The Evolution of Western
European Christianity
Religion in America
Christianity’s Dilemmas
What is
Christianity?
Defining orthodoxy and heresy
What to do with
dissent?
Pluralism or persecution?
What is
Christianity’s relation to the state?
State religion or independent?
Origins: Roman Judaism
Sadducees
Pharisees
Essenes
Zealots
Revolts of 66-70 and
132-135
Destruction of the Temple and exile
Rise of Rabbinical Judaism
Origins: Christianity
James: Christianity
as Jewish sect
St. Paul: Jewish
sect to world religion
Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I
have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to
fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one
letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is
accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments,
and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.
Roman Catholicism
Emperor Constantine,
313
Creation of imperial church
Hierarchy & orthodoxy
St. Augustine (354-430)
Philosophy
& theology
Medieval growth of
papal power
Gregory VII, 1073: papal goal of Christian
society
Innocent III, 1198: pope above kings
Boniface VIII, 1294: outside church, no
salvation
Religious orders as
standard of piety
Celibacy, confession
Crisis in the Church
The problem of
dissent
Channel dissent
Reform
Crusades
Franciscans, Dominicans
Suppress dissent
Inquisition, 1233
“Babylonian
captivity” 1309-1377
Popes in Avignon, France
The Great Schism,
1378-1417
Three popes
The Renaissance
Power, wealth, glory
Popular yearning for
spiritual renewal
Humanism: recovery
of sources
Criticism of wealth, power, corruption of church