Northeast American Diocese Sunday School Association SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION TRAINING PROGRAM Date: 6th April 2013 (Sat) Venue: St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Bensalem, PA STUDY NOTES By Justin Mathews
Grade XI (Lessons 5 15) Lesson 5. Differences among Churches in the East and the West Name some of the Eastern Churches Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Assyrian (Nestorian) Name some of the Western Churches Roman Catholic and Protestant churches When did the Oriental Orthodox Churches separate from the rest of the churches? After the Synod of Chalcedon in AD 451. The synod condemned the teachings of Eutychus (who preached the one nature of Christ) and accepted the Tome of Leo the Pope which stated that Christ had two natures in one person which was not acceptable to Oriental Orthodox fathers. What are the main dogmatic Differences among the churches? a. The Procession of the Holy Spirit: The Orthodox Churches believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. The Western Church later added that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (Filioque). b. The Person of Christ: In the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the heretical teaching of Eutychus was discussed. The council condemned Eutychus. There was also a doctrinal statement from Pope Leo I, which is called the 'Tome of Leo' read and approved by the Council. It stated that Christ had two natures in one person which was not acceptable to Oriental Orthodox fathers. c. Transubstantiation Vs. Consubstantiation: Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine are physically transformed into the body and blood of Jesus (Transubstantiation) which is not accepted by neither the Protestants nor the Orthodox churches. The Protestants believe in Consubstantiation which teaches that body and blood coexist with bread and wine in the Eucharist. d. Infallibility of Pope: Roman Catholics ascribe infallibility to their Pontiff meaning he can say or do no wrong. e. Immaculate Conception: Roman Catholics teach that St. Mary was born through Immaculate Conception.
What are the differences in ministry and sacraments? In the Roman Catholic Church the hierarchy is the church and the Pope is its authority. In the Orthodox Church the council of bishops (the Holy Synod) is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and order. Bishops are appointed by the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church where as the bishops elected by people and approved by the synod the Orthodox Churches. Priestly celibacy is mandatory in the Roman Catholic Church. It is optional in Orthodox churches. The Roman Catholic Church tries to logically explain sacraments. Orthodox churches teach they are mysteries. What are the differences in the authority? In the Roman Catholic Church, Pope is the supreme authority. In Orthodox churches the council of bishops together with the recognition of laity decide matters. What are the differences in spirituality? The most important doctrine according to Protestant churches is the salvation by grace. Eastern churches consider deification (growth into divine likeness) through sacramental life in the church as the supreme doctrine. Lesson 6. Ethos and Approach What are the major differences in the ethos and approach between Eastern and Western churches? Roman Catholic Church Protestant Churches Eastern Churches Emphasis on canon law and hierarchy Dogmas (revealed unchangeable truths) o Infallibility of the Pope o Immaculate Conception of St. Mary People centric (against institutionalization of church) Denies any human merit (Salvation through grace alone) Bible is the sole authority (Sola Scriptura) Kerygma (teaching of the word) instead of dogma Healthy balance of hierarchy and democracy Episcopal Synod is the supreme authority Willing submission of laity
Lesson 7. Our Church When was the Synod of Diamper? In 1599 What was the outcome of the Synod of Diamper? Malankara Church came under the Pope and cut all relations with the Persian Church. Name the Archbishop of Goa who convened the Synod of Diamper Alexis De Menezes When and where was the Coonen Cross Oath? The Coonen Cross Oath took place in Mattancherry in 1653 Describe the Coonen Cross Oath The St. Thomas Christians were infuriated by the oppressive regime of the Roman Church. They assembled at Mattancherry and holding a rope tied to a cross took an oath declaring that they or their progeny will not have any connection with the Roman Church. What is Vattipanam? Col. Macaulay, the first British Resident of Travancore and Cochin (part of Kerala state), was a friend of Malankara Church. He deposited a sum of money in the Madras treasury in the name of Malankara Metropolitan to be used for charitable purposes. The fund is referred to as Vattipanam. Name the faction that separated from the Malankara church due to the reformist movement Marthoma Church When did Malankara Reeth (Syro Malankara) church separate from us? Who started it? In 1932. Bishop Mar Ivanios. Lesson 8. Orthodox Spirituality and Worship What is the core doctrine of Orthodox Spirituality? Deification or Theosis (Growing into the image of God through sacraments, prayers, fasting, and liturgy)
