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Development
of
Christianity
Branches of Christianity
Introduction
Christianity has undergone many changes over the course of history. Though it began in ancient times as
one church, it has divided into many separate churches. Each with its own set of beliefs and
practices. For non-Christians, understanding the differences among Christian churches can be
difficult.
The most significant division within Christianity occurred in 1054 CE when the Eastern and Western
churches separated. The Eastern church, as seen on the map (on the next slide) was composed of the
churches of Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia. The Capital of the Western church
was Rome, and the Roman Pope, or Bishop of Rome, claimed authority over both churches. The
Western church believed that the Pope was the person closest to God and, therefore, most capable of
leading Christians. But the Eastern church did not believe the Pope should have power over them.
This conflict, when added to the disputes of the past, finally caused the churches to split. From then
on, the Roman Catholic Church has been led by the Pope.
In the 16th century, a movement called the Reformation caused a split which divided the Roman Catholic
Church. At the time, there were many independent Christian groups. Although they did not all share
the same beliefs, they each rejected the central authority of the Pope and came to be known as
Protestants. It is difficult to speak about Protestantism as one religion since it has divided itself into
hundreds of separate sects. They include such groups as the Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, and
Presbyterians.
Each of these branches of Christianity maintains different beliefs and practices in different ways. The
chart (after the map) will help you follow the branches of Christian Churches.
Branches of Christianity
Early Christian Communities
Christian Communities:
– They gathered together informally in family
groups to worship and celebrate the Eucharist.
– Later in the 2nd century some Christians
donated houses which became house-churches
for Christian worship.
– Christians had a close fellowship, they shared
their belongings with one another.
– Christians put their belief into practice.
The Development of Early Christian communities
• The Jesus movement which lasted from approximately 30-60 CE
describes a period immediately following the death of Jesus where
the infant Christian community saw itself as a sect which existed
within the Jewish tradition
• Little emphasis was placed on laying down the infrastructure of the
movement because the followers believed that they were living in
the last days before the Parousia, the second coming of Christ.
• Small groups of Palestinian Jews followed Jesus through the
preaching of disciples such as Peter in and around Palestine
• Larger groups of Diaspora Jews and Gentiles responded to the
preaching of Paul
• Paul is typically considered as the second founder of Christianity
because he helped to set up the structure of this new religion and
hence confirm the status of Christianity vis-à-vis Judaism
The Development of Early Christian communities - continued
• The Council of Jerusalem in 49 CE formally resolved the debate
which divided the Pauline and Palestinian groups. The Council
accepted Paul's argument that Gentiles need not undergo
circumcision in order to become Christians. This Council is an
attempt to overcome differences within the infant Church. Despite
the formal resolution of the problem the tensions between the two
early communities continued for some time
• After the Council of Jerusalem in 49 CE Christians regarded
themselves as separate from the Jewish Religion
• The New Testament period which lasted from approximately 45 to
100 CE saw the gradual formalisation and centralisation of the
Christian Churches which meant that this new religion was
increasingly seen as distinct and separate from Judaism. The need
to institutionalise the charism of the movement came about as a
result of the delay of the Parousia and the death of the Apostles
• From 49 CE until 300 CE (2nd & 3rd century) the Church faced
increasing persecutions from the Roman Government and the Jews.
This does not mean that the persecution was continual throughout
this time as there were periods of peace
Christians were persecuted because:
– they refused to worship the Roman Emperor as a god,
– they met in secret and were protective about their worship – nonmembers were not allowed to attend. This led to many false
accusations and misunderstandings.
– the Roman Empire was in decline, there was moral decay,
unemployment, food shortages and the threat of war. Christians
were the ideal scapegoats.
– being Christian – you could face arrest, imprisonment, torture and
death. This was the age of the Martyrs.
Early Christian Communities - Questions
C - Outline why Christianity separate from the
Jewish Religion
C - Outline why Christians wouldn’t worship the
Roman Emperor
C - Identify why Christians were made the ideal
scapegoat
Early Christian Communities - Answers
©
OHP 1
1.
Roman Emperor
Constantine was facing
a battle against one of
his rivals in 312 CE
2.
3. He believed the God of the Christians
On the eve of battle, Constantine had a
dream of a glowing cross on which the
words were written “ In this sign you
will conquer”
had intervened and given him a victory
in battle.
Edict
of
Milan
P
5.
4.
All banners and shields now
have the Chi Rho on then.
