Chapter 2: They were
Legitimized and Codified (AD 300-999)
The Legitimacy and codification period,
from AD 300 to 999 was a time for Christianity to continue its global
proliferation, while codifying its doctrines and legitimizing its place in
religion and politics. Of all of the four historical periods in Christendom
this may have been the most important—it was a “make or break” era for
Christianity.
This period of Christianity was defined
by seven major categories of events: the continuation of persecution and evangelization,
increased heresies, doctrinal codification, hierarchy and politics, validation,
and the seeds of corruption. The dynamics of these events firmly established
Christianity into the mainstream of society and gave it both the spiritual and
political influence it needed to spread the gospel.
Evangelization during this period was
accomplished primarily in two ways: word of mouth (preaching and
proclamation) and the establishment of physical structures for the purposes of
Christian worship and teaching. Between AD 330 and 360 monasteries were built
in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Persia, and Greece—Christianity was becoming a
global religion.
If battling external forces wasn’t
enough, internal fighting among Christians in the form of perceived heretical
movements became fierce. Arianism, Dontanism, Apollinarianism, and other
heresies rose during this period splintering Christianity and threatening
ecclesiastical authority. Heresy didn’t always mean incorrect doctrine it meant
that which was contrary to the central Christian Church at the time.
During the early days of this period an
unlikely ally to Christianity emerged in the Emperor Constantine who convoked
the Council of Nicaea in 325 in hopes of gaining theological consensus while
consolidating his political influence. From this council emerged the Nicene
Creed, the foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity. Further doctrinal
codification of the Church came in the form of establishing written scripture.
At the Synod at Carthage in AD 397 the 27 books of the New Testament were
ratified and by AD 400 both the Old and New Testaments came together in the
form of the Vulgate. The journey of the Bible however did not end there.
The growth of the Christian Church
required the double-edged sword of hierarchical and structural creation to
manage its many affairs. Political legitimacy of the Church was critical during
this period and by the end of the forth century Christianity became the
official religion of the Roman Empire. With political legitimacy came the
unintended consequences of Church and State integration which meant the state
influenced the Church and vice versa—a dynamic that would impact the Church and
sow the seeds of corruption it would battle for centuries.
Christianity by AD 999 was thriving
spiritually and politically. No longer having to worry about external forces
trying to eliminate its existence, Christianity could now focus on codifying
its doctrines, establishing its canon, and building an enduring organization
capable of taking the gospel to the four corners of the earth. Despite its
stunning progress the seeds of corruption sown during this period would
challenge the Christian Church in the centuries that followed leading to a
series of unexpected events.
Go
to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what
type of Christian you are, and to order the book.
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