History of the Reformation (I) Martin Luder (Luther) 1483-1546 Born Eisleban Attends University Erfurt-study of law 1505-Leaves study of law (Vow to St. Anne) Enters Augustinian order 1507-Priest 1512-Doctor of Theology Wittenberg (Saxony) Personal theology of despair & doubt; struggle for assurance of salvation If ever a monk could have reached heaven through monkery it was I Anguished effort to find a gracious God, anger at a righteous God who punishes sins No solace in the teachings of the church Preaching, teaching, writing (Wittenburg on Psalms & Romans)?? church teachings Romans 1:17 The righteous shall live by faith The righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God namely faith We are at the same time righteous and sinful; but sin no longer counts against us Sin, sinner, forgiveness, salvation, grace, faith penitential system of RCC October 31, 1517 Disputation on the Power & Efficacy of Indulgences [95 Thesis] Points of Debate (regarding indulgences). Intended only for discussion within the church; written in Latin, but translated into German and widely distributed all Europe is aflame Once upon a time.. 2150 BC Abraham Isaac Jacob 1500 Moses (1525-1408) Exodus (1446-1406 ) 1000 David (1010-970) Solomon (970-930) 930 Divided Kingdom of Israel & Judah 722 Fall of Israel to Assyria 587 Fall of Judah to Babylon Return to Judah: Zerubabbel 536 Temple 515 Ezra 458 Nehemiah 444 (Walls) 430 Malachi-Last OT prophet & end of OT Intertestamental Period Alexander the Great Successors rule Palestine Maccabean & Jewish +/- rule & Outsiders Roman Empire Romans (and Herod) rule Palestine Jesus Christ (6-4 BC- 30 AD? ) Acts of the Apostles 30-64 AD 70AD Destruction of Jerusalem-- Series of Jewish dispersions
Spread of Christianity Early Christianity was Jewish Separation from orthodox Judaism Converts from Judaism, pagan religions, no religion Dispersion: Jewish and Gentile believers Missions (Paul & associates; Peter; Phillip; others) Establishment of churches Grouping by culture, language, geography Hellenistic Jews (Greek speaking) Facilitated by (Holy Spirit--of course): Roman Empire -unifying culture and communication (Greek & Latin language) - Pax Romana -travel & transportation -conditions favorable for mono-theistic faith Issues for the Early Church Structure & Organization Leadership & Authority Scripture// Canon Doctrine/Beliefs (What do we believe? To what do we hold fast What do we teach?) Liturgy : Worship, Sacraments, Church Holidays Mechanisms for addressing questions, differences of opinion, controversies, heresies External relationships with Judaism, other religions, other philosophies, Roman Empire Challenges to the Early Church From without -persecution (Jews, Romans, others) -non Christian beliefs and philosophies From within -differences of opinion on many of the (above) issues (minor vs major) -some progressed to overt heresy, unbelief, alternative religion -orthodox doctrine/teachings vs alternate doctrines/teachings Response of the Early Church Apostolic Fathers & Apologists Church leaders (some Bishops) in the East, West, & North Africa Councils & Creeds Systematic Theology (clarification of beliefs and doctrines) Canon (OT & NT vs not scripture) Pax Romana is challenged: immorality, unrest, poverty, economics of slavery and non-productive populations; external threats, Attempts to unify empire (divert unrest) periods of persecution Separation into provinces (east & west) with shared rule
Constantine (Emperor 306-337) Converted to Christianity 312 Issues Edict of Toleration 313 (Christianity official religion of Roman Empire_ 324 Establishes New Rome capitol at Constantinople 325 Council of Nicea Roman Empire formally divided into East (Byzantium/Constantinople) & West (Rome) 395 Rome sacked 410; End of Western Roman Empire 476 Franks-Clovis (converted to Christianity 496) Charlemagne (768-814) Establishment of the Holy Roman Empire (800-1806) The Church Rise in power of Bishops as power of secular leaders declines Church vs State (Investiture conflicts); Church lands (accrual of wealth) Secularization of the Church Non-Christian Christians Reverse Persecution Establishment of religious centers Rome Constantinople Jerusalem Alexandria Antioch Carthage Lyon (Gaul) Caesarea Church leaders Presbyters/Bishops (West) Bishops & Patriarchs (East) Bishop of Rome: 1 st among equals Primacy of Apostle Peter Bishop of Rome Papacy Bishop of Rome often asserted superior authority of Roman See over other churches Innocent I (401-417)- claim to universal authority of the Bishop of Rome Leo I (440-461) St. Peter has spoken through Leo; Papal influence on civil affairs Gregory I (590-604) Pope Gregory the Great Attempts at reform; Missionaries to England Pope and clergy are responsible for ordering society Investiture controversies who crowns who Church vs State (HRE) Ongoing issues with doctrine, traditions, governance, authority Leadership WEST: Rome vs EAST: Constantinople Christian Church divided into East & West 1050 Schisms (and old and new heresies) Calls for reform (church vs state issues; qualifications and behavior of church leaders) Ascetic & monastic movements --- cloistered Christianity Theological writings Athanasius (300-373) Jerome (345-420) Latin version of Bible --Vulgate Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Rise of Islam Mohammed 570-632 - there is one god and Mohammed is his prophet Rapid spread of Islam Palestine (Jerusalem 637, Antioch 638), Alexandria 641, Carthage 697 All of North Africa by 709 Asia Minor, Southern Italy, Sicily, Iberia (Spain), Advance into the West halted at the Battle of Tours 732 by Charles Martel 800- Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem firmly in Muslim control 1453-Constantinople falls to Seljik Turks Muslim cities: Mecca, Damascus, Cairo, Baghdad (More