1. UNIT TWO
The Church is Mystery

2. 2.2 Permanent and Unchanging

3. Teepee Teaching
God stands in the center of creation and we stand on its edges
Each one of us can see only “one side’ of God
We must relay on others who sit in different places in the circle of creation if we wish to come to know God more completely

4. The Church is a mystery Part of the world and tempted by sin
Apart from the world and shaped by grace
Images of the church attempt to explain how the Church is relevant to the world and at the same time separate from the world

5. Scripture Literally, the “writings”
Refers to those books which have been determined by the Church to be the word of God and to be normative for faith and morals

6. One Church, Many Viewpoints
Church as the “body of Christ” is central and most complete image
Every other image must be understood in light of the primary image of the body of Christ.
Different periods of history have different images to express Church’s mystery.

7. A Choice Vineyard
Lumen Gentium, Vatican II document describes the Church as a “cultivated field.”
When Israel was conquered and occupied, it was difficult to understand what it meant to be a chosen people.
During Jesus’ lifetime, disagreement among Jews in Roman occupied Palestine wondered, What is the proper relationship between the chosen people and the rest of society?

8. Religious Syncretism
Attempt to reconcile or blend the beliefs and practices of various religions into one
Jews found it wholly unacceptable.
Yahweh was one true God
If they accepted the policy it would be the equivalent of denying their God altogether.
Struggle within Judaism between pressures to adopt customs/culture of rest of empire and desire to remain faithful to Yahweh

9. 3 Jewish sects during time of Jesus’ ministry
Sadducees
Pharisees
Essenes

10. Ways Jewish sects understood faithfulness to God
Sadducees
Identity as God’s chosen people dependent upon maintaining cultic purity of Temple
Pharisees
Primary concern was to make Jewish faith relevant even under Roman rule
Essenes
Separated themselves completely from all who did not live as they lived

11. Sadducees
Religiously conservative. Temple focal point of all Jewish life.
Members of Jewish aristocracy. Rejected all religious teaching which was not from the Torah including belief in the resurrection from the dead
Willing to accept many elements of Roman culture. Held positions of power under Roman rule

12. Pharisees Faith based on scripture and on Jewish oral tradition
Believed faith should shape everyday life
Concerned with making Judaism relevant under Roman rule
Made clear to Roman authorities that even though Jewish people not in power, still maintained identity and moral code different from those around them

13. Essenes Strictest of religious groups Lived celibately
Interpreted every law in strictest possible way
Separated themselves from all who did not live as they did
Most opposed to war, some were also Jewish zealots.

14. Zealots
Believed God had chosen Israel to be a great and powerful political entity.
It was God’s will that the Jewish people fight and overthrow the Roman oppressors.

15. Christianity as one more Jewish sect?
Initially no one seems to have though of Christianity as a new or distinct religion.
Christian and no-Christian Jews and gentiles all regarded Christianity as one more Jewish sect.
Earliest Jewish Christians believed faith was fulfillment of Judaism
Kept Jewish Sabbath and added celebration of Resurrection Sunday

16. Gentiles
A term for non-Jews

17. Reasons for split between Judaism and Christianity:
Number of gentile converts to Christianity increased.
Jewish nationalism increased
Non-Christian Jews viewed Christianity as heretical, something that could destroy essence of Judaism.

18. Grafted to the vine of Christ
Image most clearly describes Church’s self-understanding in biblical period
Prophet Isaiah spoke of Israel as the vineyard, would die to no more than a stump.
From that stump, a new shoot would sprout and messianic age would be in
New shoot sprouted in Jesus, the true vine. Church new vineyard.

19. New vineyard unlike the old
Never go wild
God himself, in person of Jesus Christ it root stock and main vine
All shoots (people) of vineyard drew life from Jesus
Gentiles could become members of God’s chosen people without first becoming Jews
Grafted to the vine of Christ

20. The dwelling place of God
Image represented Church well in first three centuries
Christians shunned or persecuted in Roman empire
Why were Christians hated?
What continued to attract new members despite this abhorrence?

21. Christians were despised for many reasons!
2 common beliefs:
Christianity was anti-social
Christianity was barbaric and cannibalistic

22. Anti-social
Christians refused to participate in many social events because they involved worship of Roman gods.
Would not go to the gymnasium or attend theatre.
Refused to attend banquets or eat food purchased in market which first sacrificed to idols

23. Barbaric; cannibalistic
Based on wild rumors!
Christians gathered weekly to celebrate an agape or “love feast” to which only baptized were admitted.
All Christians called all other Christians, even spouses, “brother’ and “sister”.
From these 2 facts spread rumors that Christians met for regular orgies. And that they ate from a loaf of bread with the Christ child concealed inside.

