TEACHING NOTES Introduction This session will conclude the Doctrinal Drift series. At the beginning of this series we talked about why church history matters. Knowing the basic history of Christianity helps us to identify when certain doctrines changed and when others began. In the same way, we also need to have a basic understanding of the rise of denominations. Many Christians do not realize having separate denominations is a relatively new idea in the history of Christianity. ‌ Outline: ‌1. Ancient “Denominations” ‌2. Christian Denominations ‌3. Why Denominations? ‌4. Dividing Lines ‌ Luke 9:49–50 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” ‌ Ancient “Denominations” Many modern people assume that during the time of the apostles there was one form of Judaism. This is not the case. There were several forms of Judaism during the Second Temple Period. Having a basic understanding of these ancient Jewish groups gives us more insight into the New Testament. ‌ Ancient Israelite Religion Rooted in the family of Abraham, ancient Judaism began its practices with the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Once the tabernacle was built, Israel began practicing the Torah. This continued with the building of the first temple under Solomon around 950 BC. After Solomon the nation was divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC and the ten tribes were scattered to other nations. Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom in 586 BC and took the tribes of Judah and Benjamin into exile in Babylon. After 70 years, these two tribes are allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild in 516 BC, which is detailed in Ezra and Nehemiah. From the rebuilding of Jerusalem to its destruction in AD 70 is called “The Second Temple Period.” ‌ Second Temple Judaism(s) During the intertestamental period, Israelite religion became fractured into several groups. This is similar to modern denominations in that these groups believed some of the same doctrines, but were divided on many other issues. ‌ Samaritans: The Samaritans were a mixed breed of the ten Northern tribes of Israels and Gentiles. The Samaritans had their own temple and their own version of the Torah (the Samaritan Pentateuch). Many Samaritans became Christians during the time of Jesus and the apostles. ‌ Pharisees: The Pharisees were the leaders of the synagogues and held sway over the common people of Israel. The Pharisees acknowledged all of the Hebrew Old Testament and taught the Torah with fervor. They also added rules to the Torah laws, which Jesus called “the traditions of men,” which they oppressively enforced on the people of Israel. Many Pharisees became Christians and the rest went on to create Rabbinic Judaism, which is the main form of Judaism today. ‌ Zealots: The Zealots were a kind of extreme form of Judaism. They hated the Romans and anyone who compromised with Rome. They were violent and often tried to overthrow Roman rule. The Zealots were one of the main groups responsible for starting the war with Rome that led to their destruction. ‌ Essenes: The Essenes were a group of priests who separated from Jerusalem and its leaders over their compromises with Rome. The Essenes founded a community in Qumran where they continued to practice conservative Judaism. They also preserved ancient Hebrew and Greek Scriptures and writings now known as The Dead Sea Scrolls. This group was wiped out by AD 140. ‌ Sadducees: The Sadducees were the elite group who ran the Jewish temple. They were liberal in their theology and politics. Sadducees only acknowledge the Torah and rejected the rest of the Old Testament. They did not believe in spirits, angels, demons, or resurrection. They were also in bed with Rome to great political and financial benefit. This group became extinct at the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. ‌ Gentile God-fearers: This group, while not organized or official, was made up of Gentiles who acknowledged Yahweh as God and worshiped Him. While many of them would have become Jewish by being circumcised and celebrating the feasts, many others were believers in Yahweh at a distance. ‌ Early Christianity (AD 27—100) Early Christianity began as a predominately Jewish group that also included Gentiles. Many Jews from the various groups described above became Christians. However, the majority of Jews (especially Jewish leaders) rejected the Gospel. The early church began to be persecuted in Jerusalem by the Jewish leaders, which led the apostles to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. By the second century AD, the church became predominately Gentile. ‌ Rabbinic Judaism (after AD 70) After the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, Judaism was left with no way to practice the feasts and sacrificial system. In other words, they had no way to practice most of the Torah. With the Zealots and Sadducees now destroyed, only the Pharisees were left. The Pharisees then became what is now Rabbinic Judaism. Without a temple, Judaism became focused on the teachings of the Rabbis and how to stay faithful to Yahweh until the Messiah arrives. ‌ Islam/Muslim (AD 622) While Muslims claim that their faith goes back to Abraham, this is false. Islam did not exist until about AD 622. The prophet Muhammad (AD 570-632) claimed to have had visions from the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years, the content of which later became the Quran. Muhammad did not write the Quran, but it is a record of his teachings written and compiled by later scribes. The oldest fragments of the Quran that exist today are from around AD 800, except for a single page dated AD 645 which was found in 2015. ‌ Muslims claim that Jews and Christians changed the story of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. Whereas the Jewish and Christian Scriptures claim that Isaac was the chosen son, Muslims claim that Ishmael was the chosen son. Muslims claim that ancient Jews changed the story for their benefit. It is not a coincidence that Muslims trace their lineage back to Ishmael. Muslims claim to be