Church Tradition, Challenge and Change Flashcards
Pentecost and 1st Century Church
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and disciples following Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The Holy Spirit gave them power through tongues of fire which allowed them to speak all languages and promote the message of God. The 1st Century Church aka Apostolic Age is when Christianity spread by Apostles particularly through Paul’s ministry (many went into hiding after Jesus’ death), there is significant persecutions of Christians by the Roman Empire and baptism becomes essential to joining the faith
Council of Jerusalem 49-50 CE
Aka the Apostolic Council, written about in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15. It was a common name for meetings of early Christian leaders. The council made many decisions and changes to the faith e.g. Christians need not abide by Mosaic Law in both adherence to practice of Brit Milah (Circumsism) and Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut)
Council of Nicea 325 CE
A council of Christian bishops which convened in the city of Nicea by Roman Emperor Constantine I. It was an ecumenical council which addressed all believers from different branches of faith. It was the first effort to obtain consensus in the Church
Constantine and impact on conversion
Constantine was a Roman Emperor from 306 to 337 AD. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and made it the main religion of Rome. His conversion stopped the persecutions of Christians and in the Edict of Milan decreed the tolerance of Christianity in the empire
Characteristics of Medieval Church
During medieval times, the Church provided education for some and gave out alms e.g. food and money to the poor and needy. The Church had 5 heads including the Pope and issue of authority emerged especially after the Pope changed the language in the Nicene Creed and groups begin excommunicating from each other, part of the reason there is Orthodox Traditions
The Great Schism 1054CE
Seperation of Catholic Church of West from the Orthodox Churches of the East. It was caused by disagreements between the Western and Eastern Church on several issues including Papal authority and the Filioque clause of the Nicene Creed
Reformation in England and Germany
The English protestant reformation differed in many crucial ways from the German reformation. In Germany, Luther’s protestantism was driven by his own religious convictions. While in England, politics was the centre, along with religious ideas to a lesser extent. The English Reformation was led by King Henry VIII when he wanted to anul his marriage and marry another woman in the hopes of receiving a male heir. The Church does not recognise his new marriage therefore Henry leads the reformation of the Church of England. While Martin Luther believed the Church of Germany were embracing immoral practices e.g. sale of indulgences to obtain forgiveness. And believed that individuals could be saved only by personal faith in Jesus Christ and grace of God.
Counter Reformation - Council of Trent
An ecumenical council between 1545 and 1563 in northern Italy. It served to define Catholic doctrine and made sweeping decrees on self reform, helping to revitalise the Roman Catholic Church in the face of Protestant expansion. It primarily established the vision and goals of the Catholic Counter Reformation
Vatican I
Also known as the First Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, ran from 1869 to 1960. The main role was to define the Catholic doctrine concerning the Church of Christ
Vatican II
Ecumenical council ran from 1962 to 1965 and was founded by Pope John XIII. At Vatican II, the church adopted a spirit of respect and dialogue towards other faith traditions and produced a series of documents to direct the life of the Church in the 20th Century and beyond, Nostra Aetate
Mary Mackillop
First Australian saint, known for first opening a school in South Australia with the vision to provide education to underprivileged children. She, along with a priest, Julian, founded Australia’s first religious order, the sisters of Saint Joseph
World Youth Day
The idea of the day (Pope John Paul II) as a response to the desire to engage and connect with young people in a more meaningful way, inspired by the teaching of the Vatican II. World Youth Day is an event for young people organised by the Catholic Church and held every 3 years across the world.
Ecumenisim
The principle or aim of promoting unity among the world’s Christian Churches.
Ecumenism bible quotes
“May they also be in us” (John 17:20-23)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Ecumenism significance for Christianity
Over the course of History, many new denominations and branches of Christianity have been formed which can often lead to issues of authority as seen during the Medieval Church and can pull the Church apart. Ecumenism helps bring unity for all these denominations and strengthens the Church in doing so.
