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UNIT TWO. The Church is Mystery. 2.2 Permanent and Unchanging. Teepee Teaching. God stands in the center of creation and we stand on its edges Each one of us can see only “one side’ of God
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UNIT TWO The Church is Mystery
Teepee Teaching • God stands in the center of creation and we stand on its edges • Each one of us can see only “one side’ of God • We must relay on others who sit in different places in the circle of creation if we wish to come to know God more completely
The Church is a mystery • Part of the world and tempted by sin • Apart from the world and shaped by grace • Images of the church attempt to explain how the Church is relevant to the world and at the same time separate from the world
Scripture • Literally, the “writings” • Refers to those books which have been determined by the Church to be the word of God and to be normative for faith and morals
One Church, Many Viewpoints • Church as the “body of Christ” is central and most complete image • Every other image must be understood in light of the primary image of the body of Christ. • Different periods of history have different images to express Church’s mystery.
A Choice Vineyard • Lumen Gentium, Vatican II document describes the Church as a “cultivated field.” • When Israel was conquered and occupied, it was difficult to understand what it meant to be a chosen people. • During Jesus’ lifetime, disagreement among Jews in Roman occupied Palestine wondered, What is the proper relationship between the chosen people and the rest of society?
Religious Syncretism • Attempt to reconcile or blend the beliefs and practices of various religions into one • Jews found it wholly unacceptable. • Yahweh was one true God • If they accepted the policy it would be the equivalent of denying their God altogether. • Struggle within Judaism between pressures to adopt customs/culture of rest of empire and desire to remain faithful to Yahweh
3 Jewish sects during time of Jesus’ ministry Sadducees Pharisees Essenes
Ways Jewish sects understood faithfulness to God Sect Faithfulness
Sadducees • Religiously conservative. Temple focal point of all Jewish life. • Members of Jewish aristocracy. Rejected all religious teaching which was not from the Torah including belief in the resurrection from the dead • Willing to accept many elements of Roman culture. Held positions of power under Roman rule
Pharisees • Faith based on scripture and on Jewish oral tradition • Believed faith should shape everyday life • Concerned with making Judaism relevant under Roman rule • Made clear to Roman authorities that even though Jewish people not in power, still maintained identity and moral code different from those around them
Essenes • Strictest of religious groups • Lived celibately • Interpreted every law in strictest possible way • Separated themselves from all who did not live as they did • Most opposed to war, some were also Jewish zealots.
Zealots • Believed God had chosen Israel to be a great and powerful political entity. • It was God’s will that the Jewish people fight and overthrow the Roman oppressors.
Christianity as one more Jewish sect? • Initially no one seems to have though of Christianity as a new or distinct religion. • Christian and no-Christian Jews and gentiles all regarded Christianity as one more Jewish sect. • Earliest Jewish Christians believed faith was fulfillment of Judaism • Kept Jewish Sabbath and added celebration of Resurrection Sunday
Gentiles • A term for non-Jews
Reasons for split between Judaism and Christianity: • Number of gentile converts to Christianity increased. • Jewish nationalism increased • Non-Christian Jews viewed Christianity as heretical, something that could destroy essence of Judaism.
Grafted to the vine of Christ • Image most clearly describes Church’s self-understanding in biblical period • Prophet Isaiah spoke of Israel as the vineyard, would die to no more than a stump. • From that stump, a new shoot would sprout and messianic age would be in • New shoot sprouted in Jesus, the true vine. Church new vineyard.
New vineyard unlike the old • Never go wild • God himself, in person of Jesus Christ it root stock and main vine • All shoots (people) of vineyard drew life from Jesus • Gentiles could become members of God’s chosen people without first becoming Jews • Grafted to the vine of Christ
The dwelling place of God • Image represented Church well in first three centuries • Christians shunned or persecuted in Roman empire • Why were Christians hated? • What continued to attract new members despite this abhorrence?
Christians were despised for many reasons! • 2 common beliefs: Christianity was anti-social Christianity was barbaric and cannibalistic
Anti-social • Christians refused to participate in many social events because they involved worship of Roman gods. • Would not go to the gymnasium or attend theatre. • Refused to attend banquets or eat food purchased in market which first sacrificed to idols
Barbaric; cannibalistic • Based on wild rumors! • Christians gathered weekly to celebrate an agape or “love feast” to which only baptized were admitted. • All Christians called all other Christians, even spouses, “brother’ and “sister”. • From these 2 facts spread rumors that Christians met for regular orgies. And that they ate from a loaf of bread with the Christ child concealed inside.
Christianity rejected for being “intellectually wanting”. • Some criticism rooted in class prejudice. • Could not be profound it taught by so many without culture or education. • Laughable nature of the Christian God • Why did Christians seem afraid of anything connected with worship of Roman gods? Fear proves fragility of own God. • Where is the logic in accepting martyrdom and leaving this life which was certain to go to another which was uncertain?
Laughable nature of the Christian God • How can anyone take the resurrection of the body seriously? • Christ’s death was proof that Christian God was hardly “all-powerful” as claimed.
