“Splits” in the Church

 Considered the beginning of the Christian Church.  Disciples became Apostles (those sent forth)  The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they were given the gift of tongues.  They went forth and spread the gospel.

 Diverse forms of Christianity are given a standard form.  Council was called together by Emperor Constantine  They developed the Nicene Creed which was accepted as a “brief statement of belief used to test orthodoxy” (Religions of Our Neighbours, by Sid Bently, 1983)

 The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split from one another.  Among other reasons, the Roman Catholic church believed that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) was the leader of the whole church, as opposed to one among many bishops. The Eastern Church disagreed.  The Roman Catholic church excommunicated the Eastern church, and vice versa.

 Differences: ◦ Orthodox Church rejects the Pope as head of the Christian Church ◦ Orthodox Church lets priests marry ◦ O.C. originally rejected Latin as the official language of the Church ◦ O.C. uses leavened bread in the Eucharist and rejects transubstantiation. ◦ O.C. uses a different calendar (holidays fall 13 days later)

 Jerusalem, the Holy City, was under Muslim control and Christians could no longer go on pilgrimages.  The crusades began as military expeditions to free the Holy City.  This was a “black page” in Christian history

 Wycliffe  Huss  Savonarola  Martin Luther

 1517 CE: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on Wittenberg door, beginning a wave of protests in the church.  Religious Assertions ◦ The Bible is the final authority; the Church is not. ◦ Salvation is a Gift of God; the Church cannot dispense salvation. ◦ Only God can forgive; the Church cannot “sell” indulgences. ◦ Priesthood is a calling; the Church cannot sell the offices of the church. ◦ Priesthood requires study; the Church is responsible for capable priests.

 For the first time the Bible was available to the people.

 Scripture Alone – Bible is sole authority  Justification by Faith Alone – Your faith is more important than good deeds  Universal Priesthood of Believers – No intermediary. You have to read and understand the Bible yourself, and are responsible for your own soul.

 Political Assertions: ◦ Church land should be tax-free; taxes should not be paid on land. ◦ The Church should not send tax money to Rome; the money is needed in the country. ◦ The Church should not interfere with politics, particularly international politics.

 Loyola founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)  Loyola and other devout Catholics took action to reform the Catholic Church and rid it of corruption. ◦ Priests became better educated ◦ Priests were more closely supervised ◦ The practice of selling indulgences was ended ◦ The Church was infused with new energy

  Most recent modernization of Catholic faith  Encouraged lay-persons to become more involved in life of church  Celebration of the Mass in the vernacular (i.e., current languages such as English, Spanish, French, etc., depending on the country) instead of Latin. John XXIII and Paul VI – the two Popes of the Council