Three Key Periods in the History of the Church - Coursework Example

Three key periods in the history of the Church Name Class Professor name School City/state Date Introduction Catholics is the largest Christian religion in the world, it encompasses of up to 1.5 billion worshippers worldwide. The way Catholics are defined depends on the word Roman Catholics; there are some Catholics, who object the word Roman because they do not regards themselves as Romans. That group of Catholics is referred to as Uniate Catholics. This name was given to the eastern Christians or orthodox churches who joined the Catholics and followed the Catholics laws but retained their traditional practices and canon laws (Jones, 2005 p.7874). There are also some Christians who consider themselves as Catholics but they do not follow the authority of roman Bishop. This group of Christians argues that the churches who are in communion with Rome should call themselves Roman Catholic to be distinguished from other Catholic entities such as Anglican, Orthodox and Certain Protestants who follow the catholic doctrine but they are not in communion with Rome (Jones, 2005 p.7874). According to some Catholic Protestants, Roman Catholic did not start as a church until the time of reformation, so they view Roman Catholicism as no less denomination that Presbyterianism or Methodism (Jones, 2005 p.7875). Roman Catholicism means a church and a tradition. Roman Catholic is referred to as a church within a universal church if the body of Christ is understood irrespective of the religion. With full knowledge of Christian tradition, Roman Catholic tradition is seen as one of the traditions in Christian traditions (Jones, 2005 p.7875). This essay will identify and describe three periods in the history of the Catholic Church namely East-west schism, the reformation and Vatican II and analyze their significance for teaching Religious Education. Roman Catholic Church exists in both local and international level. According to the cannon law of the Catholic Church, a local church refers to a diocese. In catholic theology, the word local church has a wider meaning and may refer to provinces, parishes and national churches (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). A diocese is a form of local church that is made up of several parishes. A diocese is lead by a bishop while a parish is lead by a priest. What holds all the Catholics in the world together in solidarity is the bond between them and the diocese of Rome lead by the pope. As a church, Roma catholic is marked by several doctrinal and theological emphases. They believe that everything comes from God, sustained by God, and it is also transformed by God presence. The word catholic is defined as universal (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The greatest opposition to Catholicism is not Protestants but sectarianism movement within Christianity, this movement believes that a church is a congregation of those who truly believe in god, the precinct of righteousness and against the unredeemed sins of the world. To them dialogue and collaboration is another way of inviting compromise (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The difference between sectarianism and Catholics is not clear but it can be seen as they approach the social question. Catholic doctrine recognizes the presence and power of sin but they believe that the grace of god is more powerful than all. Catholics calls the Christians to believe in God and through the power of Holy Spirit the whole world will live in perfection to the requirements of the kingdom of God (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The first period in the history of the church that I will discuss is East-west Schism. East-west schism is also called Eastern Schism. It marks the period in which the eastern churches such as Orthodox and Byzantine breaks from the western churches (Latin Catholic) (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, 98). The break between the eastern and western churches dates back to the period of 1054, this break up left the Christians with a huge burden. After the 7 century, Middle East and North Africa churches were being controlled by Islam or it has been destroyed by Islam (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.14). In the 8 century, the Islam managed to rule North Africa and parts of Europe. In the eastern part, their rule put pressure on Christian’s leadership leading in to the fall of Constantinople Empire in 1453 and they continue towards northwestward to Vienna in 17 century (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.14). After the fall of Constantinople, the power and culture of the Christians remain in Greek East. At that time, the western Latin Church continued to spread in the northern Europe advocating for evangelism from the Rome center. In this area papacy worked and the church managed to establish an empire in the tribal west (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.98). The tension between the east and set churches resulted from cultural, theological and politics. The difference escalated following the different approaches towards scholarship, theology, and church order (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). Many other elements brought about the separation of east and west Christians. The rift grew wider in 1054 when patriarch Michael Gerularious was excommunicated from church by cardinal Humbert with no concrete reasons. When the cardinal expelled the patriarch there was no pope in the Rome, which raises a lot of questions from both sides of the Christians (Ryan, 2006, p.87). What brought about the division in theology was the statement “and the son”, this word is in parenthesis. In Latin, the word translates to filioque. This means in Latin a doctrine of double procession. In western belief, it means that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the father and the son (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). The word was inserted in Spain to counteract Arianism (Ryan, 2006, p.87). The word was later on used throughout the west though pope had earlier on rejected. In liturgy, the use of leavened and unleavened bread has also divided the church as a result of pneumalogical concerns; this has lead to rebaptism between different churches (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). Tension has been existing between east and west on whether which liturgy jurisdiction should prevail. The growth of western empire in 800 