Church History Chapter 2: The Church Enters the Empire… and it strikes back.

Name:

  1. Give me the most famous family feud you can think of… does anyone in the class personally have one of these? (You’re teenagers, have parents, surely you feud…)
  1. So, two groups: Hellenistic Jews and Israeli Jews. How were they “different”? Why were the deacons appointed to their stations?
  1. Who was the first Christian martyr? How did he die? When is his feast day? Is this practice still in use today?
  1. Originally, what was the Roman response to Christianity? Were Jewish people forced to convert to Roman religious views?
  1. Give me a little of the background about Saints Perpetua and Felicity… This chapter seems so sad right now.
  1. Explain the role of the following emperors and governors in relation to Christian persecutions:
  2. Emperor Nero: (we didn’t start the fire…)
  1. Domitian:
  1. Decius:
  1. Pliny:
  1. So Deacon Laurence… wise guy? Class poll, let’s find out who would still consider being a Christian with this going on in Rome.
  1. What did Diocletion do to the empire? (Is this where we get the word diocese today) What happened in 303 AD?
  1. What was Constantine’s vision? Did it come true?
  1. What was the importance of the Edict of Milan?
  1. Read the top paragraph on page 42… it says some churches today still contain relics of martyr’s. Does this seem sacrilegious? Does your church have any relics? We’ll read the part below (from to put relics in perspective and why we, as Catholics, place importance in them.
  1. Why Do We Venerate Relics?

The veneration of relics is an ancient custom dating from the reverence shown at the graves of the martyrs even in the time of the apostles. Miracles have been worked by God in association with relics – “…not that some magical power existed in them, but just as God’s work was done through the lives of [holy people], so did His work continue after their deaths. Likewise, just as [others] were drawn closer to God through the lives of [holy people], so did they (even if through their remains) inspire others to draw closer even after their deaths. This perspective provides the Church’s understanding of relics.” (Fr. W. Saunders, “Keeping Relics in Perspective”, © 2003 Arlington Catholic Herald)

“In all, relics remind us of the holiness of a saint and his cooperation in God’s work; at the same time, relics inspire us to ask for the prayers of that saint and to beg the grace of God to live the same kind a faith-filled life.” (Saunders)

What Do We Express When We Venerate Relics?

“To venerate the relics of the saints is a profession of belief in several doctrines of the Catholic faith: (1) the belief in everlasting life for those who have obediently witnessed to Christ and His Holy Gospel here on earth; (2) the truth of the resurrection of the body for all persons on the last day; (3) the doctrine of the splendour of the human body and the respect which all should show toward the bodies of both the living and the deceased; (4) the belief in the special intercessory power which the saints enjoy in heaven because of their intimate relationship with Christ the King; and (5) the truth of our closeness to the saints because of our connection in the communion of saints — we as members of the Church militant or pilgrim Church, they as members of the Church triumphant.” (Fr. W. Saunders, “Church Teaching on Relics”, © 2003 Arlington Catholic Herald)

The Church Formulates Essential Beliefs (Page 43)

  1. True or False: The church developed its most meaningful prayers quickly.
  1. How did the Greeks begin to influence Christianity that made it different from its Jewish roots?
  1. So… I was confused by the whole “apologists” thing, but that’s because I’m taking it in context of the word “apology” as we use it today. I did a little digging around and it’s not the same. Here’s a little background information that might help it make more sense. (Seriously, I read that paragraph and the next two like 3 times and nothing made sense in my head.)

Although "apologetics" may sound like Christians need to apologize for something, the meaning of the word is quite different. Apologetics comes from the Greek word "apologia" which means "to give a defense" 1 and it implies a defense supported by specific reasons and thought. This is the same kind of defense a defense attorney might give on behalf of his client, using reasons and arguments to prove innocence.

Now that you’ve read that and it might make more sense, there are four areas where Apologists defended criticisms. Give a summary in your own words of what the book says they are.

  1. Sacrilege and Treason
  1. Incarnation
  1. Christian Practices
  1. Social Structure

Lastly, circle which one you think would be the hardest to defend and we’re going to talk about it in class.

  1. What’s a heretic? Are you a heretic?
  1. You can skip all of page 46. It’s probably been covered in the video we’ve seen in class.
  1. Was the New Testament as we know it today, the same as it was immediately after the death of Christ?
  1. There are 4 tests to determining if something measures up to being considered scripture.
  1. The writer has to have a ______connection to Jesus or to ______who knew Jesus.
  1. Does the writing accurately reflect the ______of Jesus?
  1. Has the writing been used ______in liturgical worship?
  1. Did everyone agree that the writing was ______and inspired by the Holy Spirit?
  1. So the book lists the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Peter. Does anyone else think these would be good to have in the Bible? (Think about the role of these two men in the history of the church.)
  1. You don’t have to read page 48 unless you want to. I suppose the only thing I want you to take away from it is how church gives us the ability to read the scripture and celebrate fully in the sacraments. That’s a very important part (if not the most important part) of being considered a Catholic.

The Church Refines the Way She Worships

  1. Sacraments… the signs of grace. How many sacraments have you received?
  1. Go to page 51, Initiation into the Church. Read about Baptism. Why was it risky? Ask your parents about your baptism and find out if you cried during it. Is anyone old enough to remember their baptism? Anyone fully immersed in water?
  1. What is a catechumen? How did we suspect Lent got its start?

One Body in Christ

  1. What was the name of the Apostle that replaced Judas?
  1. Church hierarchy. ______then deacons who assisted them,“presbyters” from which

we get the word ______, and lastly ______or those who have not been ordained but

share in the work.

  1. Were women used in the early ministry? Can women be priests? Has this issue ever been brought up before?