The Evolution of Western European Christianity

Religion in America

Christianity’s Dilemmas

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

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

The problem of dissent

  Channel dissent

          Reform

          Crusades

          Franciscans, Dominicans

  Suppress dissent

          Inquisition, 1233

Crisis in the Church

  “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