The Triumph of Christianity

The “Triumph” of Christianity Theodosius makes Christianity the Roman State Religion in 392 AD “Spiritual oikoumene” = “catholic” I. Religious Options in the Roman World      Christianity Judaism -- “zealots” Roman Pagan Religion Philosophical Religions -- Plotinus and NeoPlatonism Mystery Religions --Mithraism --Cults of Isis and Cybele II. First Century Christianity       Secretive, Urban Religion In Roman eyes, immoral and impure In Roman eyes, illegal and seditious In Roman eyes, atheistic Theologically diverse Jewish sect Active participation by women II. First Century Christianity (cont)     Apparently disorderly and disorganized Persecuted periodically by the Roman government -- Nero (64 AD) --Decius (249-251 AD) --Diocletian (303 AD) The Christian Response And yet, very vital, courageous faith III. How Does this Religion Eventually Triumph?      Similar to the popular mystery religions Traditional Roman religion was brittle and unfulfilling Became more attractive over time to Roman culture and sensibilities Offered the Roman world a cause to promote and pursue Provided Romans with a sense of community IV. Early Christian Doctrinal Diversity    The canon of Scripture was not set until 325 AD at the Council of Nicea Unlike Judaism and the traditional religions of Greece and Rome, Christianity placed belief or creed on the same level with practice Christian “orthodoxy” --Monotheism and the Trinity --The Nature of Jesus IV. Early Christian Doctrinal Diversity (cont)    The teachings of Arius (260336 AD) Gnostic Teaching --physical and spiritual dualism --evil Old Testament god --salvation comes through knowledge (“gnosis”) --rejection of earthly spiritual authority Judaizers V. Early Christian Controversies     Circumcision: Acts 15 Gender of God and gender roles in the church The Resurrection: Physical or Spiritual? Authority Structure/Evolving Organization of the Church --Apostolic Succession --Growing power of the Roman bishop --Leo I (440-461 AD) --Gregory I (590-604 AD) V. Early Christian Controversies (cont)    Impact of Increasing Hierarchy What is the official Scripture? Controversy over the doctrine of the Trinity --Monophysitism V. Early Christian Controversies (cont)  Attitude toward GrecoRoman culture --Opposition to classical heritage (West) --Affirmation of classical heritage (East-Clement of Alexandria) --Notion of “praeperatio” --Significance of Jerome’s Vulgate V. Early Christian Controversies (cont)  The Importance of the Mass --Disloyalty during persecution --The Challenge of the Donatists --Augustinian position adopted at the Council of Carthage (411 AD) --Mass becomes the Church’s weapon VI. Impact of Christian Doctrinal Controversies   Makes Christianity more attractive to the Romans Legalization (313 AD) and “Triumph” (392 AD) of Christianity led to the issue of governmental influence on religion—the problem of the State versus the Church VII. The “Acculturation” of Christianity       Christian ideas and practices reflected imperial political realities Similar beliefs assigned to spirits and demons Assimilating Diocesan organization Pagan temples become Christian churches Assimilation of Roman pagan holidays The Celtic Cross and a pagan silver spoon VIII. Why Did this Acculturation Occur?     Result of mass tribal conversions New converts bring cultural baggage with them Christian missionaries tried to build bridges of belief and practice toward pagan religion to ease the difficulty of conversion General church acceptance of Greco-Roman culture IX. Christianity and Classical Humanism: Alternative Worldviews       Both share an appreciation for individual dignity and liberty Otherworldly purposes vs. worldly pursuit of excellence Linear vs. Cyclical concepts of history Revelation vs. Reason Different views of the nature of God Different approaches to justice and selfrealization X. Augustine of Hippo Synthesizer of Christianity and GrecoRoman Culture A. His Life (354-430 AD)       Christian mother and pagan father Well-versed in Latin classics Early spiritual experimentation: gnosticism and eastern religions Severe guilt over his perceived immorality Conversion experience (387 AD) Influential bishop in the North African seacoast town of Hippo B. His Writings   Confessions—his autobiography The City of God --Motivation for writing the book --World is divided into two cities --Priority of the City of God --Earthly city must be ordered by the Church’s authority and teaching --A divine purpose in the events of history C. His Doctrines      Original Sin --Contradicting Pelagius --Leads to the Doctrine of Limbo Predestination Rejection of Sex as Personal Pleasure --Origen (185-254 AD) Superiority of Sacred to Secular authority “Baptism” of humanistic rationalism XI. The “Triumph” of Christianity Institutionalized A. Legalization     Occurs in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan Prompted by the conversion of Constantine Judicial authority given to Bishops Lord’s Day becomes Holy Day (321 AD) A. Legalization (cont)    Imperial revenue subsidized the Church Church historian Eusebius argues for the inevitability of Imperial approval Constantine and successors gradually increase imperial support for Christianity --Church of the Holy Wisdom --Soldiers, women and the Church --Julian and pagan restoration B. “Triumph”      Removal of the altar to Nike in the Senate (382) Ambrose’s humiliation of Emperor Theodosius Theodosius officially bans public support for pagan cults (391 AD) Becomes the foundation of power and wealth for the medieval church Persecution of Jews and pagans XII. The Pattern of Early Christian Monasticism A. Hermitic     The concept of monasticism Gnostic in flavor— appears first in the East, especially Egypt First known Christian monk was Saint Anthony Monastic motivation in Egypt A. Hermitic (cont)      Less of this type of monasticism in the West Excessive and strange behavior—Pillar Saints Transition Phase Holiness associated with supernatural benefits Monasticism replaces martyrdom after legalization B. Communal—5th and 6th Centuries, AD     Order and uniformity grows in monasticism as it had in the Church as large First successful cenobitic monastery organized by the Egyptian Pachomius This type of monasticism was more adaptable to western Europe Copying sacred and secular texts: Cassiodorus initiated this activity first in Italy (540) B. Communal (cont)       The Benedictine Rule (529) Medieval schools and hospitals Agricultural innovators The importance of silence and prayer The practice of oblation Background of those who joined monasteries B. Communal (cont)     Note Roman traits of flexibility and practicality Great fighters of Heresy Great missionaries --Augustine --Martin of Tours --Patrick Internal opposition to monasticism XIII. Christian Art      Location of early Christian art: The Catacombs “Orans” Christian art was often very metaphorical Controversy over art and sculpture in the Church This controversy ultimately divides the Church East from West: --East: “iconophiles” --West: “iconoclasts”