brought about political tension (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.98). During the 11th century, there was crisis in the west which pushed for reforms in the church that entailed papal claims and centralization of both ecclesiastical and civil matters, this was in conflict with Byzantine understand of the doctrine (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.16). The 4 crusade of 1204 was the last blow between the unity of east and west Christians. During that crusade, the western Christians invaders attacked the churches and cities of Byzantine Orthodox, after the attack they replaced the canonical bishops with Latin prelates, they also destroyed the holy places (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). The second period is the reformation period. The reformation period marks the start of division in western Christian churches into Catholicism and Protestantism. No specific time for reformation is known, it is believed to have started in 1517 by Martin Luther when he pinned 95 theses in order to destroy Roman Catholic. Henry VIII established the Church of England in 1534 after being expelled from the church for trying to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon (Dixon, 2005, p.154). Martin Luther is well known in the history as the most radical reformer. He was an Augustinian monk who was powerful priest. He protested because he didn’t like the liturgical, theological, and papal extremes in Christianity (Dixon, 2005, p.154). Following the protest of reformers, the church responded with Council of Trent in 1545. Through the council, pope addressed the abuses that was going on in the church, pope send all the bishops to live in their dioceses and started the books called Index of Forbidden in order to contain Protestants. The Trent council runs from 1545 to 1563, their main objective was to clarify the doctrine of the Catholic Church and come up with reforms that will make the church acceptable (Dixon, 2005, p.154). There was a difference between the Lutherans and Charles V, during the Nuremberg diet in 1523, Martin Luther demanded a free Christian council on German soil. To the Lutherans this will mean a council free of hope. They also wanted the bible to be the only touchstone at the council and laity is represented on German soil. The Nuremberg tenor made pope CLEMENT VI to be dilatory in his treatment to the council demand; the tenor was also supported by Emperor CHARLES V (Dixon, 2005, p.154). Lutherans came up with new ecclesiastical organization and presented a profession of faith at the diet of Augsburg in 1530. The emperor tried to reach a consensus between the two groups but to no avail (Dixon, 2005, p.154). Pope PAUL III becomes the first pope to make the council part of his program (Gale, 2003, p.168). But convocation agreed on when Charles V visited Rome was not successful because the duke of Mantua wanted a provision of a powerful papal leadership on council. In 1542, pope summoned the council of Trent, but the negotiations were cut off after a disagreement between Charles V and Francis I emerge and the council was suspended. Under the leadership of Paul III and Julius III from 1545 to 1552, the 2nd convocation was successful because pope and emperor managed to reach an agreement on a common plan to be launched against the German Protestants (Gale, 2003, p.168). The plan was that the Protestants be broken by use of military force and be forced to present themselves to the council and submit their decision. After the death of Paul III, Julius III succeeded her. There was pressure from the emperor for the council to be transferred back to the Trent and pope yielded to the pressure and the council was transferred back to the Trent (Gale, 2003, p.168). From 1562 to 1563, Pius IV opened the council following the Calvinism the Catholics was facing in France (Gale, 2003, p.168). The treat was so huge that only the council could rescue the situation. The council deliberated on establishing seminaries, looked at the reforms petition raised by the bishops, and enacting dogmatic and disciplinary decree on marriage. The reformation period had various significance in the history of the church. The significance of the council Trent is that it was the church respond to the Protestant Reformation. The reformation managed to differentiate catholic doctrine from the protestant doctrine (Gale, 2003, p.168). It also removed the disastrous obscurity and they made it clear what was important element of faith and what was merely theological. The reform by the council was not the best solution but a compromise between the radical reformers curial traditional wishes. New Catholic piety, the reformation of scholastic theology, and the formation of positive theology came as a result of the council of Trent (Gale, 2003, p.175). The reforms were not simply the restoration of the old church but it brought about several new features to the church. The third period is the second Vatican council. The second Vatican has been one of the most important events in the history of the Catholic Church. During this period, the Catholic Church was leaped to become truly a world church, before that many people considers catholic as a European and North America religion. Vatican II was formed by Pope John XXIII and it existed between 1962 and 1965 (Paul, 1986, p.67). During the meetings bishops across the world, members who represent other religions and those who were experts in theology discussed and debated the different contents from different religions. The council managed to promulgate 16 documents, 4 constitutions, 9 decrees, and 3 declarations (Paul, 1986, p.67). The council was not like the previous councils which were being called to resolve the theological difference, but this one was meant for pastoral reasons. Pope wanted the church to adapt to the changing world, and also engage itself in more broadly in search of Christian unity (Paul, 1986, p.67). The council was concerned with renewal, such as liturgical renewal, renewal of the church understanding about revelation, and renewal on the way catholic will engage other churches. The other things the council deliberated on was the divine revelation, the council gave a way forward for the use of historical critical methods of exegesis and encourages Christians to look for the deep meaning of scriptures (Paul, 1986, p.67). The constitution of the church known as ‘the pastoral constitution in the church’ calls on the Catholics in the world to engage in and with the