It is so exciting just being in this class because Pastor Don is so excited about it. The first day he told us anyone would love this class..."unless you're hard and cold and...agnostic!" That made us all laugh. I love being in a class full of fellow believers. It really does feel like a family! Only true brothers and sisters can laugh at inside jokes, love as much as we do without judging or fear, and enjoy each other's company for such long periods of time. It is truly an awesome thing to be a child of God!
For class we have to read two Christian History magazines and then write a report on our discoveries. Those who know me well will know that I was SUPER excited for this and truly, I enjoyed every second of my reading and writing the paper. What can I say, I'm a nerd, especially a history nerd! So I though I'd share my "discoveries" with you but I warn you...I learned a lot. I would not be at all offended if you didn't want to read all this but if you are interested in "Heresy in the Early Church" please read on. (I felt this would be a bit much for the "Tidbits" section of the blog, but still wanted to share it with those who would find it interesting).
Heresy in the Early Church
My discoveries
The Council of Nicaea (325)
(From “A Hammer Struck at Heresy” By Robert Payne)
I learned a lot about why and how the council was started from this article as well as what it was about. It was around the year 319 that Arius first suggested that “there was a time when the Son was not”. Both Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius, his chief deacon immediately stepped in to fight the false doctrine. It seems a simple enough heresy, not too dangerous but I never realized that Arianism defines Christ as lower than the Father and places Jesus as only the mediator not God Himself. It drives a wedge into the core Christian belief of monotheism. It's unbelievable how many dominoes topple and new problems arise with the uttering of this one short statement.
Eventually the disagreement got so hot that Emperor Constantine called for the meeting of Bishops known as the Council of Nicaea. I think the resulting chaotic gathering is such a sad depiction of the disunity that existed. (I can imagine it would be much the same today) On one side, Arius chanted his beliefs which he had put to music, making them popular among the people (though to me, it sounds a little spooky).In contrast the orthodox theologians presented their case through calculated arguments. The two contrasting styles gave the impression of men arguing in completely different languages further adding to the chaos.
Thankfully in the end, the orthodox prevailed. Though few realize it, the original Nicene Creed was a lethal weapon aimed at the Arian heresy. Though it lacked poetry and rhythm, it succeeded through blunt doctrine to prove Christ as one, equal to the Father in substance and power. I think that its blunt style is also a great contrast to the Arian habits of flowing, chants.
Charismatics and Montanists: Heresy or the Holy Spirit
(From “Testing the Prophets” By James D. Smith)
I find the similarities between the Montanism of the Early Church and the Pentecostal Charismatics of today fascinating. Montanus movement as called the “New Prophecy. Him and his followers claimed they had Spirit-given truth revealed to them from God.
Though many were taken in by the idea of new oracles from God and the fascinating ecstasy involved in the revelations, many where wary for multiple reasons. Some objected the women raised up in authority, the abnormal ecstasy, the lack of controls, the worldliness, the extra-scriptural revelation and the false prophecies. Yet it was difficult for others to condemn the Montanists because they feared squashing the work of the Spirit.
I recognize some of the same wariness and confusion today in dealing with Charismatics. Many are drawn to them, and others condemn them outright and yet I think the majority of Christians fear to make a clear decision on the matter. It is hard to discern if the movement is truly the Holy Spirit or something else altogether.
Notorious Heretics of the Early Church
(From “Malcontents for Christ” By Stephen M. Miller)
I find the irony in the lives of these men so startling and a little frightening for they went from high standing in the church, respected leaders to excommunication. It is unnerving to think that some of our leaders today could be included in a list for today's church!
Valentinus started out as a papal candidate but ended as a heretic, excommunicated for his gnostic beliefs. He taught that only a select few were given the knowledge (gnosis) for salvation. Using this “knowledge” he reinterpreted the Bible through allegory and symbolism (right there I see red flags all over). The gnostics rejected the physical incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. These beliefs lasted for the first few centuries, always persecuted by the church fathers, until they eventually faded.
Novatian went from being an obvious choice for pope to being excommunicated for his uncompromising stance that Christians who had renounced Christ during the persecution could never be readmitted into the church (I find it difficult to see justice in this decision because it would be such a hard situation to deal with). Novatian died a martyr in 251 but his church survived for about 400 years until it was wiped out by the Muslim invaders.
