Central Park Bible Community A community of young adults at Irving Bible Church

A History of the Church (Week 5)

It's been a while since we had anyone share their story with us, but this week Betsy graced us with hers. If you missed it you're just going to have to ask her yourself next time you see her.

George continued our series on the history of the church picking up where Brent had left off by talking about establishing Christian doctrine.

Early Christians struggled with leadership and doctrinal authority in the church. One example is Clement's letters to the Corinthian church after they had overthrew their leadership. What gave Clement the authority to admonish and correct the church? Tradition has it that the apostles passed their spiritual authority down to spiritual successors to guide the church. The name these church leaders were given was "Elder" or "Bishop".

During this time scripture was being established, particularly the gospels. There was some confusion as to the nature of God. Gnosticism and Marcionism established a dualistic view of God. Arianism said that the Son was created by the Father. The elders of the church combated these heresies and established important Christian doctrine at the Council of Nicea and other church meetings.

Here are some of the primary doctrinal points established by the early church:

• Scripture is inspired.
• The God of the Old Testament is also the God of the New Testament.
• Tradition is important. (apostolic teaching)
• Jesus is the same "stuff" as God.
• The son is "co-equal" with God.
• Only God initiates salvation.
• The Holy Spirit is also God. (added shortly after original Council of Nicea)

Two systems of thought began to develop in the church, one in the east and the other in the west. In 1050 they would later become the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.

We will learn more about early theology, church leadership, and the councils that helped to determine doctrine this coming week.

Announcements

• May 1st - Go And Be! - Day of service. Details here.
• May 5th - Cinco De Mayo Celebration - 6:30 pm at Los Cabos in Addison.
• May 15th - Single Parent Carnival - with Central Park Afterparty! Sign up at irvingbible.org.

A History of the Church (Week 4)

Brent continued to teach us about Constantine, the ruler who legitimized Christianity in the Roman empire.

Constantine, after taking control of the western empire, formed a bond with Licinius who controlled the east, but it wasn't long before he set his sights on the entire empire. And when a relative of Licinius got involved in a plot to assassinate Constantine, Constantine saw his opportunity to increase power and took Byzantine, encroaching on Licinius's territory. The two rulers forged another short-lived pact until 322AD when Constantine again attacked Licinius. Licinius surrendered in 324 AD and ruled the entire empire until his death in 337 AD.

Constantine moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium and changed its name to Constantinople. He attempted to restore the greatness of Rome under the banner of Christianity.

So what was Constantine's experience with Christianity? We discussed a couple of possibilities. The first is that he was a true believer, used by God to establish the church. The opposing view is that he was a political opportunistic using religion to his own ends.

As a class we had a discussion on what marks a true Christian conversion. We discussed confession, baptism, growth and discipleship.

With these in mind, was Constantine a true Christian? The church at the time was divided, and some of the church leaders didn't know how to deal with him. He did not have the typical Christian conversion experience and was not baptized until just before his death. Then again he had little political reason to try to gain the favor of Christians. They certainly didn't have any political power.

Constantine did believe God was on his side, but he was still a very shrewd politician. He knew he couldn't throw out the pagan religions suddenly without revolt so he worked at it slowly. He was at odds with the senate. (Who ironically declared him a god after his death. )

Constantine did do many thing for the church.

• Halted the persecution of Christians.
• Made Christianity the official religion of the empire.
• Abolished slavery, concubines, and gladiator fighting as a result of Christian values.
• He had a huge impact on church worship. Meeting on the first day of the week. Use of incense. Separation of the clergy and laity. Rituals. Signs of respect like kneeling and crossing. Building of church buildings. Introduction of choirs. Systematizing theology. Constantine was responsible for council of Nicea. Generally unifying of the church.

He had some negative impact on the church as well. Many Christians despised Constantine for the direction he took the church, making it the official religion, taking it in a secular direction. In response, some Christians withdrew from society, creating monastic movements. Some broke from the official state church. Others focused on doctrine creating councils and systematizing the faith.

The question of whether Constantine's impact on Christianity was positive or negative is an interesting one. Did he strengthen or weaken Christianity as a whole. He certainly helped it expand which many would see as good. Others might argue that he weakened the message of Christ. What do you think? Feel free to discuss below. Please keep it civil.

Announcements

• May 1st Day of Service - More details to come in an e-mail. This is a day out serving for all young adult ministries.
• May 15th Single Parent Carnival - Sign up at online irvingbible.org.

A History of the Church (Week 3)

Brent continued our series on a history of the early Christian church.

Towards the 3rd century the Church enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence despite the anti-Christian laws. In 284 AD Diocletian became the ruler of Rome. He was a brilliant leader and administrator who divided rule of his empire into eastern and western regions with heads who reported to him.  Galerius, Maximian, and Constantius Chlorus helped Diocletian rule. Diocletian was open to Christianity; his wife and daughter were Christians.

Galerius who was pursuing extending the empire in the north began having problems with Christians in the military. Many soldiers had a crisis of conscience when they converted. Galerius was not content with kicking Christians out of the military. He demanded that Diocletian create an edict where soldiers who wouldn't recant their Christian faith be killed. This was extended to all Christians in the government. Then they began to burn Christian buildings. Diocletian rather impartially went along with Galerius's ideas until the imperial palace caught on fire. Galerius convinced Diocletian that the Christians were to blame and helped him produce a law where all Christians had to sacrifice to the Roman gods or be killed. This edict extended through most of the empire.

In 304 AD Diocletian became ill and retired, leaving Galerius in charge. Galerius forced Maximian out of office by threatening military force. Galerius replaced Maximian with a weak ruler who did whatever Galerius said. However, the sons of Maximian and Constantius Chlorus, were well respected military leaders who enjoyed much influence over the army and the people in the west.

In 311 AD Galerius becomes ill, and someone told him it was a result of his persecution of the Christians. In response Galerius issued the Edict of Toleration marking the official end of the persecution Christians in the Roman empire. Galerius died three days later.

Constantine (son of Constantius Chlorus) saw his opportunity to take over, and went to battle against his former ally Maxentius (son of Maximian) . Before going to battle Constantine received a vision of the labarum (a symbol of Christ) and made it his army's banner. Under that symbol he won the battle and took over the Western portion of the Roman empire. Christians see this as Constantine's conversion to Christianity. He issues the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, reinforcing the end of persecution and adding the return of confiscated properties.

Brent finished up by discussing the various classifications of Christians who had gone through the persecution of the church.

Martyrs - People who didn't deny Christ in the face of persecution and were killed for their beliefs.

Confessors - People who didn't deny Christ in the face of persecution and somehow managed to live through it all.

The Lapsed - These people fled persecution or recanted temporarily before returning to the church.

Apostates - These people denied Christ in the face of persecution.

In the 4th century church martyrs and confessors enjoyed the highest respect among their peers. Confessors often became church leaders. And so a natural church hierarchy beganto emerge.

Next week we'll learn more about Constantine's beliefs and his impact on Christianity in the Roman empire.

Announcements

• May 1st Church Service Project - A sign up sheet is going around in class. More details to come!
• We continue to raise money for our car project.
• "What's your story?" also continues.