Lesson 9 Flashcards
Discuss the development, doctrines, and traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy
The Eastern Orthodox Church claims it’s doctrines originated with the NT church, the Apostles, and the creeds.
They reject the change of the Nicene Crede to include the Filioque (and the Son) when referencing to the origination of the Holy Spirit.
They reject the Western Pope as head of the church favoring more conflating the church and the state (Emperor).
There was also a significant division between the Iconoclast (those opposed to Icons) and those who favored the use of Icons within the church.
Monasticism became a major influence in the East. The majority of monks were laypersons. The focus was on piety and prayer or moral living rather than biblical scholarship.
Compare and contrast Eastern and Western Christianity practices and doctrine
By the end of the 12th century, the differences between the Eastern and Western Christianity become so dominant that they thought of each other as having abandoned true Christianity.
Constantine created “New Rome” also known as Constantinople and was the focal point of Eastern Church traditions and doctrines.
Differences included:
1. Worship ritual
2. the use of different types of communion bread
3. different versions of the Nicene Creed (i.e. the use of filioque). The East rejected Filioque and the West used Filioque in the Nicene Creed.
4. Different position on the use of icons in the church
5. The Eastern Churches allowed clergy to marry but required monks to remain celibate.
6. The final breaking point was when the western Pope tried to take control of the Eastern Christian Church and the East rejected the Popes advances.
Growing disagreement over the filioque clause in the Nicene Creed (see
pp. 60–1) was of no small importance to this increasingly sour atmosphere. Other factors
also contributed, including the political rivalry between Latin-speaking Rome and Greek speaking Constantinople, and the increasing claims to authority of the Roman pope. The
final break between the Catholic west and Orthodox east is usually dated to 1054, although
this date is somewhat arbitrary.
Explain the Crusades and their impact on Christianity and culture.
The crusades were a response to centuries of Jehad by Muslims against the Christian church.
It united the Eastern and Western Churches together against Islam.
As the East and West churches came united against Islam, they were further divided theologically.
In 1054, the Western Pope wanted to assume control over the East which lead to The Great Schism.
Who was Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and what significant contributions did he make to the church?
6th century Syrian, who “borrowed” the name from one of Paul’s converts. He viewed the universe as a hierarchy, with heavenly patterns reflected in the church. The “triads” of angel choirs which mediate between God and humanity correspond to the “triads” of the sacraments, the orders of clergy, and of classes of inferior Christians.
Three stages of spiritual life, purification, illumination, and union - lead to the goal of becoming like God.
This enormously influenced Byzantine theology of mysticism and liturgy, and western mystics, scholastics, and Renaissance Platonists thinkers.
Describe the distinctives of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
- The Eastern Churches held the emperor as “The living image of Christ” and stood as the head of the church.
- Monasticism was dominant in the Eastern tradition.
- There was focus on piety, prayer, and moral behavior than on their scholarship and knowledge of scripture.
- Language
Cyril and Methodius missionaries to Slavs
860
Christianity comes to Russia
988
Schism of East and West
1054
First Crusade
1099
