Exploring the Church

Exploring the ChurchQuestions

Exploring the ChurchQuestions

Describe your ideal vacation destination.

St. Valentinus (?-269)•priest in Rome•helped Christians during the persecution under Emperor Claudius II•married Christian couples in secret (aiding Christians at the time was illegal)•martyred on February 14th, 269 (beaten, stoned, beheaded)

St. Nicholas (270-343)•bishop of Myra (Turkey)•present at the 1st Council of Nicea (325)•known for his (secret?) acts of generosity•came to the aid of many Christians and non-Christians who found themselves in trouble of various kinds

St. Patrick (387-461)•known as the “Apostle of Ireland”•was a missionary to the people of Ireland for 40 years•used the shamrock to explain the idea of the Trinity•died March 17th, 461

Termsasceticism – the practice of giving up physical pleasures (e.g.; food, drink, status, physical relationship) in order to focus on spiritual matters

Christendom – the cooperative relationship between church and state in which the state is influenced by and helps to advance Christianity in the world, area of the world where Christianity predominates

Responses to Challenges1. Steadfast faith (many times resulting in martyrdom)2. Networking!! – Church leaders communicated with each other (e.g. – Ignatius & Polycarp)3. Faithful teaching – 1 Corinthians 11:23, 15:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:1-74. Strong leadership (?)5*. Separation (attraction to monastic life)

Challenges Monasticism Tries to Address1. Devoting oneself to God in a fuller and more focused way2. Overcoming weaknesses and “unhealthy” desires in order to build spiritual strength3. Resisting the temptations of this world (e.g., love of power, money/possessions, status, etc.)

Monasticism – establishment and growthInitially – primarily individual (eremitic – to live as a hermit), communities or groups would then grow up near the hermit; e.g., Anthony

Early 4th cent. – emphasis shifted to the formation of monastic communities (cenobitic – to live a common life together), communities might then be grouped together; e.g., Pachomius, Basil of Caesarea, Benedict of Nursia

Causes for Monastic “Surge” in 4th -5th cent (Noll)

1. Disarray caused by earlier persecution2. Church’s growing favor within the Roman Empire

-it was now possible for people to aspire to a priesthood or bishopric as a profession (i.e., get paid to do it); this offered an unprecedented opportunity for stability, influence, and even wealth3. Perception of the world as a place of active spiritual combat4. Scriptural examples and commands (Jesus, John the Baptist; Matthew 6:25 & 19:21, Colossians 3:1, 1 Cor. 7)

The Monastic Life-Prayer-Scripture study-“The Work of God” (opus dei) – worship times-Menial labor-The ascetic life – rejection of worldly possessions, ambitions, desires* - Communities followed the “Rule” or standard laid out for it

Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-543)•born in Nursia, Italy•became a hermit as a young man, eventually asked to be the abbot of a monastery•developed a Rule for monastic living (known as the Rule of St. Benedict) in order to reform the monastic movement•established 12 monasteries and lived in a 13th at Monte Cassino (south of Rome)

Fault Lines Revisited1. Politics begin to influence church life – ex. Gregory of Naziansus & Emperor Theodosius I

2. Rome becomes unstable – sacked in 410 (Visigoths), 455 (Vandals), 546 (Ostrogoths)

3. Church begins to splinter – Nestorius dismissed in 431, Monophysites dismissed in 451

What was the first Christian Kingdom?

Fault Lines RevisitedIn 476, Flavius Odoacer (a Germanic soldier) deposed the Emperor Romulus Augustus, effectively ending the Western Roman Empire.

The stress of the East/West division began to strain the relationships among the Christians and church leaders from the different halves of the Empire.

In 570, Mohammed was born.

Fault Lines RevisitedThroughout the time of turmoil in the Empire, people (including Roman leadership) increasingly looked to the church to provide stability.

Exploring the ChurchThe Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is

in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin

against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to you forever and

ever. Amen.