Assignment Prompt & Instructions
SEE ATTACHED
**files (3)**
– ## WEEK7BIBL260DIALOGUE.docx
– ## WhoseChurchistheTrueChurch.pdf
– TheFormationoftheRomanCatholicChurch.pdf
**## WEEK7BIBL260DIALOGUE.docx**
Here are
**nine thoughtful reflection questions** based on your Week 5–7 material (Nicene Creed, Post-Nicene Fathers, and Church unity). These are written in a way you can submit directly:
#### **Reflection Questions (Weeks 5–7)**
1. How did the debate between Arius and Athanasius shape the Church’s understanding of Christ’s divinity, and why was this issue so important for salvation?
2. Why was the term
_homoousios_ (“same essence”) so critical at the Council of Nicaea, and what might have happened if the Church had accepted a compromise position instead?
3. How did language differences between the Eastern and Western Church contribute to theological confusion about the Trinity, and what does this teach us about communication in theology today?
4. In what ways did the teachings of the Cappadocian Fathers help clarify the role and divinity of the Holy Spirit, and why was this necessary for a complete doctrine of the Trinity?
5. Why was the definition of Christ as both fully God and fully man at the Council of Chalcedon essential to orthodox Christianity, and what problems arise if either nature is denied?
6. How did figures like John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia influence the way Christians interpret Scripture, and why does their rejection of allegory matter?
7. In what ways did Augustine of Hippo shape Western Christian thought, and which of his ideas still influence the Church today—for better or worse?
8. How did the Iconoclastic Controversy challenge the Church’s understanding of worship, and what does the defense of icons reveal about beliefs regarding the Incarnation?
9. With so many different claims about what makes the “true Church” (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, etc.), what criteria seem most faithful to the teachings of Scripture and early Church history?
**## WhoseChurchistheTrueChurch.pdf**
12/16/20
1
Whose Church is the True
Church?
What makes a Church “Apostolic”?
The Problem Stated
For 1000 years the Church considered itself one
church, composed of families represented by the five
“Patriarchies” – the Bishops of five cities considered
uncommonly important in the Roman Empire.
Jerusalem
Constantinople
Rome
Antioch in Syria
Alexandria in Egypt
1
2
12/16/20
2
The Problem Stated
The things that defined the Unity of the
Church were
One Creed (Nicene Creed as modified by
Chalcedon)
Similar Liturgy with only minor local variations.
Participation in Water Baptism and Eucharist.
“Apostolic Succession” where the leaders of the
churches could trace their ordination back to the
original Apostles.
The Problem Stated
This unity was broken by
Barbarian invasions which isolated one patriarch
(Rome) from the other 4.
Islamic invasions which captured Alexandria,
Antioch, and finally Jerusalem.
This forced a separation of Antiochene, Alexandrian,
and Byzantine (Constantinople) Christians into isolated
groups.
The capture of Constantinople in 1453 made Moscow
the center of Orthodox Christianity.
3
4
12/16/20
3
The Problem Stated
This mutual isolation led to
The development of different liturgies and different
doctrinal emphases.
Competition over what form of Christianity would
claim the loyalty of Christians in different areas.
Irish and Roman missionaries collide in England, the
Germanies, and Scandinavia.
Roman and Russian Orthodox missionaries fight over
Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Poland.
The Problem Stated
This was complicated by the Reformation.
The “magisterial” Reformers such as Luther and
Calvin reject the authority of the Bishop of Rome.
The “radical” Reformers such as Zwingli and the
Anabaptists reject the authority of any overarching
church organization.
5
6
12/16/20
4
The Marks of the True Church
Eastern Orthodox churches claim:
Apostolic succession of their bishops.
Creeds approved by all Christians at one time.
Liturgy and Sacraments which come directly from
the original Apostles.
Submission to the Bishop, confession of the creed,
and receiving the sacraments guarantees a true
church.
(Anglicans claim all the above for their church)
The Marks of the True Church
Roman Catholic church claims:
Apostolic Succession of the Pope as the spiritual
heir of St. Peter (first among the Apostles) and the
“Vicar of Christ.”
The only correct doctrine and liturgy; based upon
the teaching authority of the Pope as Christ’s vicar.
“Filioque” or “and the Son” added to Nicene Creed.
Transubstantiation of the host in the Eucharist
Submission to the Pope guarantees a true church.