In 313 CE Constantine and the Eastern Roman Emperor
Licinius, issued a policy know as the Edict of Milan,
which guaranteed complete freedom of religion to all in
the Empire, including Christians.
1998 Major Christian Denominations. This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use.
OHP 2
Constantine moved the capital of his
empire from Rome to Constantinople.
TURKEY
Constantinople
Rome
Constantinople was an ideal spot as it was, and
still is, the natural cross roads of trade and culture.
Persecution to Freedom – Questions
S - Outline what was the edict of Milan?
C - Describe the impact the edict of Milan had
on Christianity?
Optional Extension
E - Discuss the effect the decision that Constantine
made when he moved the capital city to
Constantinople.
Persecution to Freedom – Answers
OHP 3
The Great Schism
Constantinople
Antioch
Rome
Carthage
Western Empire
.
Jerusalem
Alexandria
Eastern Empire
THE RIFT BETWEEN
EAST AND WEST
1. Wording in the Nicene Creed was changed Latin (West)
"who proceeds from the Father“ added “and the Son”
2. East rejected the view of primacy which gave the Pope
supreme power throughout the Christian Church.
3. Differences in language (East – Greek, West – Latin),
customs and religious practices.
4. Liturgy in the West was simple compared to the lavish
liturgy of the East.
differences in style
5. Enormous physical difficulties: communication between
Rome and Constantinople made difficult because of
distances.
THE GREAT SCHISM
NOTES received in previous unit “The Church in History”
The Schism is the formal and willful separation from the unity of
the Church
In the seventh century only two of the five principal sites (sees- place of
learning) remained – these being Rome (West) and Constantinople (East).
The other three principal sites (Jerusalem, Antioch & Alexandria) where
now supporters of the new religion Islam.
However there was unrest between the authorities of each city, the Pope in
Rome (West) and the Patriarch in Constantinople (East). This unrest had
begun in second century where the belief that Rome was the centre for
authority, guidance in theological debates and that Peter had established the
Roman Church.
THE GREAT SCHISM continued
Furthermore the Unity between East and West was damaged by a number
of arguments:
The Date of Easter
Churches in Asia Minor (East) had kept Easter according to the Jewish
calendar so that it coincided with the Passover. Roman Churches
(West) had kept if on the Sunday closest to the fourteenth day of the
Jewish month of Nisan.
Filioque (and the Son)
The church in the west added a phrase to its creed that indicated the Holy
Spirit proceeded from both the Father and the Son. The church in
the East held to the belief that the Spirit proceeded from the Father
through the Son. This mater seemingly trivial was considered of
vital importance.
Icons
In 726 Eastern Emperor, Leo III (East) banned icons (images of Jesus,
Mary or the saints) for purpose of worship. Later the ban was lifted
by Pope Gregory II (West), to display his independence of the
Emperor.
THE GREAT SCHISM continued
Other Differences
• The East had maintained its scriptures in Greek while the West had translated
then into Latin.
• The ritual of the churches differed in external form and there were some difference
in practice.
The West celebrated the sacred meal of the Eucharist with unleavened bread, the East
with leavened bread.
The liturgy of the west was simple in comparison to the lavish liturgy of the East.
• The Patriarch of Constantinople (East) was not willing to accept the claim by the
Pope of Rome (West) for control of all Christianity.
• The Eastern Church believed that Christianity should be controlled by a council of
important leaders
• Physical difficulties: communication between Rome and Constantinople was mad
difficult because of the distance.
Cultural, Liturgical and Doctrinal differences developed with the
two Churches no longer understanding each other.
1054 the Pope of Rome sent an ambassador (legate) to Patriarch of Constantinople
who refused to meet him. The Patriarch of Constantinople was excommunicated
for his actions and thus began the Schism between East and West
©
OHP 4
JESUS
EARLY CHURCH (a time of persecution)
313 Constantine - Edict of Milan
GREAT SCHISM ( 1054 CE)
WESTERN
CATHOLIC
EASTERN
ORTHODOX
Pope in Rome
Patriarch of
Constantinople
Differences
1998 Major Christian Denominations. This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use.
GREAT SCHISM ( 1054 CE)
Differences
Complete the table below
WESTERN CATHOLIC
EASTERN ORTHODOX
The Rift between East and West
Place the correct information under the correct headings. Add any other information that you gather.
Western Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Icons
Unleavened bread
Leaven bread
Monks wore the tonsure (their heads were shaved
in the centre).
Monks did not cut their hair.
Bishops, monks and priest were celibate.
Bishops and monks were celibate.