with spread of Islam) Historical explanations for rapid spread -Welcomed by many as liberating force from Byzantine rulers -Geographic and cultural similarities (Arabic peoples vs Roman/Byzantine) -Social and economic disparities -Christianity often superficial; endless doctrinal and leadership controversies Syncretism with pagan beliefs Islam seen as a higher and purer religious ideal -Willingness to fight (and fight well) for what they believed (join the winning side) -At times Islam more tolerant of Jews (and other beliefs) than Christianity Appeal of radical monotheism, strict morality, simplified list of duties, religious zeal Dark Age of the Papacy (870-1050): Authority of the Pope Hildebrand/Gregory VII (1073-1085) attempts at reform of simony, corruption, & immorality Ad Fontes- return to the sources (scripture and early church doctrines) Urban II (1088-1099)- began the Crusades to liberate Jerusalem from the Infidels 1095 1071 Seljuk Turks (Muslim) conquered half of the Eastern Roman Empire 1095 Urban calls church and its people to free the Holy city Crusades: the earth is shaken because the Lord has lost His lands Crusades against Islam, heretics, enemies of RCC, Jews Series of conflicts in Holy Land (Eastern empire, Africa, Europe) (8+ crusades) 1095-1272 Innocent III (1198-1216)- Vicar of Christ All things on earth and in heaven and hell are subject to the vicar of Christ Papal infallibility Penitential system & Confessional standards Seven Sacraments Scripture to be interpreted by the Church Heresy punishable by death; inquisition Boniface VIII (1294-1303) Unam Sanctum it is necessary for salvation that every creature be subject to the Roman pontiff Avignon Papacy (1305-1377)- French pope & successors stay in France;1378 back to Rome Great Schism (1381-1417) Rome (2), Avignon, 1449 Rome
Roman Catholic Church Issues (simplified below but each had a long developmental history) when the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness gained the world but lost its soul Catholicism possessed the fundamental articles of faith but had overlaid them with extraneous and sometimes false doctrines Christ + Sovereignty Pope & Holy Roman Emperor rule medieval Europe Power of Papacy and Clergy in all aspects of spiritual & secular life Church interprets and/or creates spiritual truth Acquisition of land, power (including military), prestige, $$$$$ Papal authority Lord of the whole church Vicar of Christ Unnam Sanctum Universal papacy Papal infallibility Salvation- Salvation by Christ but available only through the Church Saving Ark Saving gospel from God given to the church to be administered by the church Church has to release what God has given or the world perishes Man cooperates with God (and the church) in salvation Scriptures to be read in official language (Latin) & only by those approved by the church used to confirm church theology instead of basis for theology not available to common people (or appropriate for them) tradition, teachings, & authority of the church equivalent to the scriptures Sacraments true faith & salvation through sacraments administered through the church Eucharist-recapitulation of sacrifice of Christ. Elements become body and blood salvation implications of baptism used by church to control believers & unbelievers via power of excommunication & interdict ---baptism, confirmation, eucharist, confession, matrimony, extreme unction, holy orders Symbols images, icons, relics, liturgy, cathedrals (symbols replace scripture for the ignorant) iconoclast controversies more of an issue in the Eastern church Doctrines Veneration of Mary; Veneration of the dead Saints of the Church Penitential system: church control of grace & salvation Forgiveness of sins: contrition, confession, absolution (works of satisfaction) Purgatory: time of continued purification after death before entering heaven -Can be influenced by living: prayers, works, intersessions, indulgences [penance, works, relics, pilgrimages, prayers, $$$, monastic life & vows, etc] Papal powers and status Tradition, teachings, & authority of the church equivalent to the scriptures
Simony purchase of influence & church offices (buying and selling; stealing; other) Sin corruption, immorality, heresy, murder Tools of Conformity to church beliefs and teaching Control of scriptures and sacraments Excommunication Interdict Inquisition Crusades against heretics The seeds of the Reformation were sown in long prepared soil Resources: Martin Luther Roland Bainton. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther; [The Reformation of the 16 th Century, The Age of Reformation, others) Heiko Oberman. Luther: Man between God and the Devil Martin Brecht. Martin Luther (3 volumes) Selected Works of Martin Luther (Project Wittenberg) http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-home.html Documents from the Reformation http://www.mun.ca/rels/hrollmann/reform/reform.html Reformation in England JRH Norman A history of the Church in England. (3 rd edition-1972) JH Merle daubigne. The Reformation in England (1866-1878 reprinted) General Resources for History of Christianity/Church History: The History of Christianity (A Lion Handbook) --Editor: Dr. Tim Dowley. (Editions-1977, 1990, 2009) 1997 or 1990 version are fine (and very inexpensive (50 used) Topics are covered briefly but thoroughly. There are many illustrations, charts, and maps, and a series of time lines to help keep events in order. A History of Christianity (2-volumes) Kenneth Latourette. 1953 (reprinted 1975). --Covers the history of Christianity from the Apostles to the 1970s. (no pictures ) Church History (2 volumes) Everett Ferguson 2005 Volume I; John Woodbridge & Frank James 2013 Volume II -Covers the history of Christianity from the Apostles to the 1990s. (B&W pictures-) Also very readable