7
8
12/16/20
5
The Marks of the True Church
Reformed and Lutheran churches claim:
Submission to Scriptural preaching as the final
authority on faith and morals.
The sacraments (Water Baptism, Eucharist, Word
preached, and Confirmation [Lutheran]) “properly
administered” by ordained clergy.
Submission to Scripture and receiving the
sacraments guarantees a true church.
The Marks of the True Church
Anabaptist, Baptist, Revival, and Holiness
groups claim:
Submission to Bible as defined by the Leading of
the Spirit
The joining of believers into Covenant assemblies
(believers only)
Worship with the ordinances (Communion and
Adult water baptism) led by spiritual authority.
Following Bible & Spirit and avoiding “priest-craft”
guarantees a true church.
9
10
12/16/20
6
Note on Current Events
For the last 30 years or so some Evangelicals
have been searching for a way to connect with
the early or “authentic” church.
Not contained/constrained by American cultural
values or materialism (the philosophy, as well as
greed)
Anchored in something older than American ideas
of individual responsibility and liberty.
Unified as opposed to an ever-more-splintered
church.
Note on Current Events
This search has taken several turns.
Growth of Eastern Orthodoxy, joined by former
Evangelicals, Charismatics, and Pentecostals.
Renewal of many Roman Catholic parishes by neo-
conservatives.
Return by many to more conservative Reformed,
Lutheran, and Anglican denominations.
The “Emerging Church” movement.
Adoption of ancient liturgical forms by many.
11
12
**TheFormationoftheRomanCatholicChurch.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/theformationoftheromancatholicchurch-pdf)
**TheFormationoftheRomanCatholicChurch.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/theformationoftheromancatholicchurch-pdf)
**## WEEK7BIBL260DIALOGUE.docx**
Here are
**nine thoughtful reflection questions** based on your Week 5–7 material (Nicene Creed, Post-Nicene Fathers, and Church unity). These are written in a way you can submit directly:
#### **Reflection Questions (Weeks 5–7)**
1. How did the debate between Arius and Athanasius shape the Church’s understanding of Christ’s divinity, and why was this issue so important for salvation?
2. Why was the term
_homoousios_ (“same essence”) so critical at the Council of Nicaea, and what might have happened if the Church had accepted a compromise position instead?
3. How did language differences between the Eastern and Western Church contribute to theological confusion about the Trinity, and what does this teach us about communication in theology today?
4. In what ways did the teachings of the Cappadocian Fathers help clarify the role and divinity of the Holy Spirit, and why was this necessary for a complete doctrine of the Trinity?
5. Why was the definition of Christ as both fully God and fully man at the Council of Chalcedon essential to orthodox Christianity, and what problems arise if either nature is denied?
6. How did figures like John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia influence the way Christians interpret Scripture, and why does their rejection of allegory matter?
7. In what ways did Augustine of Hippo shape Western Christian thought, and which of his ideas still influence the Church today—for better or worse?
8. How did the Iconoclastic Controversy challenge the Church’s understanding of worship, and what does the defense of icons reveal about beliefs regarding the Incarnation?
9. With so many different claims about what makes the “true Church” (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, etc.), what criteria seem most faithful to the teachings of Scripture and early Church history?
**## WhoseChurchistheTrueChurch.pdf**
12/16/20
1
Whose Church is the True
Church?
What makes a Church “Apostolic”?
The Problem Stated
For 1000 years the Church considered itself one
church, composed of families represented by the five
“Patriarchies” – the Bishops of five cities considered
uncommonly important in the Roman Empire.
Jerusalem
Constantinople
Rome
Antioch in Syria
Alexandria in Egypt
1
2
12/16/20
2
The Problem Stated
The things that defined the Unity of the
Church were
One Creed (Nicene Creed as modified by
Chalcedon)
Similar Liturgy with only minor local variations.
Participation in Water Baptism and Eucharist.
“Apostolic Succession” where the leaders of the
churches could trace their ordination back to the
original Apostles.
The Problem Stated
This unity was broken by
Barbarian invasions which isolated one patriarch
(Rome) from the other 4.
Islamic invasions which captured Alexandria,
Antioch, and finally Jerusalem.
This forced a separation of Antiochene, Alexandrian,
and Byzantine (Constantinople) Christians into isolated
groups.
The capture of Constantinople in 1453 made Moscow
the center of Orthodox Christianity.