Priests could marry.
Language of the Mass was Greek.
Language of the Mass was Latin.
Liturgy was a simple style.
Liturgy was lavish and elaborate.
Pope
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Great Schism- Questions
Complete one S questions and one C-question.
S1- List reasons for the Schism
S2- What city became the centre of the Orthodox church?
S3- What city became the centre of the Catholic church?
C1- Outline one argument that caused disunity.
C2-Explain the differences in the liturgy between East & West
Optional Extension
E- Explain how the Schism may have been prevented
The Great Schism- Answers
Background to the Reformation
Middle ages 1400 – 1650
• Europe was in turmoil.
• Christian Church had once been the stable centre
of European life – it now began to falter.
• Relationships between Pope and the kings of
Europe changed – kings now wanted to control the
Pope.
Papal Theory
Imperial Theory
God
Pope
God
Pope
Emperor
Emperor
• Selling of indulgences
Background to the Reformation Middle ages 1400 – 1650 continued
• The Black Death – 1347
–
–
–
–
towns were wiped out
many Priests died administering to the sick
shortage of priests
new priests poorly educated – selection was hasty and often illadvised
– hence the quality of priesthood declined
• Battles over papacy raged – two people claiming
to be Pope.
• Italy was torn apart by wars and inquisition
• Problems with clergy
– concubinage
– pluralism
– nepotism
Causes of the Reformation
o Abuses occurring in the Catholic Church.
• Clerical exemptions from civil law.
• Corrupt and uneducated clergy.
• Rivalry between religious orders.
o Spirituality
• For some, the Protestant reformation was a quest for a
new spirituality.
o Money
• Taxation to support the papacy and clerics was excessive
and often corrupt.
o Papacy
• There were corrupt Popes.
Causes of the Reformation continued
o Power of Kings.
Conflict between religious and state leaders. Kings had the
power to appoint the higher clergy who become the King’s
men in Church robes.
o New learning.
• Bible was translated into Greek, making it more
accessible to the people.
• The printing press made it more accessible, reducing the
dependence on the clergy for the Christian message.
The Reformation
NOTES received in previous unit “The Church in History”
The world of the late medieval Roman Catholic Church from which the 16th-century Reformers emerged
was a complex one. Over the centuries the church, particularly in the office of the papacy, had
become deeply involved in the political life of Western Europe.
Abuses such as the sale of indulgences (or spiritual privileges) by the clergy and other charges of
corruption undermined the church's spiritual authority.
Religious purists in the agrarian hinterland of the West objected strongly to the new secular or materialist
spirit growing up with the Renaissance. One of these was the German professor-priest Martin Luther
who in 1517 issued a challenge the church over this new interest in worldly affairs. He wanted the
church to return to the pure (spiritual) ways of the early church--and back away from all this recent
interest in power and wealth-which was rapidly corrupting it. Also, he wanted faith initiatives to be
returned to the individual believer. Priesthood belonged to the believer--not to the religious hierarchy.
To press home this challenge, Luther translated the Bible into German--to give the common people
access to all priestly authority: the Word of God.
Martin Luther claimed that what distinguished him from previous reformers was that while they attacked
corruption in the life of the church, he went to the theological root of the problem—the perversion of
the church's doctrine of redemption and grace.
In his Ninety-five Theses, he attacked the indulgence system, insisting that the pope had no authority over
purgatory and that the doctrine of the merits of the saints had no foundation in the gospel. . Here lay
the key to Luther's concerns for the ethical and theological reform of the church: Scripture alone is
authoritative (sola sciptura) and justification is by faith (sola fide), not by works. While he did not
intend to break with the Catholic Church, a confrontation with the papacy was not long in coming. In
1521 Luther was excommunicated; what began as an internal reform movement had become a
fracture in western Christendom.
.
The Reformation continued
Irritated, the Church told him to cease his challenge. But he refused to yield.
When princely political interests came to his aid--his rebellion exploded.
The "Lutheran" movement began spreading across the north of
Germany. It would soon overtake Scandinavia. Medieval Europe, or what
was left of it, began rapidly to fall into a state of civil war.
The Reformation movement within Germany diversified almost immediately,
and other reform impulses arose independently of Luther. Huldrych
Zwingli built a Christian theocracy in Zürich in which church and state
joined for the service of God. Zwingli agreed with Luther in the centrality
of the doctrine of justification by faith, but he espoused a different
understanding of the Holy Communion. Luther had rejected the Catholic
Church's doctrine of transubstantiation, according to which the bread and
wine in Holy Communion became the actual body and blood of Christ.
