History of Christendom notes

In 680 AD, there was another council who dealt with the issue of Monothelites at Constantinople. They believed that Christ had two natures and two wills. In order to suppress them, he had to submit to God's will to do what God willed him to do. Because of this, it would mean that the two wills are not the same, also that Christ and God were not the same. Christ had one will within the two natures ultimately if he followed God's will.

In 787 AD, there was the whole issue of the iconoclast issue at Nicaea. Can any artist portray the image of Christ? Or is it a violation of the 2nd commandment? What was the right way of the nature of worship? They decided that they could not pray to any image, but could portray it without a problem. Christ could be seen in human form, as shown by the incarnation, so it was no great sin to form an image, even a material image, of Christ. Substancia Interia - real and tangible. Then came the whole debate of whether it was sin to materialize Christ.

Because of this last council, there was much burning of art and smashing of statues as a "reforming" movement of the culture. There is not a great deal of art in churches now-a-days because of that.

Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nysaa were brothers and came from a family of great patriarchs, saints, and emperors. Basil was actually the person to come up with the idea of hospitals. These two brothers along with Gregory of Nazianzuz were named the Cappadocian fathers.

Cyril kept peace and purity within the church during the 3rd council.

Jerome translated the Scriptures into Latin, and many of his theological writings influenced the 2nd council.

Ambrose helped convert Augustine and greatly influenced the 2nd, 3rd, and 4rth councils.

John Chrysostom of Antioch was greatly known for his influential speaking.


Lesson 5: Barbarian Migrations - Decentralizing the Empire.

In order to gain complete knowledge of why things happen, you must read outside your era.

The migratory Germanic tribes came from the steppes into Germany, Belgium, France and to Rome. The Empire of Rome realized the threat of decentralization to Rome from these invasions.

In 122, Hadrian built a wall to ward off the barbarians. He set guards to keep them away. By doing this, however, he erased the borders by letting other races and cultures in.

In 286, Diocletian launched persecutions against the Christians, to what may have been considered the fiercest yet.

In 313, the Edict of Milan was put through to allow the Christians to be tolerated.

In 306, Constantine was put in line for the throne. While in battle, he became a Christian, although some would debate whether he was a true Christian based upon his actions.