world. In the hierarchy of truths, all truths should be believed with the same faith but they are not equally significant (Paul, 1986, p.67). There is no list of hierarchy believes in the church but individual can think of believes that are more important than others. The Vatican period had significance in the development of the church. It is significant for religious teachers to be conscious of hierarchy of truths when they are planning and teaching students of religious education (English, 1996, p.54). The hierarchy of truth suggests that it is wrong for a school to offer education on Mary without paying the required attention to the doctrine of Trinity (English, 1996, p.54). The unit of Mary is significant in catholic institutions but it is important for the students to have a solid understanding about Jesus Christ. Vatican II is also significant since it encourages a healthier and a better understanding of other religions. Nostra Aetate document that was drafted by the council is important because it changed the mindset of the Catholics towards other religion tradition. The document encourages dialogue and understanding between catholic and other religions (English, 1996, p.54). There is significance of teaching religious education in schools in relation to the 3 key periods. Teaching religious education in schools is a support task for families in the education work. Vatican II claimed that school education is the most important element of education (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.132). Education in catholic schools cultivates the child intellectual capacity and matures the capacity to the right judgment. Education gives introduction in to the cultural heritage of the generation group, promotes a sense of value and prepares a child on how to live. The catholic council sees schools as institution that offers assistance to parents in educating the children but they do not take full responsibility for total education for a child (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.132). The teachers in the community take the responsibility of complementary and supportive of the first educators who are parents. Religious Education is life long meaning that it takes place in a wide variety of contexts such as church groups, jobs, friendship networks, and sporting activities. Education has changed Australian families for the better over the past generation (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.132). Learning about religion and beliefs will inform our values and this will shape our behaviors and what we say. Religious education on East-west Schism provoke the hard questions on how and why the eastern churches such as Orthodox and Byzantine breaks from the western churches (Gideon, 1988). It also brings about challenging questions about the meaning of life, the matters of right and wrong and nature of reality. Teaching has developed children knowledge and understanding on different natures of religion and their beliefs such as traditional religions, Catholicism, and the understanding that brings about solutions to these hard questions (Gideon, 1988). Education gives opportunity for individual reflection and form of expression that influences individuals and families. Following the religious education that was offered in Australia, children get encouraged to learn about different religions, beliefs, and traditions at the same time exploring their beliefs and asking questions of what it means (Gideon, 1988). Children from protestant, catholic and traditional religions will gain knowledge and will scrutinize the beliefs, teaching, and practices of the different religions. In conclusion, The Catholic Church has evolved over several periods of time and in each an every period different transformation took place. In the article, three periods are discussed; these are East-west schism, the reformation and Vatican II. During the East-west schism, the eastern churches broke from the western churches, the division occurred at around 1054. The second key period is the reformation period, this mark the separation within the western churches which lead in to the formation of Catholicism and Protestantism. This division was promted by Martin Luther when he went against the catholic doctrine terming it as incorrect. The third important period in the history of the church is the second Vatican. This period has been known to have been the most important period in the development of the Catholic Church. In this period, the Catholic Church was transformed in to a universal church unlike the past where catholic was viewed as a European and North America religion. When religious education is thought in schools, it supports the task of the families since families are considered to be the most important institution of offering religious education. Learning about religion and beliefs will inform our values and this will shape our behaviors and what we say. Religious education on East-west Schism provoke the hard questions on how and why the eastern churches such as Orthodox and Byzantine breaks from the western churches. References Jones, L. (2005). Roman Catholicism. Encyclopedia of Religion. London: Detroit. Pp. 7873- 7888 Gros, J., McManus, E. & Riggs A. (1998). History of ecumenism. Introduction to Ecumenism. London. Gale. (2003). Reading council of Trent. Trent Council of New Catholic encyclopedia. Comby, J and MacCulloch. (1989). How to read church history (volume 2) from the reformation to present day. Dixon, R. (2005).
The Catholic community in Australia.
Adelaide: Open book (pp1-10) Ryan, M. (2001). “Mythic foundations of Australian catholic schools: Assessing the heritage for religious educators”. In Ryan (ed) Echo and silence: Contemporary issues for Australian religious education. Katoomba: Social Science Press (pp217-230) Ryan, M. (2006). 
Family, church, government: Partners in religious education. In Religious education in Catholic schools. Melbourne: David Lovell Feider Paul A. (1986). 'Sacrificing for the meal- the Eucharist', The Sacraments: encountering the risen Lord. Adelaide; Ave Maria Press Rymarz R. (2003). 'The Light of the East- teaching about Eastern churches', Journal of religious education, Vol.51(2), p.51-55 Goosen Gideon. (1988). 'Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism: The Tale of two sisters', Word in Life, Vol. 36(4), p.13-17 English G. (1996). 'Some of the Christians in Australia', In Kathleen Engebretson. Creating meaning: Essays in belief. Social Science Press, p.171-188 Read More