24. Christianity rejected for being “intellectually wanting”.
Some criticism rooted in class prejudice.
Could not be profound it taught by so many without culture or education.
Laughable nature of the Christian God
Why did Christians seem afraid of anything connected with worship of Roman gods? Fear proves fragility of own God.
Where is the logic in accepting martyrdom and leaving this life which was certain to go to another which was uncertain?

25. Laughable nature of the Christian God
How can anyone take the resurrection of the body seriously?
Christ’s death was proof that Christian God was hardly “all-powerful” as claimed.

26. Christian persecutions
Some believed Roman gods were angered as more Roman citizens abandoned their old faith and became Christians.
Many worst persecutions rooted in belief that Christianity was treason.
Christians blamed for all of the misfortunes of empire (floods, epidemics, military invasions).

27. Persecution under Emperor Nero
64-68 A.D.
Christians killed and tortured in wide variety of ways to provide entertainment for populace.

28. Persecution under Emperor Decius
248 AD
Believed Rome’s problems were punishments because people stopped worshipping old gods and they responded by abandoning Rome
Enacted law that required everyone to offer sacrifices to gods of empire
Certificate needed to prove sacrifice was offered

29. Christians and the military.
End of third century, Church leaders began to teach that Christians should not be part of the military.
AD 295, Christians killed for refusing to join or for attempting to leave the army.
Christians considered threat to the army. All Christians expelled from Roman legions. Christians often forced to abandon faith or were executed.

30. Christianity under attack!
AD 303, order issued:
Christians removed from all positions of responsibility
All Christian buildings and books should be destroyed
Christians tortured and killed if refused to hand over copies of scriptures.
Fire broke out in palace.
Christians accused of setting it.
Decree issued ordering arrest of all Church leaders.
2nd decree issued ordering all Christians to offer sacrifice to Roman gods under pain of death

31. The appeal of being Christian
The power of the Holy Spirit working through human beings.
Church offered presence of a loving and caring God.
God’s love given equally to all regardless of social standing.
Cut across social boundaries.
Women and slaves deserving of respect
Women as well as men have rights in marriage

32. The appeal of being Christian
Christians noted for their charity toward those who were in need.
Offered hope, love, and practical assistance in dealing with misfortune.

33. Process of becoming a Christian
Long! Usually extended over a period of several years.
Committed to:
Living a life of generosity and love
Permanently avoiding sin
Being part of a community that was the dwelling place of god.

34. Galerius: Emperor of Rome
Final and worst persecution of Christians occurred under Galerius
Galerius blamed Christians for all of the problems in the empire
AD 311 He contracted painful disease, believed it was punishment from Christian God

35. Edicts issued by Galerius
Christians allowed to practice their faith
Christians required to pray to their God for well being of emperor and empire.

36. Constantine’s campaign to control Roman Empire
Constantine ordered soldiers to place Chi-Rho (first two letters in the name Christ) symbol on their shields
Constantine’s army defeated Maxentius and he became rule of the entire western half of the Empire.

37. Christianity becomes legal!
From AD 313
Positive and negative results

38. Religion and politics intermingle
Constantine intervened in life of Church
Called ecumenical council at Nicaea
Concern for those in need no longer dominated Christian thought
Clerical positions important political positions
Clerical aristocracy developed
Adoption of imperial protocol in liturgies

39. City of God Dominant image of Church at the time Focus on:
Established order and hierarchy
Laws and common codes of belief and behavior central
Church place were society flourished

40. Positive and negative effects of legalized Christianity
Christian leaders, values imbedded in public consciousness
Many people sought membership only for power and prestige
Social stratification develops between rich and poor

41. Apostasy
A total denial of Christ and a disavowal of the Christian faith
Some Christians believed Church was falling into apostasy with Baptism no longer a commitment that might end in martyrdom but a stop on road to luxury.