According to Luther's notion, the body of Christ was physically present in
the elements because Christ is present everywhere, while Zwingli claimed
that entailed a spiritual presence of Christ and a declaration of faith by the
recipients.
The Reformation continued
Another important form of Protestantism is Calvinism, named for John
Calvin, a French lawyer who fled France after his conversion to the
Protestant cause. In Basel, Switzerland, Calvin brought out the first edition of
his Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536, the first systematic,
theological paper of the new reform movement. Calvin agreed with Luther's
teaching on justification by faith. Calvin also stressed the doctrine of
predestination and interpreted Holy Communion as a spiritual partaking of
the body and blood of Christ. Calvin began to assemble protestant scholars
and teachers who would take the movement back to their home provinces.
The Reformation spread to other European countries over the course of the
16th century. By mid century, Lutheranism dominated northern Europe.
Eastern Europe offered a seedbed for even more radical varieties of
Protestantism, because kings were weak, nobles strong, and cities few, and
because religious pluralism had long existed. The "Reformed" movement
was well planted in the towns and cities of England, Scotland, Netherlands,
France, Western Germany, Bohemia, Hungary--and even parts of Poland and
Spain (where it later got eradicated by the Catholic counter-reformation).
Spain and Italy were to be the great centres of the Counter-Reformation,
and Protestantism never gained a strong foothold there.
Bibliography
www.newgenevacenter.org/west/reformation.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9063023/Reformation
The Reformation Polka
View “Reformation Polka”
Video downloaded with this presentation
“Explaining the Reformation Polka” handout can be
borrowed from your teacher, containing Lyrics &
Explanation.
The Reformation - Questions
Complete one S-questions and two C-question.
S-List reasons for the reformation
S – Identify what were the 95 Theses
C – Outline what was the Reformation
C - Define Transubstantiation
C – Describe what was Luther’s main concern about the
Church?
Optional Extension
E – Write your own Reformation song
The Reformation - Answers
The English Reformation
NOTES received in previous unit “The Church in History
In England the Reformation's roots were both political and religious.
The English Reformation began in 1534 when King Henry VIII (1509-1547)
despaired of obtaining a male heir to succeed him on the throne from his
existing wife, Catherine of Aragon. Therefore, he requested Pope Clement VII
to annul his marriage to Catherine. Since Catherine objected and was,
furthermore, the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, the Pope
hesitated. Impatient with the delay, Henry acted by repudiating Papal authority
and setting up the Anglican Church as the State Church of England with the
King as "Protector and Only Supreme Head of the Church and Clergy of
England" (the supreme head).
At the time, Henry did not intend to create a Protestant church along the lines
evolving on the continent under the influence of the moderate German, Martin
Luther, or more radical reformers such as the Frenchman, John Calvin. He
only wanted to be the supreme head of an English Catholic Church.
Nevertheless, Protestant ideas infiltrated England and Scotland, and Protestant
churches were organized, thus setting the stage for 150 years of religious
conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and between subsets of the
Protestants.
The English Reformation
continued
In spite of its political implications, the reorganization of the church permitted the
beginning of religious change in England, which included the preparation of a
liturgy in English, the Book of Common Prayer.
In Scotland in the 1500s, John Knox, who spent time in Geneva and was greatly
influenced by John Calvin, led the establishment of Presbyterianism, which
made possible the eventual union of Scotland with England. About the same
time the Puritan movement, also Calvinist in origin, came to notice in England
as the result of insistence by Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603).
Throughout the 1600s English monarchs, except for two brief, bloody and
unsuccessful attempts to restore Catholicism, sought primarily to assure the
supremacy of the State Church of England by enforcing conformity with
Anglican doctrine and practice. At the same time, they were engaged in
threatening confrontations with a Parliament that increasingly challenged the
right of the King to make laws, decide legal cases, and enforce religious
conformity and levy taxes.
Bibliography
http://elane.stanford.edu/wilson/Text/3d.html
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9063023/Reformation
Three strands of the Reformation
o Luther (Catholic monk, taught Scripture at the University of Wittenberg)
Important doctrines.
• Sola Scripture. (Scripture alone) He denied everything that could not be backed up by
scripture.
• Retained only two sacraments, Baptism and Eucharist.
• Introduced the vernacular into the Eucharist. (Catholic Church used Latin until the
1960’s).
