Exploring the Church

Exploring the ChurchQuestions

Exploring the ChurchQuestions

Do you know anyone who has “become famous?”

TermsPope – from the Greek papas & Latin papa (“father”); special name of the Bishop of Rome since the early 5th cent. (at least) and used exclusively for him since the 11th cent.; 1 Cor. 4:15, Phil. 2:22, 1 Thess. 2:11, 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:4

papacy – having to do with the activities of the Bishop of Rome

pontificate – “the period of time during which a particular person is Pope”

Age of the Councils1. Nicea #1 (325) – rejected Arianism (Christ wasn’t divine), The Nicene Creed2. Constantinople #1 (381) – expanded Nicene Creed, affirmed the divinity of the Holy Spirit3. Ephesus (431) – rejected Nestorius, wrestled with how Jesus had both a human and divine nature

4. Chalcedon (451) – rejected belief that Christ only had a divine nature (monophysitism), affirmed two natures of Christ

5. Constantinople #2 (553) – wrestled with how Christ’s two natures were joined in one person

6. Constantinople #3 (680-681) – rejected the belief that Christ had two natures but only one will

7. Nicea #2 (787) – rejected iconoclasm (breaking of icons), affirmed that icons are worthy of veneration (like Scripture)

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.

Corresponding MovementsAs the political power and influence of Rome decreased, the influence of the Church in Rome increasedAs the political power and influence of Constantinople increased, the influence of the Church in Constantinople increased

The Papacy – A Brief Historythe church in Rome held a special place of respect from an early point in church history, mainly due to Peter and Paul’s involvement and martyrdom therevarious popes were involved in the early all-church councilsPope Victor (189-98) played a major role in fixing the date for Easterappeals to the Bishop of Rome from other parts of the church began to appear in the mid-3rd centuryPope Damasus I (366-384) commissioned Jerome to produce the Latin Vulgate translation of Scripture

Pope Leo I (400-461)•served as Pope 440-461•known as Pope Leo the Great•argued that the Bishop of Rome was a successor to Peter•negotiated with Attila the Hun and the Vandals in 450s to “soften the blow” of the invasions of Rome•wrote a letter (known as Leo’s Tome) that highly influenced the Council of Chalcedon in 451

Pope Gregory I (540-604)•served as Pope 590-604•known as Pope Gregory the Great•highly involved in the administrative and diplomatic duties of the church•known for overseeing the Roman defenses against the attack of the Lombards•developed a way of interpreting Scripture that became a standard (literal, mystic, moral interpretation)•directed the Latin church’s missionary endeavors to Northern Europe•known for his humility and piety

The Rise of IslamMuhammad - born in 570from 610-632 he received revelations from God (Quran – “The Recitation”)driven out of Mecca in 622, he and his followers made their way to Medina where they successfully established a community based on the principles laid out in the Quranmultiple battles ensued between Meccans and followers of Islam from Medina, culminating in Muhammad’s taking of Mecca in 630 (through mostly non-violent means)Muhammad died in 632, at which point one-third of the Arabian peninsula was MuslimFrom 632-34, Islam expanded to include the whole Arabian peninsula

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.