the true form of Abrahamic faith and all other non-Muslims are often called “infidels.” ‌ Christian Denominations ‌ Period of Unity (AD 30—400) In the first 300 years of Christianity, the Church was basically unified. There were several heretical groups that arose (Ebionism, Gnosticism, Montanism, Manichaeism, Novatianism), but were quickly declared as not being authentic Christianity. During this time there was one Church scattered throughout the world. ‌ Theological Tensions (AD 400—1000) Around AD 400 there arose some doctrinal disagreements between the eastern and western churches. The western churches began to accept the doctrines of Augustine (original sin/guilt, predestination, etc). The eastern church rejected these doctrines as new and faulty. This doctrinal divide between east and west continued, but these were not considered heretical issues at the time. Also during this period, the western church began to use the Latin translation while the eastern church continued using the original Greek Bible. Greater than doctrinal issues was the disagreement over the Roman Pope. The western church declared that the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) had authority over the entire church worldwide. The eastern church disagreed and took the view that the church would be led by a group of unified bishops from each major area. Despite these disagreements, Christianity was still considered to be unified as one Church represented by five geographical areas: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. ‌ The Great Schism (AD 1054) While doctrinal divides continued, another controversy between east and west became a major issue. This was the Iconoclast controversy, which was a dispute over whether the church have icons (art, images, statues). Eventually, both the eastern and western church declared each other as heretical. From this point on the Roman church was considered separate from the rest of the eastern churches. ‌ Western Roman Catholicism vs Eastern Orthodoxy The western church became what is now known as Roman Catholicism. The eastern church became what is now known as Eastern Orthodox or Greek Orthodox. Roman Catholics continued using the Latin Bible, while Eastern Orthodoxy continued using the ancient Greek Bible. Roman Catholics continued to be led by the Pope, while the Eastern Orthodox continued being led by a large group of unified Bishops. ‌ The Protestant Reformation (1517) During the middle ages the Roman Catholic Church began practices that were corrupt. Indulgences were being sold to guarantee salvation, even for the dead. Church and state were synonomous and corruption was rampant. This led the Catholic priest Martin Luther to start what became the Protestant Reformation. The reformers rejected the Pope and the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church, but kept many of the doctrines that had been prominent since Augustine. The reformers also kept many of the doctrines that arose during the middle ages (Penal-Substitutionary Atonement, Predestination, etc). The early Reformation led to three major groups: Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed. From these many of the Protestant denominations were formed over time. ‌ Radical Reformers Although the Protestant Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli had rejected many of the practices of Roman Catholicism, another group believed that the reformers had not gone far enough. These radical reformers became known as Anabaptists. The Anabaptists rejected infant baptism and were teaching that people should only be baptized after they had repented and believed in the Gospel. The Anabaptists also rejected the Reformer’s system of governing the church. The Protestant Reformers heavily persecuted the Anabaptists and even had many of them drowned. From the Anabaptists came the Amish and the Mennonites. Another group of radical reformers was The Brethren, which later became the Evangelical Free Church of America and the Evangelical Covenant Church. ‌ Why Denominations? There are many reasons that Christians divide into various groups. Here are few reasons: ‌ Doctrinal Disagreements: Some groups divide over various doctrines or teachings. In the ancient church, large councils were held to discuss doctrines which were at odds with the teachings of Scripture. Today, some groups are divided over doctrines that didn’t even exist in ancient Christianity. ‌ Practical Disagreements: Some groups divide over traditions or practices within the church. These could include: music, buildings, spiritual gifts, Bible translation, choosing a pastor, etc. ‌ Ecclesiastical Disagreements: Some groups divide on church polity or how the church is governed. For example, Episcopalian churches are led by regional bishops who are in authority over local priests. Presbyterian churches are led by a local group of elders. Other denominations are pastor-led or congregation-led. Still others are led by a church council or group of deacons. ‌ Political Disagreements: Some groups in the medieval period divided over issues of church and state. In early America, groups divided over slavery. Today, groups are divided between liberal and conservative politics. ‌ Dividing Lines ‌ When should we divide? While unity should be our desire, there are certain issues in which division is necessary. There are certain doctrines that have always been considered as heresy and worthy of division. Today we can think of these as closed-hand and open-hand doctrines. ‌ Closed-hand Doctrines: - ‌The Bible is the Word of God ‌- The Trinity: God is united in three persons ‌- The Doctrine of Christ: virgin birth, divine and human ‌- The Exclusivity of Christ: Jesus is the only way to the Father ‌ Open-hand Doctrines: ‌- Bible Translations ‌- Bible Chronology/Calendar ‌- Eschatology/End Times ‌- Spiritual Gifts ‌- Worship Styles ‌ How do we deal with all these divisions? How should we treat those with whom we disagree? ‌ Ephesians 4:1–3 ‌“1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” ‌ 1 Peter 3:8 ‌“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” ‌