Christian persecutions • Some believed Roman gods were angered as more Roman citizens abandoned their old faith and became Christians. • Many worst persecutions rooted in belief that Christianity was treason. • Christians blamed for all of the misfortunes of empire (floods, epidemics, military invasions).
Persecution under Emperor Nero • 64-68 A.D. • Christians killed and tortured in wide variety of ways to provide entertainment for populace.
Persecution under Emperor Decius • 248 AD • Believed Rome’s problems were punishments because people stopped worshipping old gods and they responded by abandoning Rome • Enacted law that required everyone to offer sacrifices to gods of empire • Certificate needed to prove sacrifice was offered
Christians and the military. • End of third century, Church leaders began to teach that Christians should not be part of the military. • AD 295, Christians killed for refusing to join or for attempting to leave the army. • Christians considered threat to the army. All Christians expelled from Roman legions. Christians often forced to abandon faith or were executed.
Christianity under attack! • AD 303, order issued: • Christians removed from all positions of responsibility • All Christian buildings and books should be destroyed • Christians tortured and killed if refused to hand over copies of scriptures. • Fire broke out in palace. • Christians accused of setting it. • Decree issued ordering arrest of all Church leaders. • 2nd decree issued ordering all Christians to offer sacrifice to Roman gods under pain of death
The appeal of being Christian • The power of the Holy Spirit working through human beings. • Church offered presence of a loving and caring God. • God’s love given equally to all regardless of social standing. • Cut across social boundaries. • Women and slaves deserving of respect • Women as well as men have rights in marriage
The appeal of being Christian • Christians noted for their charity toward those who were in need. • Offered hope, love, and practical assistance in dealing with misfortune.
Process of becoming a Christian • Long! Usually extended over a period of several years. • Committed to: • Living a life of generosity and love • Permanently avoiding sin • Being part of a community that was the dwelling place of god.
Galerius: Emperor of Rome • Final and worst persecution of Christians occurred under Galerius • Galerius blamed Christians for all of the problems in the empire • AD 311 He contracted painful disease, believed it was punishment from Christian God
Edicts issued by Galerius • Christians allowed to practice their faith • Christians required to pray to their God for well being of emperor and empire.
Constantine’s campaign to control Roman Empire • Constantine ordered soldiers to place Chi-Rho (first two letters in the name Christ) symbol on their shields • Constantine’s army defeated Maxentius and he became rule of the entire western half of the Empire.
Christianity becomes legal! • From AD 313 • Positive and negative results
Religion and politics intermingle Constantine intervened in life of Church Called ecumenical council at Nicaea Concern for those in need no longer dominated Christian thought Clerical positions important political positions Clerical aristocracy developed Adoption of imperial protocol in liturgies
City of God • Dominant image of Church at the time • Focus on: • Established order and hierarchy • Laws and common codes of belief and behavior central • Church place were society flourished
Apostasy • A total denial of Christ and a disavowal of the Christian faith • Some Christians believed Church was falling into apostasy with Baptism no longer a commitment that might end in martyrdom but a stop on road to luxury.
Christians flee to the desert. • Take up the hermit life • Embrace poverty • Viewed Church as dwelling place of God • All must act as Christ acted • Poverty, charity no longer seen as Christian norms; those of a select few lived ideals in name of entire Church
Symbol of civilization, protector of order. • From 5th-8th centuries Europe invaded by barbarians • Barbarians wished to participate in benefits of civilization • Tribal leaders adopted Christian faith as a sign and means of civilization • When leader converted, all those under him converted
Growing importance of the papacy: Protector of hope and order. • AD 452 Attila the Hun invaded Italy • Pope Leo the Great met with Attilah • Attilah did not invade Rome • Three years later, Vandals invade • Stopped from burning city of Rome by Pope Leo’s negotiations • 6th century Lombards invade Rome • Pope Gregory the Great negotiated peace
Church as sheepfold • After death of Gregory the Great Church lost effectiveness as moral leader • Emperors of East exert influence over western Church • Popes puppets of state • Church as sheepfold: place one was protected from “wolves” of evil and damnation
Roman civilization crumbled • Europe in anarchy • Protection and security priority • Church provided protection and security for danger of this world and uncertainties of the next world
Purgatory • Final purification of all who die in God’s grace and friendship but remain imperfectly purified • Final cleansing away of all sin and of all the consequences of sin • Pope Gregory the Great emphasized this Church teaching
Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne • AD 800 • Charlemagne king of the Franks • Crowned Emperor of the West at Christmas Day Mass
Charlemagne used church for own ends. • Thought of Church as branch of his government • Passed laws regarding life of church • Used Church as means of subduing his enemies • Baptism or death! • Appointed bishops as he did generals
Charlemagne’s mandates. • Sunday is day of rest and worship • Preaching done in language of people • Tithing mandatory (tithes as a tax) • Mandated monastic reform (must comply with Rule of Benedict) • Reformed Church schools