42. Christians flee to the desert.
Take up the hermit life
Embrace poverty
Viewed Church as dwelling place of God
All must act as Christ acted
Poverty, charity no longer seen as Christian norms; those of a select few lived ideals in name of entire Church

43. Symbol of civilization, protector of order.
From 5th-8th centuries Europe invaded by barbarians
Barbarians wished to participate in benefits of civilization
Tribal leaders adopted Christian faith as a sign and means of civilization
When leader converted, all those under him converted

44. Growing importance of the papacy: Protector of hope and order.
AD 452 Attila the Hun invaded Italy
Pope Leo the Great met with Attilah
Attilah did not invade Rome
Three years later, Vandals invade
Stopped from burning city of Rome by Pope Leo’s negotiations
6th century Lombards invade Rome
Pope Gregory the Great negotiated peace

45. Church as sheepfold
After death of Gregory the Great Church lost effectiveness as moral leader
Emperors of East exert influence over western Church
Popes puppets of state
Church as sheepfold: place one was protected from “wolves” of evil and damnation

46. Roman civilization crumbled
Europe in anarchy
Protection and security priority
Church provided protection and security for danger of this world and uncertainties of the next world

47. Purgatory
Final purification of all who die in God’s grace and friendship but remain imperfectly purified
Final cleansing away of all sin and of all the consequences of sin
Pope Gregory the Great emphasized this Church teaching

48. Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne
AD 800
Charlemagne king of the Franks
Crowned Emperor of the West at Christmas Day Mass

49. Charlemagne used church for own ends.
Thought of Church as branch of his government
Passed laws regarding life of church
Used Church as means of subduing his enemies
Baptism or death!
Appointed bishops as he did generals

50. Charlemagne’s mandates.
Sunday is day of rest and worship
Preaching done in language of people
Tithing mandatory (tithes as a tax)
Mandated monastic reform (must comply with Rule of Benedict)
Reformed Church schools

51. Middle Ages: A time of fear.
Bubonic plague struck in 14th century
Church offered comfort, peace and security to those who were afraid
Church helped people find way to trust, rely on and respond to God even in face of chaos.

52. A cultivated field
The good and the bad inextricably mixed within the Church
Those within Church must listen carefully to hear the voice of God in the midst of all the confusion
Faith assures us that God’s voice will always be present within the Church
Church of middle ages fits this image

53. Feudalism
The governing system which prevailed in Europe in the Middle Ages in which a superior or lord granted land to a vassal in return for the services (primarily military) of that vassal.
The vassal did not own the land but he did receive its income as long as he remained faithful to the lord he served.

54. Feudalism
Under this system all land was owned by a few powerful people
The vast majority of the population worked the land in return for food, shelter and protection.
Strict division among social classes, nobility, clergy, and serfs who farmed the land.

55. Papacy: A Prize to be fought over.
Popes accused of various corruptions
Church offices, Church property used to further ends of rich and powerful
AD 897 Pope Stephen VI presided over “cadaveric council”.
Dead pope tried and found guilty of crimes
Body mutilated, thrown into Tiber River

56. Cluny Monastery Founded in AD 909 Led by Berno, monk
Center of large monastic reform movement
Reformed and reordered hundreds of monastic communities

57. Desire for Church Reform
Primary goal: Free the Church from its obligations to kings and nobles
End simony (buying and selling Church positions)
Second goal: Enforce clerical celibacy so Church positions could not be hereditary, Church property could not be dissipated by heirs
Obedience within the Church (all faithful should be obedient to the Pope)

58. Weakness of Cluniac Reforms
Attitude toward wealth
Insisted on right of monastery and the Church to accumulate wealth for glory of God and to aid in service to the poor
Meant that abbots and bishops were powerful feudal lords
Simony and Church involvement in politics unavoidable

59. Cistercian Movement
Led by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

60. Papal Reform AD 1048 Bruno of Toul offered papacy by emperor
Accept only if people and clergy elected him
Traveled to Rome, barefoot
Acclaimed by clergy and the people
Took name Leo IX
Reforms
Clerical celibacy
End to simony

61. War and division
Attitude that time was coming when non-Christians and Christian heretics from Christians in good standing
Pope Urban II announced first crusade in AD 1095
Goal crusade: “Win heaven” by taking back Holy Land from the Moslems and by saving the Eastern Church from Moslem threat

62. The Crusaders
Saw themselves as the army of God, army of the apocalypse
Job was to begin final separation of wheat and weeds
Unmerited killing of Jews and Moslems
A crusade against heresy followed
1209 Southern France invaded northern France slaughtered Christian sect