3
4
12/16/20
3
The Problem Stated
This mutual isolation led to
The development of different liturgies and different
doctrinal emphases.
Competition over what form of Christianity would
claim the loyalty of Christians in different areas.
Irish and Roman missionaries collide in England, the
Germanies, and Scandinavia.
Roman and Russian Orthodox missionaries fight over
Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Poland.
The Problem Stated
This was complicated by the Reformation.
The “magisterial” Reformers such as Luther and
Calvin reject the authority of the Bishop of Rome.
The “radical” Reformers such as Zwingli and the
Anabaptists reject the authority of any overarching
church organization.
5
6
12/16/20
4
The Marks of the True Church
Eastern Orthodox churches claim:
Apostolic succession of their bishops.
Creeds approved by all Christians at one time.
Liturgy and Sacraments which come directly from
the original Apostles.
Submission to the Bishop, confession of the creed,
and receiving the sacraments guarantees a true
church.
(Anglicans claim all the above for their church)
The Marks of the True Church
Roman Catholic church claims:
Apostolic Succession of the Pope as the spiritual
heir of St. Peter (first among the Apostles) and the
“Vicar of Christ.”
The only correct doctrine and liturgy; based upon
the teaching authority of the Pope as Christ’s vicar.
“Filioque” or “and the Son” added to Nicene Creed.
Transubstantiation of the host in the Eucharist
Submission to the Pope guarantees a true church.
7
8
12/16/20
5
The Marks of the True Church
Reformed and Lutheran churches claim:
Submission to Scriptural preaching as the final
authority on faith and morals.
The sacraments (Water Baptism, Eucharist, Word
preached, and Confirmation [Lutheran]) “properly
administered” by ordained clergy.
Submission to Scripture and receiving the
sacraments guarantees a true church.
The Marks of the True Church
Anabaptist, Baptist, Revival, and Holiness
groups claim:
Submission to Bible as defined by the Leading of
the Spirit
The joining of believers into Covenant assemblies
(believers only)
Worship with the ordinances (Communion and
Adult water baptism) led by spiritual authority.
Following Bible & Spirit and avoiding “priest-craft”
guarantees a true church.
9
10
12/16/20
6
Note on Current Events
For the last 30 years or so some Evangelicals
have been searching for a way to connect with
the early or “authentic” church.
Not contained/constrained by American cultural
values or materialism (the philosophy, as well as
greed)
Anchored in something older than American ideas
of individual responsibility and liberty.
Unified as opposed to an ever-more-splintered
church.
Note on Current Events
This search has taken several turns.
Growth of Eastern Orthodoxy, joined by former
Evangelicals, Charismatics, and Pentecostals.
Renewal of many Roman Catholic parishes by neo-
conservatives.
Return by many to more conservative Reformed,
Lutheran, and Anglican denominations.
The “Emerging Church” movement.
Adoption of ancient liturgical forms by many.
11
12
**TheFormationoftheRomanCatholicChurch.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/theformationoftheromancatholicchurch-pdf)
**## WEEK7BIBL260DIALOGUE.docx**
Here are
**nine thoughtful reflection questions** based on your Week 5–7 material (Nicene Creed, Post-Nicene Fathers, and Church unity). These are written in a way you can submit directly:
#### **Reflection Questions (Weeks 5–7)**
1. How did the debate between Arius and Athanasius shape the Church’s understanding of Christ’s divinity, and why was this issue so important for salvation?
2. Why was the term
_homoousios_ (“same essence”) so critical at the Council of Nicaea, and what might have happened if the Church had accepted a compromise position instead?
3. How did language differences between the Eastern and Western Church contribute to theological confusion about the Trinity, and what does this teach us about communication in theology today?
4. In what ways did the teachings of the Cappadocian Fathers help clarify the role and divinity of the Holy Spirit, and why was this necessary for a complete doctrine of the Trinity?
5. Why was the definition of Christ as both fully God and fully man at the Council of Chalcedon essential to orthodox Christianity, and what problems arise if either nature is denied?
6. How did figures like John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia influence the way Christians interpret Scripture, and why does their rejection of allegory matter?
7. In what ways did Augustine of Hippo shape Western Christian thought, and which of his ideas still influence the Church today—for better or worse?
8. How did the Iconoclastic Controversy challenge the Church’s understanding of worship, and what does the defense of icons reveal about beliefs regarding the Incarnation?
