE) --- John (90-95/110 CE) (canonized 330/382)

Who’s in charge? The Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:18-19) Apostolic succession: authority in the Church passed down from Jesus => Apostles => Clergy

Who’s in charge? Let’s meet the clergy! (Developing) Hierarchy of the Church Priest In charge of a specific community Deacon (diakonos = servant/messenger) Assistant to priest Bishop (episkopos = overseer) In charge of several churches (larger area)

Who’s in charge? As time goes on, five churches gained prominence (and authority): Jerusalem Antioch Alexandria Rome Constantinople

Who’s in charge? The Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:18-19) Apostolic succession: authority in the Church passed down from Jesus to Apostles, Apostles to clergy

Heresies Theological development paralleled the growth of the Church Many different ideas were proposed; those not chosen as orthodox (‘correct’) were declared heresy Heresies were often declared initially by local bishops Those decisions confirmed by ecumenical councils or other consensus of bishops

Heresies (Gnosticism =>) Docetism (c. 110 CE) Arianism (c. 320 CE) Physical body of Jesus just an illusion Arianism (c. 320 CE) Arius, Presbyter (Elder) in Alexandria The Son was created by the Father Nestorianism (c. 430 CE) Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople Christ has 2 loosely united natures (human, divine) (~dyophysitism) Against ‘Theokotos’ (Mary = mother of God) Monophysitism (c. 450 CE) Eutyches, archimandrite (archpriest) in Constantinople Christ had 2 natures, but divine nature consumed human one

Church & State Christians initially persecuted by the Roman empire Nero blames Christians for Great Fire (Rome, 64 CE) Tradition of martyrdom Cult of saints

Constantine Roman Emperor, 306-337 CE

Constantine Roman Emperor 306-337 CE

Church & State 313 CE – Edict of Milan grants tolerance to Christians 380 CE – Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Empire

Church & State & Heresies 325 CE – Council of Nicaea Called by Emperor Constantine Strove to resolve Christological and other debates within the Church Produced the Nicene Creed Revised by Council Constantinople, 381

Church & State & Heresies We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Church & State & Heresies Augustine 384-430 CE Bishop of Hippo Formalized concept of original sin The Confessions City of God Church is eternal, independent from earthly matters “The New (Testament) in the Old concealed, the Old in the New revealed.”

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge? As time goes on, five churches gain prominence (and authority): Jerusalem Antioch Alexandria Rome Constantinople

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge? Bishop of Rome began to claim additional authority Based on apostolic succession from Peter “You are Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” ~Matt. 16:18

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge?

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge? Pope Leo I “Pope” = papa = “father” = Bishop Got Valentinian III to decree (445): Primacy of Bishop of Rome Violation of ecclesiastical law could be punished as treason Roman governors needed to obey Papal summonses

From Christ to Church 

P.S. The Roman Empire collapsed The Church was the only thing left…

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge? 1054 CE Escalating tensions between Rome and Constantinople Filoque (nature of the Trinity) Universal jurisdiction of the Pope Leavened v. unleavened bread for the eucharist Mutual excommunication of Pope Leo IX and Patriarch (Bishop) Michael Cerularius The Great Schism! Form Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox churches

Church & State & Heresies & Who’s in Charge? Orthodox (Greek): “right opinion” Catholic (Greek): “universal”