from author Eric Shuster
SECTION 1: WHO ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—a History
Chapter
3: They were Corrupted and Divided
(1000-1499)
As the Christian Church neared the
millennial landmark it began to be faced with significant issues of leadership
that would rupture its unity. Although Christianity was still spreading
throughout the world, the organization of the Church would be challenged by its
integration with the political structure and an increasingly corrupt
leadership. The Corruption and Division period (1000-1499) is marked by
four major categories of events and activities including doctrinal evolution,
church and state integration, corruption and division.
Although the key doctrines of
Christianity had been defined and codified earlier, peripheral doctrines such
as the seven sacraments and the concept of Papal infallibility were introduced
during this 500 year period.
Organizationally it was common during
this era for Church leaders to be appointed by government leaders. For example,
in 1049 the Emperor Henry III appointed Leo IX as the Pope. Although this
practice eventually ended there was still considerable influence from the
government on Church affairs leading to calls for increased separation of
church and state.
Church corruption was in full bloom
during this period including rampant nepotism. Pope Callixtus III (1455-58)
appointed two of his nephews cardinals, one of which (Rodrigo) later became Pope Alexander VI.
In turn, Alexander promoted his alleged mistress’s brother, Alessandro Farnese,
to cardinal with Farnese later becoming Pope Paul III.
Immorality in Church leadership also reared its ugly head. Pope Alexander VI
(1492-1503) was said to have several mistresses and fathered illegitimate
children while creatively depleting the treasury. Pope Paul II (1464-1471) and
Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484) were both accused of grave immorality during their
papal reigns including homosexuality. These acts of corruption were joined by
widespread indulgences—purchasing with money or acts of services the ability to
forego the consequences of sin (repentance for sale).
Those who opposed the Church during this
period were subject to harsh punishment including torture and death. In 1141
Pierre Abelard, a philosopher, was condemned as a heretic for his views on the
Trinity and an illicit relationship with a French nun. In 1415 at the Council of Constance John Wycliffe was declared a heretic for
his translation of the Bible into English. The Crusades during this period shed
additional light on how Christianity at the time was seen as a spiritual,
political and military power—a lethal combination that distracted the Church
from its main purpose.
Theological and political strife within
the Church eventually led to division during this period. The first was the
Great Schism of 1054 dividing the Church into what would eventually be known as
the Eastern Orthodox Church (Greek) and the Roman Catholic Church (Latin). The
second came in 1378, often referred to as the Great Western Schism, whereby the
Catholic Church experienced a split within itself. These divisions would
continue into the next period of Christianity.
By 1499 there was more than one faction
of the Christian Church in operation. Christianity was plagued with theological
disagreements, continued power struggles, large scale corruption, and political
and societal unrest. It was time for reform.
Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to
watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order
the book.
Where are the
Christians? The Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion
by Eric Shuster
Coming May 2013!
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