Paul of Samosata was a wealthy “luxury-loving bishop” who ended up being deposed at a council in 268. He believed the Jesus was not God but simply as one of the Old Testament prophets. As such, Paul forbade worship to Him as He was not worthy. He believe the Trinity existed in the form of Father, Wisdom and Word (I don't understand why he would still believe in a Trinity at all!). Paulianists/Samosatines eventually joined Arianism in the following century.
Pelagius was a British monk who tried to purge the Roman Christians of their love for possessions. He had some flawed doctrine rejecting predestination and original sin. He taught that man was born without sin and had the freewill to choose his own path. Augustine and Jerome fought against his teachings, understanding the risk posed to the doctrine of grace (I am again and again astounded at the ripple effect of heresy). Pelagius was excommunicated in 417.
Heresy in Art
(From “Heresy in the Early Church” By Tony Lane)
I find it fascinating that due to the mysterious and unexplainable mystery of the Trinity, any drawings, paintings or other artwork trying to depict the three-in-one usually end up expressing some sort of heresy!
This depiction does the opposite in that it shows God as three completely different beings effectively destroying the concept of unity and depicting polytheism.
This depiction of God as one body with three faces is a representation of modalism, denying the distinctions between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
How should we live?
(From “Risky Lifestyles” By Robert A. Krupp)
Heresy in the early church did not just deal with theology and doctrine. Just as today, leaders had to deal with the erroneous daily choices of their congregations as well. One such practice involved monks living with nuns (or spiritual-sisters). The monks thought they could avoid sexual temptation due to their vows but as it turns out, many of the “spiritual-sisters” ended up pregnant and perhaps practised abortion in an attempt to salvage their supposed “virginity”. This seems to me like an obvious problem that should not have been allowed to begin at all.
Another practice came about due to the false doctrine that any sins committed after baptism were unforgivable, exacting a costly penance. This caused many Christians to live their lives without being baptized, waiting until just before death to undergo the process. Though it was steadily criticized, it lasted quite awhile, but it's no wonder. How could the preachers expect their members to live without sinning. The doctrine itself makes no sense!
Further controversy arose over the date on which Easter should be celebrated. Throughout the Empire the date was calculated in different ways so that there were different dates, troubling the bishops greatly. Some where even called heretics for the day the celebrated. It wasn't until the early 800s that a complete agreement was reached. I guess I'm not really able to appreciate this issue as I don't think we have the same reverence for Easter today, though we probably should.
Fighters of Heresy
These men really inspire me and I thank God for each one that stood up for the truth. I never realized that without men like these, we would not have Christianity as it is today.
Athanasius wrote a stirring treatise, “On the Incarnation” developing the doctrine of the deity and humanity of Christ. He stated, “ At one and the same time – this is the wonder – as man, he was living a human life; and as Word, he was sustaining the life of the universe; and as Son, he was in constant union with the Father.”
Jerome condemned Pelagius calling him a “corpulent dog weighed down with porridge”.
Constantine called the council of Nicaea in order to end the Arian controversy. Appalled at the discord in the Church he states, “I entreat you... to remove the causes of dissension among you and to establish peace.” The Nicene creed was essential for defining Christian doctrine.
The Council of Chalcedon effectively shut down many heretical claims about Christ: against Arius – Jesus is God, against Apollinarius – Jesus is man, against Eutyches – Jesus' deity and humanity were not changed into something else, and against Nestorians – Jesus was one person (not divided). They offered no explanation for the “how” but simply affirmed that He is unique and a mystery we will never understand.
Conclusion
Though it seems ironic, I learned that heretics have actually provided a great service to the Church in that the heresies demand a response, forcing Christians to work through doctrine and define true Christian beliefs. Due to heretical ideas, we have a defined Canon, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Definition of the Faith, a set of principles for godly living and many other accomplishments that have helped the Church to stay strong, united and to grow.
Whoa! That was a long one, lol. I can tell you really enjoyed this assignment!
ReplyDeleteI totally know what you mean about learning with fellow believers, theres a special energy that comes with it and you feel so safe to be yourself.
once again, love hearing about what your learning bananas!