63. Fourth Lateran Council
AD 1215
Established the Inquisition
Every bishop was responsible for looking into any potential heresy within his diocese and destroying it

64. 2 dangers in viewing Church as cultivated field (sin, grace intermingled)
We will become indifferent to the presence of sin and may do nothing to challenge it
We may begin to think of ourselves as harvesters whose job it is to identify and destroy both sin and sinners

65. Protestant Reformation
An effort to reform the Catholic church in the 16th century which led to the separation of large numbers of Christians from communion with Rome and with each other

66. Council of Trent
16th century ecumenical council held in response to the challenges of the Protestant reformation
Clearly outlined Catholic doctrine on such matters as authority, sin and justification, and the role of Mary and the saints
Convened by Pope Paul II in AD 1545

67. Our Mother
Church as Mother, offering care and protection to her flock

68. Issues raised by the protesters:
The role of the Bible in determining orthodox theology
The cause and nature of sin and justification or redemption
The number and nature of the sacraments
How liturgy is celebrated
The theology of the Eucharist
The authority of the hierarchy

69. Issues raised by the protesters:
The proper relationship between the Church and the state
The role of Mary and the other saints
The existence of free will

70. Impact of the Council of Trent.
Linked orthodoxy with uniformity
Required Catholics everywhere to do and say the same things with respect to faith
Belief that both ordained ministry and the hierarchical structure of the Church had been established by God and were absolutely necessary

71. Impact of the Council of Trent.
Rejected Martin Luther’s belief that only scripture is necessary.
Scripture and Tradition must both be considered for a proper understanding of theology
Scripture cannot be separated from Tradition, because scripture was part of the Tradition of the Church before it was scripture
Church decided what would be considered scripture

72. Tradition of the Church
Refers to the faith which was handed by Christ to his apostles and by those apostles to their successors
Word of God must be interpreted by the Church, and more explicitly by the bishops of the Church in order that it might be properly understood and applied in each generation

73. Vulgate Latin translation of the Bible
Authoritative version of the Bible
The translation used by the Church for 1,000 years, part of the Tradition

74. More teachings of Council of Trent
Importance of the hierarchy in the administration of the sacraments
There are 7 sacraments
Difference between power of ordination and specific role as leader of a Church
Ordination confers special powers on man ordained
Distinction between “priesthood of all believers” and the ordained priesthood

75. Ordination changes person’s character.
Priest able to stand in the person of Christ and celebrate Eucharis
Power to speak words which change bread and wine into body and blood of Christ
Power to offer one, true sacrifice of Jesus
Power to stand in the person f Christ, speak words of forgiveness and healing

76. Council of Trent outlined way Catholics must live, faith they must profess.
Marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics declared invalid
List of forbidden books established
Guidelines for education and training of clergy established to take place in seminaries.

77. Church as Mother Main image emerged from Council of Trent
Leaders of Church feed, educate and protect people
Feed them bread of life
Teach them truth about God, human nature and salvation
Rescue them when fall into sin
Offer protection from hell and damnation

78. One Body, Many Parts.
Pope John XXIII, 1959, called ecumenical council, Vatican II
Church needed “updated” so it could respond more effectively to the modern world

79. Changes affected by Vatican II
Importance of full participation of both clergy and laity in liturgy. Liturgy to be said in language of the people, not Latin
Image of Church as People of God, lay religious and clergy, all members of Church, bear responsibility for mission
Restoration of Christian unity. Church does not reject truth and holiness found in other religions

80. In Conclusion Church is a mystery
Nature never be grasped
Essence never be captured
Images used to convey something of truth of Church
Choice Vineyard Dwelling place of God
City of God Sheepfold
Cultivated field Our Mother
Body of Christ

81. In Conclusion
Choice Vineyard: Grown from rootstock of Christ. Church has no life or purpose apart from Christ
Dwelling place of God: To be a member of Church is to accept responsibility for making God’s presence visible
City of God: Laws of God made known. City in which people love and serve God in diverse ways.

82. In Conclusion
Sheepfold: Offers shelter from evil that threatens us. Christ is the gate
Cultivated field: Both good and bad found in Church. Seeds of kingdom in the Church, weeds of sin. Church perfected at time of harvest
Our Mother: Watches over us, protects us from harmful influences, teaches us things we need to know.
Body of Christ: Each of us has responsibility for Church.