• Believed in the real presence (Christ is truly present in the Eucharist) but denied
Transubstantiation.(That the bread and wine is changed into the actual body and blood
of Christ in the Eucharist).
o English Reformation
• After failing to get an annulment, Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church in
England.
• Basically supported all Catholic doctrines except the supremacy of the Pope.
• Protestant doctrines only accepted after Henry’s death.
• English reformation completed under Elizabeth I (Henry’s daughter). A religion
blending Catholic, Lutheran and Calvinist elements.
o Calvinism
• Calvin (A Frenchman who settled in Geneva) shaped a third reformation tradition.
• The rigorous pursuit of moral righteousness was a primary feature.
• John Knox carried Calvinism to Scotland where it became Presbyterianism.
Counter Reformation
• The Catholic Church underwent reform, especially through the
Council of Trent which renewed church life and discipline and
cemented teachings on scripture, sacraments and the means of
salvation.
• Inner and outward renewal for Catholics where in the form of
moral and doctrine renewal, and the reinforcement of the
importance of scripture and tradition as sources of God’s
salvation.
• Clarification of the catholic Church’s belief in the seven
sacraments
• Condemned abuse by priests and bishops
• Established seminaries for great education of priests
• Reformed prayer books and catechisms
• Emergence of new religious orders such as the Benedictines,
Augustinian, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits and cathusians.
Comparison of Christian Denominations
Use the following information to complete worksheet
Luther
Key event 95 Theses posted in
15171.Humans are depraved.
Faith alone justifies.
2.The Bible, not the Pope is the
centre of authority. Individual
interpretation of the Bible.
3. Accepts Baptism and Eucharist
as the only sacraments.
4. Believe that bread and wine and
Body and blood co - exist in the
Eucharist.
5. Rejects: Holy days, fast days,
honouring saints, indulgences,
rosary, monasticism.
Calvin
Key event Institutes of the
Christian Religion published in
15361. Human nature since
Adam’s fall is utterly depraved.
Some are predestined for
salvation. Christ died for the
Elect.
2.Rejects whatever cannot be
found in the Bible.
3. Accepts Baptism and Eucharist
as the only sacraments.
4. Christ is only spiritually present
in the Eucharist.
5. Rejects: vestments, altar,
images, organs, hymns.
Comparison of Christian Denominations
Anglicanism
Key event Henry VIII established
the Church of England in 1534
2. The King (or Queen) is the head
of the Church.
3. Belief in the seven sacraments
including the priest hood.
4.
5. Accepts most Catholic beliefs
and practices.
Catholicism
Key event. The Council of Trent in
1545 - 1563.1.Faith and good
works is our means of
Salvation.
2.The supremacy of the Pope is
reaffirmed.
3. Seven sacraments including
reconciliation and marriage
4. Belief in Transubstantiation
defined.
5. Rejected corrupt behaviour but
redefined most beliefs. eg
Purgatory, non divorce.
Differences between the Churches
have centred on:
• Belief about Baptism
• How the Churches celebrate Eucharist
• Different kinds of ministry (clergy)
©
OHP 10
WESTERN
CATHOLIC
ROMAN
CATHOLIC
REFORMATION
(16th Century)
PROTESTANT
Luther
Calvin
Henry VIII
Zwingli
The Christian Churches that developed have been
influenced by either one or more of the above characters.
1998 Major Christian Denominations. This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use.
The Reformation & English Reformation - Questions
Complete one M-questions and two C-question.
M- Identify who was Luther?
M – Identify who was John Calvin
M – Identify who was Henry VIII
C – Outline what was the English Reformation
C- Outline different practices regarding sacraments
C- Describe Henry VIII’s problem with the Catholic Church
Optional Extension
E-Explain how the Catholic Church responded to the reformist
movement
E-Imagine if the Reformation had not occurred. Predict the effect
on the Catholic Church today.
The Reformation & English Reformation - Answers
Main Steams of Christianity Today
Main Steams of Christianity Today
Question - With reference to the previous diagram account for changes
in Christianity that have produced the Main Streams of Christianity .
Answer
©
OHP 11
Catholic Church
Lutheran
Calvinism
Anglican
Anabaptists
Reformed Churches
Methodist
Baptists
Quakers
Amish
Presbyterian
Pentecostal
1998 Major Christian Denominations. This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use.
Congregational
Uniting Church
The Reformation - PowerPoints
From the folder downloaded with this presentation,
choose one of the presentations, view the
presentations and summarise below what
interesting information you gained from this
presentation.
The Reformation
The Reformation
Summarize what you have learnt