9. With so many different claims about what makes the “true Church” (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, etc.), what criteria seem most faithful to the teachings of Scripture and early Church history?
**## WhoseChurchistheTrueChurch.pdf**
12/16/20
1
Whose Church is the True
Church?
What makes a Church “Apostolic”?
The Problem Stated
For 1000 years the Church considered itself one
church, composed of families represented by the five
“Patriarchies” – the Bishops of five cities considered
uncommonly important in the Roman Empire.
Jerusalem
Constantinople
Rome
Antioch in Syria
Alexandria in Egypt
1
2
12/16/20
2
The Problem Stated
The things that defined the Unity of the
Church were
One Creed (Nicene Creed as modified by
Chalcedon)
Similar Liturgy with only minor local variations.
Participation in Water Baptism and Eucharist.
“Apostolic Succession” where the leaders of the
churches could trace their ordination back to the
original Apostles.
The Problem Stated
This unity was broken by
Barbarian invasions which isolated one patriarch
(Rome) from the other 4.
Islamic invasions which captured Alexandria,
Antioch, and finally Jerusalem.
This forced a separation of Antiochene, Alexandrian,
and Byzantine (Constantinople) Christians into isolated
groups.
The capture of Constantinople in 1453 made Moscow
the center of Orthodox Christianity.
3
4
12/16/20
3
The Problem Stated
This mutual isolation led to
The development of different liturgies and different
doctrinal emphases.
Competition over what form of Christianity would
claim the loyalty of Christians in different areas.
Irish and Roman missionaries collide in England, the
Germanies, and Scandinavia.
Roman and Russian Orthodox missionaries fight over
Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Poland.
The Problem Stated
This was complicated by the Reformation.
The “magisterial” Reformers such as Luther and
Calvin reject the authority of the Bishop of Rome.
The “radical” Reformers such as Zwingli and the
Anabaptists reject the authority of any overarching
church organization.
5
6
12/16/20
4
The Marks of the True Church
Eastern Orthodox churches claim:
Apostolic succession of their bishops.
Creeds approved by all Christians at one time.
Liturgy and Sacraments which come directly from
the original Apostles.
Submission to the Bishop, confession of the creed,
and receiving the sacraments guarantees a true
church.
(Anglicans claim all the above for their church)
The Marks of the True Church
Roman Catholic church claims:
Apostolic Succession of the Pope as the spiritual
heir of St. Peter (first among the Apostles) and the
“Vicar of Christ.”
The only correct doctrine and liturgy; based upon
the teaching authority of the Pope as Christ’s vicar.
“Filioque” or “and the Son” added to Nicene Creed.
Transubstantiation of the host in the Eucharist
Submission to the Pope guarantees a true church.
7
8
12/16/20
5
The Marks of the True Church
Reformed and Lutheran churches claim:
Submission to Scriptural preaching as the final
authority on faith and morals.
The sacraments (Water Baptism, Eucharist, Word
preached, and Confirmation [Lutheran]) “properly
administered” by ordained clergy.
Submission to Scripture and receiving the
sacraments guarantees a true church.
The Marks of the True Church
Anabaptist, Baptist, Revival, and Holiness
groups claim:
Submission to Bible as defined by the Leading of
the Spirit
The joining of believers into Covenant assemblies
(believers only)
Worship with the ordinances (Communion and
Adult water baptism) led by spiritual authority.
Following Bible & Spirit and avoiding “priest-craft”
guarantees a true church.
9
10
12/16/20
6
Note on Current Events
For the last 30 years or so some Evangelicals
have been searching for a way to connect with
the early or “authentic” church.
Not contained/constrained by American cultural
values or materialism (the philosophy, as well as
greed)
Anchored in something older than American ideas
of individual responsibility and liberty.
Unified as opposed to an ever-more-splintered
church.
Note on Current Events
This search has taken several turns.
Growth of Eastern Orthodoxy, joined by former
Evangelicals, Charismatics, and Pentecostals.
Renewal of many Roman Catholic parishes by neo-
conservatives.
Return by many to more conservative Reformed,
Lutheran, and Anglican denominations.
The “Emerging Church” movement.
Adoption of ancient liturgical forms by many.
11
12
**TheFormationoftheRomanCatholicChurch.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/theformationoftheromancatholicchurch-pdf)