Church History - Events, Councils, and Creeds Flashcards
1
Q
Apostles Creed
A
- Oldest creed, built on apostles teaching called “the rule of faith”
- Stemming from Old Roman Creed (circa 140AD) – version we have today was finished in 400s
2
Q
Council of Nicaea
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- 325 The council of Nicaea, called by Constantine, was concerned primarily with the nature of the second person of the trinity—Jesus Christ. Arius asserted that Christ was not eternally generated from the Father but created from the non-existent (there was a time when he was not!). The argument began with Bishop Alexander, but his pupil, Athanasius, would win the day asserting that Christ was eternally begotten of the father. The semi-Arians argued that Christ was homoiousios (“of similar substance”) with the father. The Council adopted the Athanasian position of homoousios (“the same substance”).
- Nicene Creed that we have today came from Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381). Constantinople added the clarification about the HS
3
Q
Ephesus
A
- 431 Cyril vs Nestorius
- Nestorius (two persons and two natures) denied
4
Q
Council of Chalcedon
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- 451 The Christological council. Christ is one person, with two natures. The Council of Chalcedon further dealt with Nestorianism and also addressed Eutychianism. The Eutychians taught that Christ possessed “two natures before the union but one nature after the union” (meaning incarnation). The Council asserted that the redemption of fallen humans required a mediator who was human and divine, passible and impassible, mortal and immortal, and that Jesus Christ permanently assumed human nature.
- The Council asserted that properties of both Christ’s human and divine natures can be attributed to one person (communicatio idiomatum cf. theotokos language)
- There are two natures with no “confusion, change, division, or separation”
5
Q
Athanasian Creed
A
- Late 400 – early 500. Not actually written by Athanasius at all. Probably came about after his death. Builds on earlier creeds while using St. Augustine to present a clear statement on the Trinity and Incarnation
- Includes the HS proceeding from the Father and the Son (debated by Eastern church)
- This (and the other creeds) are the basis of the faith – outside of which there is no salvation
6
Q
Reformation
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- 1517 We may use this as a date for the Reformation since the beginning of the Reformation is traditionally tied to Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-five theses to the door at Wittenburg. This was the culmination of a developing movement to reform the Catholic Church from medieval laxity. Above all it was a time of spiritual renewal in which God graciously intervened to return his gospel to the center stage of human history.
7
Q
Counter-Reformation
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- 1534-1563. The Counter-reformation was the Catholic response to the Reformation in which many of the abuses of the Catholic church were corrected and traditional Catholic doctrine was resoundingly re-affirmed. This was formulated in the articles of the Council of Trent, a council which was held to combat the spread of Protestantism. Affirmed that Church/tradition were on par with Scripture, sacraments and transubstantiation, and justification is faith plus works.
8
Q
Council of Trent
A
- 1545-1563. Genuine attempt to reform and recover the Cath. Church
- Reformed clery/institutional power by limiting power, calling for good morals
- Scripture and tradition were to be given equal weight
- Justification as infused righteousness (gradual process of good works that in some sense merit eternal life cf. purgatory)
9
Q
Heidelberg Catechism
A
- 1563 Written by primarily by Ursinus (some say Olevianus as well). Follows a Guilt to Grace to Gratitude framework, and includes teaching on Apostles Creed, Lord’s Prayer, 10 commandments. Held by the Continental Reformed Church (European-German, Dutch). Many say the Heidelberg Catechism has a more personal feel than the Westminster Confession.
10
Q
Belgic Confession
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- 1561 Written by Guido de Bres, part of the three standards of the Dutch Reformed Church. It draws heavily on the Gallican Confession; made up of 37 articles on God, Scripture, man etc.
11
Q
Synod Dordt
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- 1618 A convening of Reformed thinkers to answer the assertions of the Remonstrants. Although political and other issues affecting the Dutch church were raised at this Synod, its primary business was answering the five points of Arminianism. Their response is what we today know as TULIP, or the five points of Calvinism.
12
Q
Westminster Assembly
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- 1643-1652 - The Westminster Assembly was a gathering assembled by the British Parliament in 1643 with the charge of producing a Confession of Faith to unite the United Kingdom ecclesiastically. The assembly sat from 1643-1652, during which time it handled ecclesiastical concerns such as the ordination of ministers, trial of heretics, etc. its most enduring work is the Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These would become the standard of faith and practice for the Presbyterian, Congregational and Regular Baptist churches in Scotland, England and America (English speaking areas). The Confession and Catechisms were borne out of Scotch and English Calvinism.
13
Q
Pietism
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- 1600’s Primarily based in Germany, it was a movement against dead orthodoxy in the Lutheran Church. The common emphasis was on individual conversion and living orthodoxy that led to a changed life. The duo of Spener and Franke at the Halle began the movement which was later carried by Zinzendorf and the Moravians. The movement played a large influence in the development of evangelicalism and the modern missionary movement.
Emphases:
* Individual experience and theology
* New birth
* Spiritual discipline
* Lay involvement in the church
* Renewal of preaching
* Love for all people
14
Q
Great Awakening
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-
First Great Awakening: 1741-1745. The Great Awakening was a remarkable outpouring of
the Holy Spirit that swept through New England colonies. Through the Reformed preaching of George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards, thousands were truly converted to Christ. There were however, many instances of abuse that accompanied the outpouring prompting the able mind of Edwards to defend the true nature of the Awakening in such works as ‘‘Distinguishing Marks” and “Treatise on the Religious Affections.” Controversy resulted because of the “excesses” of enthusiasm and inflammatory remarks (on both sides). See esp. Tennet: “Danger of an unconverted ministry.” - Second Great Awakening 1800-1825. After the First Great Awakening steady religious decline brought the country to a new religious low by the 1800’s. Unlike the First Great Awakening this revival went into the frontier as well. It was also characterized by a longer duration and more fervor than concern for theology. Finny’s pragmatism dominated the movement noticeable in its emphasis on the emotions. This awakening led to significant church growth, improvement of morals and national life, checking of the growth of Deism, growth of missions, and social reform movements. It left a permanent mark on the American evangelical scene with its revivalist emphasis and Arminian theology.
15
Q
Old Side/New Side
A
- This was the controversy over the First Great Awakening. The New Side was pro-revival and staunchly Calvinistic. Included in the New Side ranks were Edwards, Tennet, and Whitefield. The Old Side were Anti-Revival. Some were Arminian, Unitarian or Universalist representing the creeping enlightenment rationalism of the day. The most famous Old Side adherent was Charles Chauncy.