Lesson 9. Faith and Practices of the Orthodox Church Why do we pray for the departed? 1. They are alive 2. They are tempted 3. The souls are praying 4. They can receive blessings Lesson 10. Fundamentalism Where and when did Fundamentalism originate? Fundamentalism originated in the US at the beginning of 20th century. What was the reason for the founding of Fundamentalism? It was started by conservative Protestants as a defense against modernism and liberalism that crept into Protestant church What are the five fundamental principles of Fundamentalism? 1. The literal infallibility of the Bible 2. Virgin birth and full deity of Jesus Christ 3. Substitutional atoning sacrifice of Jesus 4. Bodily resurrection of Christ 5. His second coming in bodily form to preside at the Last Judgment Why do we reject Fundamentalism? 1. Their attitude towards the Bible Bible is the sole authority (Sola Scriptura). We believe Bible and tradition together form the basis of our faith. We accept that Bible has a human element to it. 2. Neglect of Church Tradition They, forgetting that the Church is a living body with growth, focus only on apostolic times 3. Individualism
Each individual can make his/her own interpretation of the Bible 4. Neglect of Corporate Aspect 5. They are Other Worldly They ignore life in this world. We believe that the Church is kept in this world to transform it. The Church is the salt of the earth. Lesson 11. Pentecostalism When and where was Pentecostalism started? April 9th 1906 in LA What are the main features of their teaching? 1. Unction of the Holy Spirit and Glossolalia 2. Faith Healing and Exorcism 3. Insistence on Personal Testimony 4. Missionary Fervor 5. Free worship catering to emotions 6. Bible centered Christianity What are the errors of Pentecostalism? 1. They reject the teaching authority of the Church 2. They close their eyes to world problems 3. They are notoriously divisive 4. Speaking of tongues Does not edify the church Is a sign only for non believers Useless without the complementary gift of interpretation Creates chaos and confusion
Lesson 12. Jehovah s Witnesses Who founded the Jehovah s Witnesses movement? Charles Russell in the 19th century What are the main errors of this sect? They deny the Holy Trinity. They are Unitarian. Like the Arian heretics, they believe Jesus is created and not co eternal. His resurrection was not physical but in spirit They predicted the end of the world in 1914. According to them a total of 14000 people only will go to heaven. They preach that death terminates human existence. They are other worldly. They advocate against performing civic duties. They have hatred towards established churches. Lesson 13. Seventh Day Adventism Who founded Seventh Day Adventism? Ellen White based on the doctrines of William Miller What are their heretical teachings? 1. Adventism: They insist that the second coming of Christ happened in 1844. 2. Keeping of the Sabbath 3. Person of Christ They teach that Christ inherited the sinful human nature 4. The intermediate state after death They believe that the state of a person after death is of total unconsciousness
Lesson 14. The Challenge of Puritanism Name two churches that practice Puritanism Quakers and The Salvation Army What are the main features of Puritanism? 1. They don't believe in special priesthood 2. They reject sacraments 3. They have no order of liturgical worship 4. They have a negative approach to the world Lesson 15. The Rational Questions 1. Existence of God Give three logical arguments to prove the existence of God 1. First Cause Every event and object in this world has a cause. Nothing happens or exists without a cause. This reasoning leads us to the first cause which is God. 2. There is a plan and order in the universe We see an intelligent design in everything around us 3. There is universal desire in man to seek God
Grade XII: Lessons 12 18 Lesson 12. Mission in the Early Church What were the characteristics of Jesus' preaching? 1. No artificiality in his teaching His teaching was spontaneous, simple and direct 2. Adapted to his audience The parables and metaphors he used were from the day to day lives of common people 3. He taught with authority 4. Jesus practiced what he taught 5. Love for his audience Which was the first Christian city? Edessa Name the king of Edessa who first got converted to Christianity? King Abgar Who preached gospel in Edessa? Thaddeus the Apostle Which was the first Christian country? Armenia Lesson 13. Mission After Nicea What are the factors that governed to the spread of Christianity? 1. Monasticism
2. Circulation of the Bible 3. Heresies 4. The Ascend of Papacy 5. Expansion of Christianity in the west Name the three vows of monasticism? Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience Who founded the solitary monasticism? St. Anthony Who founded communal monasticism? St. Pachomius Who introduced monasticism in the west? St. Athanasius Who introduced monasticism in Asia? St. Basil Name the missionary who converted the king of Kent St. Augustine Lesson 14. Orthodox Missions Who preached gospel in Abyssinia (Ethiopia)? Copts Who founded monasticism in Mesopotamia and Persia? Mar Augin of Clysma Who founded the missionary society called the 'Servants of the Cross'?
H G Pathrose Mar Osthathios Who were instrumental in converting the Slavonic nations, Serbs, Bulgaria, Czechs, and Poles to Christianity? Eastern Orthodox Church Who started missions in Japan and Manchuria? Russian Orthodox Church Lesson 15. Missions of Today What are the two methodologies of mission? 1. Going out for mission 2. Calling in for mission Lesson 16. Indian Orthodox Church Missions Name a few missions of Indian Orthodox Church 1. The Servants of the Cross Society 2. Balagram at Yacharam 3. Balikagram at Pune 4. St. Thomas Home for Children at Sasthamkotta Who founded the Balagram at Yacharam? H G Geevarghese Mar Osthathios