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313
The Edict of Milan
Before 313 Christianity was a religion under persecution. This changed when the two Roman emperors, Constantine of the West and Lucinius of the East agreed to allow Christianity to function as a tolerated religion. The Edict of Milan allowed Christianity to function without hindrance and by the end of the century Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan helped lead to the merger between the Christian religion and the state. -
325
The Council of Nicea
Issue of the council was if Jesus Christ was equal to God the Father. Arius stated Jesus was a created being who was of a similar substance as the Father. Athanasius stated Jesus was not a created being. He stated Jesus was of the same substance as the Father. After a debate, all but 2 of the 300 bishops at the council agreed with Athanasius that Jesus was "true God." Despite debate about the person of Jesus continuing this was a significant victory for the orthodox view of the person of Christ. -
367
Athanasius Defines the New Testament Canon
Athanasius in his "Thirty-ninth Festal Letter," first listed all 27 books of our New Testament. He left out the "Epistle of Barnabas" and "Shepherd of Hermas." and included the debated books of "Peter" and "Revelation." Alluding to the 27 books of the New Testament, Athanasius said, "In these alone the teaching of godliness is proclaimed. No one may add to them and nothing may be taken from them." The "closed canon," was recognised by the Christian church from this point onward. -
451
The Council of Chalcedon
The council convoked under Pope Leo and Emperor Marcian was attended by 520 bishops or their representatives.
The Council of Chalcedon looked at Christ's dual nature. The council decreed that Christ was both divine and human and any philosophy that held he was solely human or solely divine was a heresy.
The Council of Chalcedon also reinforced canons of earlier church councils and declared Jerusalem and Constantinople to be patriarchates. The council also approved the Nicene Creed. -
Jan 1, 1054
The East/West Schism
In 1054 Western Christians and Eastern Christians separated. It was two main factors that caused division between Western and Eastern Christians. 1st, Western Church asserted the pope's authority extended over the entire church. However, Eastern Church rejected papal authority. 2nd, Western church argued the Holy Spirit came from both the Father and the Son. The East said the Holy Spirit came only from the Father. The differences couldn’t be overcome and the Eastern and Western churches parted. -
Jan 1, 1456
Gutenburg Produces the First Printed Bible
Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press and the first Bible was revolutionary, both politically and religiously. Books could now be mass-produced and not kept only as property of the state. The Bible was put into the hands of the common people. The Protestant belief of the priesthood of all believers could now also be joined with a Bible in the hands of all believers. -
Oct 31, 1517
Luther Posts His "95 Theses"
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg. At issue for Luther was the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church. The resulting effects of this event were huge both politically and religiously as Luther's posting began the Protestant Reformation. When asked why he did it? Luther said he was bound by Scripture and reason. Luther was condemned as a heretic and sentenced to die. He escaped and the Protestant Reformation spread. -
Jan 1, 1545
Council of Trent Begins
In 1545, the Council of Trent addressed internal clergy corruption and the Protestant threat. Indulgences were banned and clergy corruption was reduced. The Roman Catholic Church solidified its doctrines in the face of the Protestant challenge. The Protestant doctrines of "scripture alone" and "justification by faith alone" were condemned. The findings of the Council of Trent, which were based on the teachings of Thomas Aquinas, characterised Roman Catholicism until the 1960s. -
The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 in a cave at Qumran. They’re the oldest set of Biblical manuscripts available predating earlier scrolls by centuries.
This is significant because scholars now have much older manuscripts of the Scriptures than before. The scrolls show the conditions and way of life that were common during Christ’s time on earth. Any major find that affects the way the Scriptures are read and interpreted is of great and eternal value to the Christian community. -
Vatican II Council Begins
2400 Roman Catholic bishops met to discuss what direction the Catholic Church would take. Results included: 1. Church shifting as monarchical structure organised under the pope to the collegial union of bishops; 2. A positive view of the role of non-Christian religions; 3. Admitting both Catholics and Protestants were to blame for the division during the Reformation and that Protestants are "separated brethren"; and (4) Acceptance of the use of vernacular language in the liturgy.
