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THE EARLY CHURCH CONSTANTINE - CRUSADES FROM PERSECUTION TO RECOGNITION TO WAR CHURCHES IN 100 CE CHURCHES IN 200 CE CHURCHES IN 300 CE EARLY CHURCH LEADERS/TEACHERS APPEAL OF CHRISTIANITY • Spread due to 5 main factors: 1. Embraced all people – men, women, slaves, poor, nobles 2. Gave hope to the powerless 3. Appealed to those who were repelled by Roman extravagance 4. Offered personal relationship with a loving God 5. Promised eternal life after death EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATION • As the faith spreads, it takes on an organizational hierarchy • No such thing as “clergy” as a profession in first centuries • There are local priests and then regional bishops or overseers • As church grew, need for more “organization” (2nd century) • Alexandria and Antioch = important centers • Bishops here held in greater esteem, therefore title of “patriarch” • Eventually, the bishop of Rome becomes the pope PERSECUTION • Romans were typically tolerant of foreign religions • State religion was way of assuring allegiance to State • Judaism was legal religion which provided some protection for Christians during early years • Fall of Jerusalem put permanent rift between Jews and Christians • Romans began to see Christianity was its own religion • For first 300 years Christians could be legally persecuted for their beliefs REASONS FOR ROMAN PERSECUTION: POPULAR OPINION • Separated themselves from immorality and idolatry • This particularly angered those who prospered from idolatry • Refused to worship Roman Gods • Had no idols or temples brought charge of atheism • Claimed to have absolute religion in pluralistic society • Somewhat secretive – breeds suspicion • Accused of many ludicrous fabrications • Blamed for earthquakes, floods, etc. REASONS FOR ROMAN PERSECUTION: GOVERNMENT FEAR • Refused to worship Caesar – questionable loyalty • Threat to state religion and thus unity of empire • Unified group that proclaimed their own king (Christ) • Proselytized PERSECUTION • Persecution was typically restricted to local inflammations • They would be released by simply denying Christ or sacrificing to the Emperor • There were occasional intense outbreaks due to certain emperors (e.g. Nero) • When put to death, Christians were often subjected to incredible cruelty including: • • • • • • Thrown to lions Burned at stake Used as torches Beheaded Tortured Crucified PERSECUTING EMPERORS • Nero (64 A.D.) blamed Christians for fire which destroyed large part of Rome. First severe persecution • Domitian (81-96) second emperor to intensify persecution • Trajan (99-117) intensified persecution in an attempt to stamp out secret associations • Hadrian (117 – 138) briefly intensified persecution of Christians when Jews revolted and were subsequently slaughtered • Decius (249-251) made the thorough repression of Christianity a key part of his reign • Valerian (243-260) initially spared Christians but eventually led an attempt to execute or banish all bishops • Diocletian (303-311) resumed general persecution THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER • Peter the Apostle traveled to Rome and was crucified upside down by Nero • Believed to be the first “Bishop” or Pope of the Christian Church • Today, all Popes are believed to be descendants of St. Peter • We now call this the “Catholic” church which means “Universal” CHRISTIANITY RECOGNIZED • Christianity spread throughout Roman Empire • 312 A.D., Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and issued the Edict of Milan which gave freedoms and equality to Christians • 380 A.D., Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire CONSTANTINE’S CONVERSION • Turning Point: Battle of Milvian Bridge • According to various Christian sources, Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, and with it the Greek words “In this sign, conquer!” • Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the ChiRho), and thereafter they were victorious. A monogram of chi (Χ) and rho (Ρ) as the first two letters of Greek Khristos Christ, used as a Christian symbol EDICT OF MILAN (313) • Constantine legalized Christianity, granting religious freedom to everyone, with Christians getting special mention • Constantine reunited the Empire and wanted to maintain unity at all costs • Church as a means to achieve that unity • First Christian Emperor • Radically changed both the Church of his time and the Church of the future CONSTANTINE’S MOTIVES? Historians disagree on this… • Although Constantine certainly identified with the Church, his motives are debated: Was he a true, believing Christian [it seems he wasn’t baptized until his death bed]? Or did he use the Church for his unification campaign? Or both? • He believed that God had given him the duty to direct the Church [a state–controlled religion] • He believed that the Roman state’s survival depended on the unity of the Church POSITIVE EFFECTS OF CONSTANTINE’S RULE • Christianity transformed from a persecuted minority religion to an official religion of the Empire • Bishops given honors and were allowed to function as judges • More humane punishments • Building of new churches with public money • Christians influence society in positive ways • New converts • Monasticism developed rapidly • Peace allowed a persecuted church to be secure CRISIS DUE TO CONSTANTINE’S RULE • Being a Christian became easier; less risk • Whole households, tribes, etc. were baptized if leader was baptized • Some people converted for upwardly mobile, political reasons • State influence over the Church increased • Some in Church began to identify less with powerless and poor • Pagan custom was prohibited and state persecuted pagans and those considered heretics THE CHURCH GROWS • By the middle of the fourth century, Christianity was a significant influence in the Roman Empire • A social 'glue,' holding the Empire together • But the Church struggled with internal divisions, and for Constantine, division in the Church threatened political instability • Doctrine had developed and solidified during persecution; challenges to Christian beliefs continued COUNCILS – EXPLAINING THE FAITH • Doctrine developed in the face of controversy and persecution • Challenges and splinter groups led to clarification and expression of church teachings • Councils were an effective way to clarify major theological disagreements that threatened Church unity • Followed Apostolic model, and must be convened or recognized by the Pope THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA • Constantine called the Council of Nicaea • Sought to settle some religious disputes and provide some standard Christian doctrines NICENE CREED • I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. • And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. • Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. • And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. • And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. BARBARIANS THE FALL OF ROME • Rome didn’t fall in one catastrophic event (410476) • Last roman emperor (Romulus Augustulus) deposed in 476 by Odoacer • But this wasn’t the real cause of the fall – that came about when masses of barbarians overflowed the northern and eastern borders. • The cause? The Huns! CHANGING THE FACE OF EUROPE • Odoacer dethrones last emperor in West (476 A.D.) • West deteriorates into multitude of barbarian kingdoms • The Church was the only organized institution • Even where barbarians did not destroy the Empire’s infrastructure, they had no clue how to maintain it • Cities eventually disappeared • Although pagan barbarians adopted Christianity, their ignorance and low morals actually lowered society’s standards • Conversion of Frankish king, Clovis, leads to conversion of barbarians – common religion brought some unity CHANGING THE FACE OF EUROPE • Church must assume much of the role of the state • Gregory the Great [d. 604] increases power of papacy to fill vacuum of civil leadership EUROPE IN THE 6TH CENTURY THE POWER OF THE CHURCH • The decline of Rome led the church to assume many political and social tasks • Bishop of Rome, now the Pope, became the strongest political leader in W. Europe. • The Pope claimed spiritual authority over all Christians • Many Bishops and Abbots were nobles who received land • Local lords began to control many church offices and lands - contrary to church tradition - appointing leaders • Signs of corruption RISE OF EUROPEAN MONARCHY • After decline of Rome…no central authority existed until the 1100 ADs when many European monarchs began building strong states THREATS IN THE EAST • Islamic threat grows – Northern Africa falls along with much of East. Invasions stopped in Spain THE CRUSADES • Europeans undertook a series of military expeditions (9) to reclaim the holy lands (Jerusalem) from the Muslims Why did the Christians consider these lands holy? • This was where Jesus was killed and resurrected Why did the Muslims consider these lands holy? • This was where Muhammad ascended to heaven • In the 600s AD, Jerusalem fell to Muslim Arabs • Christians and Jews were allowed to live there peacefully • In the 1000s AD, the Seljuk Turks (Muslims from Asia) took over and closed the city to Jewish and Christian pilgrims 1ST CRUSADE • November, 1095 CE • Pope Urban II addresses crowds imploring them to take back the holy lands • “God Wills It!” 1ST CRUSADE • June, 1099AD- Jerusalem falls to the Europeans • Religious fever cools down… but tensions are rising between Muslims and Christians 2ND CRUSADE • Less than 50 years later, the Seljuks recapture part of the Palestine states • Pope Eugenius IV calls for the second crusade • It fails… They were easily defeated • This crusade only lasted from 1147-1149AD 3RD CRUSADE • 1187 AD a forceful leader named Saladin united the Muslims • Took back Jerusalem - Europe was horrified! • Many kings, including King Richard I of England assembled warriors for a third crusade (called the “Crusade of Kings”) 3RD CRUSADE • After three years of fighting King Richard called a truce • Many other crusades followed… none were successful