A Summary of the History of Christianity (by Hans Küng)
(with annotations and revisions done by Julius-Kei Kato)
We will refer to sub-divisions of this article by the section numbers within square brackets (e.g. [1]).
Resources:
Original Link to this Summary (in the public domain / accessed 2020-09-20): https://www.global-ethic-now.de/gen-eng/0b_weltethos-und-religionen/0b-01-02-christentum/0b-01-0201-jesus.php
Paradigm Shifts in Christianity (a one-page visual diagram) https://www.global-ethic-now.de/gen-eng/0b_weltethos-und-religionen/0b-pdf/paradigm-shifts-christianity.pdf
[8] Rome: Primacy of Honour in the Early
Church and the Process of Latinization
•
The Jewish roots of Christianity were
forgotten by a church characterized first by Greek then by Latin
culture.
•
In Rome, between 360 and 382, Latin
replaced Greek as the language of the liturgy.
•
The basilica, originally a large hall for
secular affairs, became the model of church architecture.
•
The thanksgiving meal (Eucharist) was gradually
transformed into
a sacrificial offering: the table became an altar.
[9] The
Pope – Successor of St Peter? – “No”, “Yes”, or “It’s Complicated”?
•
No evidence in the New Testament that Peter was
in Rome.
•
No evidence for an immediate “successor” to
Peter, not even in Rome.
•
No mention of a bishop of Rome in the New
Testament or in the earliest Christian sources …
•
not in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans and not in
the Letter of the Romans to the Corinthians.
•
Nevertheless, early evidence for the graves of
the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome.
• Around the middle of the 3rd Century, Bishop Stephen of Rome viewed himself as the successor of Peter and claimed a primacy over all other bishops.
• (this part by jkk) Historically speaking then, it seems that the following idea: <the Pope is the literal successor of Peter who holds full authority
[over all bishops in the Christian world], received in an unbroken chain of
tradition going from the present pope all the way up to Peter himself who, in
turn, received his authority as pope from Jesus himself> has to be re-evaluated
very critically. It is not true in the literal sense. It can be considered
an anachronism because the popes increasingly claimed this only later in
history. The Eastern Orthodox churches (some of which are even older than Rome
itself) have not accepted this. It remains the main block to unity among Roman
Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. However, it is true that the pope as bishop of
Rome has had a unique place of honour (a “primacy of honour” and primus inter
pares “first among equals”) in the history of Christianity from ancient
times. (jkk)
[10]
Mediaeval Theology and an Absolutistic Church Structure
The Western church fathers (Augustine in particular)
developed an extensive Latin theology that shaped the whole
medieval theological tradition.
In the 11th Century under Pope Gregory
VII (“Gregorian Reform”), the papacy took on an absolutistic structure.
The principles of an absolutistic church organization:
Centralization
The Western Church became, with time, the papal universal
church
The Roman Church claimed to be “Mother” and “Teacher” of
all the churches and of all the faithful; the pope became the “Holy Father”
The pope claimed to be the Vicar of Peter and thus also
the Vicar of Christ, indeed even the “Vicar of God” (Innocent IV)
Juridification
Collections of ecclesiastical decrees were codified into
a papal book of laws (“Canon Law” Lat., Corpus or Codex Iuris
Canonici)
Professional “canonists” (ecclesiastical jurists) became
the pillars of the Roman system
The pope emerged as the supreme executive, the supreme
lawgiver, and the supreme judge within the church
Politicization
The Roman Church laid claim to being an autonomous ruling
institution alongside and indeed above the state, with its own international
status (the Papal State), its own diplomatic service, and a long list of privileges
Clericalization
A patriarchal hierarchy and a clergy separated from the
ordinary faithful dominated the laity
As administrators of the “means of grace” the clergy came
to be identified with “the Church”
The prohibition of marriage for the clergy (1139)
accentuated the separation from the laity
Militarization
“Holy Wars” were fought to convert pagans or suppress
heretics, crusades (directed against Christians as well as against Muslims and
Jews)
Discrimination and persecution of Jews, the burning of
heretics and witches
Inquisition and uncompromising pursuit of “deviants”
[11] The Roman Catholic Paradigm
The Roman Catholic Church today can be considered as heir
to the Latin Church of the Middle Ages (Mediaeval Roman Catholic
Paradigm – Paradigm 3):
·
“Catholic” elements were preserved (or
recovered) not only in the Roman Catholic Church, but also in the Old Catholic,
Anglican and even some Protestant Churches.
·
Being Catholic is primarily a matter of sharing
rituals, symbols, theology and spirituality, i.e., a sacramental way of
thinking and acting – hierarchical authority and papacy are not prime
reasons for being a Catholic.
·
Devotion to Mary and the saints and concern for
the souls of the deceased are part of an “ecclesial” solidarity extending
beyond the present life.
·
Impressive artistic traditions in religious
architecture, painting, sculpture, and music.
·
A mentality affirming life including sensual
pleasures.
·
Impressive engagement in education and
charitable work among the sick, the poor and the outcast, especially (though
not exclusively) by members of religious orders.
·
Global diversity in popular piety combined with
the sense of belonging to a single “universal” Church – symbolic role of the
pope often more important than his real authority.
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