As a church, Roma catholic is marked by several doctrinal and theological emphases. They believe that everything comes from God, sustained by God, and it is also transformed by God presence. The word catholic is defined as universal (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The greatest opposition to Catholicism is not Protestants but sectarianism movement within Christianity, this movement believes that a church is a congregation of those who truly believe in god, the precinct of righteousness and against the unredeemed sins of the world.

To them dialogue and collaboration is another way of inviting compromise (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The difference between sectarianism and Catholics is not clear but it can be seen as they approach the social question. Catholic doctrine recognizes the presence and power of sin but they believe that the grace of god is more powerful than all. Catholics calls the Christians to believe in God and through the power of Holy Spirit the whole world will live in perfection to the requirements of the kingdom of God (Rymarz, 2003, p.52). The first period in the history of the church that I will discuss is East-west Schism.

East-west schism is also called Eastern Schism. It marks the period in which the eastern churches such as Orthodox and Byzantine breaks from the western churches (Latin Catholic) (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, 98). The break between the eastern and western churches dates back to the period of 1054, this break up left the Christians with a huge burden. After the 7 century, Middle East and North Africa churches were being controlled by Islam or it has been destroyed by Islam (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.14). In the 8 century, the Islam managed to rule North Africa and parts of Europe.

In the eastern part, their rule put pressure on Christian’s leadership leading in to the fall of Constantinople Empire in 1453 and they continue towards northwestward to Vienna in 17 century (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.14). After the fall of Constantinople, the power and culture of the Christians remain in Greek East. At that time, the western Latin Church continued to spread in the northern Europe advocating for evangelism from the Rome center. In this area papacy worked and the church managed to establish an empire in the tribal west (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.98). The tension between the east and set churches resulted from cultural, theological and politics.

The difference escalated following the different approaches towards scholarship, theology, and church order (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). Many other elements brought about the separation of east and west Christians. The rift grew wider in 1054 when patriarch Michael Gerularious was excommunicated from church by cardinal Humbert with no concrete reasons. When the cardinal expelled the patriarch there was no pope in the Rome, which raises a lot of questions from both sides of the Christians (Ryan, 2006, p.87). What brought about the division in theology was the statement “and the son”, this word is in parenthesis.

In Latin, the word translates to filioque. This means in Latin a doctrine of double procession. In western belief, it means that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the father and the son (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). The word was inserted in Spain to counteract Arianism (Ryan, 2006, p.87). The word was later on used throughout the west though pope had earlier on rejected. In liturgy, the use of leavened and unleavened bread has also divided the church as a result of pneumalogical concerns; this has lead to rebaptism between different churches (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.15). Tension has been existing between east and west on whether which liturgy jurisdiction should prevail.

The growth of western empire in 800 brought about political tension (Comby and MacCulloch, 1989, p.98). During the 11th century, there was crisis in the west which pushed for reforms in the church that entailed papal claims and centralization of both ecclesiastical and civil matters, this was in conflict with Byzantine understand of the doctrine (Gros, McManus, & Riggs, 1998, p.16).

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