Crosses and Pillars: Rediscovering Church History

By Bryan Northcutt

This book reintroduces ecclesiastical history in a concise manner that speaks both to the laymen and academic, informing them concerning the events and theology that the church struggled with and emerged victorious over the past two millennia. It is an objective study of ecclesiastical history that led the author to a more robust understanding of theology which challenges some of the novel differences in the numerous Protestant denominations of today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664285088

Bryan Northcutt

Bryan Northcutt has obtained a B.A. in Christian Studies, M.A. in History from CSU, M.Sc. in Philosophy of Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh. He has also accomplished post-graduate work in Theology, Apologetics, and Education at other institutions and archaeological/historical studies at Oxford University.

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Copyright © 2022 Bryan Northcutt.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English

Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry

of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8509-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8510-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8508-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022921841

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/06/2022

To Angela Northcutt, my incredible wife, who has supported

me over a long journey of university and research.

CONTENTS

Preface

Methodology

Unit 1   The Ancient Church

Apostolic Fathers

Irenaeus of Lyons

Tertullian of Carthage

Cyprian of Carthage

Origen of Alexandria

Unit 2   Late Antiquity

Constantine

The Fourth Century

Athanasius

Ambrose of Milan

Chrysostom and Jerome

Augustine of Hippo

Patricius of Ireland

The Fifth and Sixth Centuries

Pope Leo and the Controversy

Gregory the Great

Unit 3   The Medieval Period

Charlemagne: Charles the Great

The Scandinavian Exchange

Constantinople and the East

Islam and the Fall of Rome

The Crusades

St. Anselm and the Argument for God

Thomas Aquinas

The Renaissance

John Wycliffe

Unit 4   The Reformation and Beyond

Luther, Tetzel, Erasmus, and Aristotle

Luther Changed History

The Reformation

John Calvin

The Book of Concord and the Lutherans

The Colloquy of Montbeliard

The Puritans

Radical Reformers

The Separatists

The Baptists

The Great Awakenings

The Nineteenth Century: Heroes and Heresy

Conclusion

Reference List

PREFACE

The title and purpose of this book are united in that all religious and historical aspects about Christianity are tied together and hence inseparable. For those who are uninformed of the theology or history, or those who are unfamiliar with both, this book attempts to explain in a unique way how these two aspects of Christianity are indeed connected. It is vitally important, as it is with all of history, to provide a genuine context to our culture and reality in general. It is also significant to note that, in the discipline of history, precise analysis must be executed when interpreting texts that were written to and from cultures from different time periods. Thus, it is important to interpret the Scriptures and writings of past theologians properly rather than just reading them at face value based on present perceptions. While philosophers and scientists spend their lives investigating the universe in which we live, there is a teleological answer that invades history and establishes a plausible and credible resolution to the questions they ask and claim to answer, although inadequately in many cases.

Accordingly, Jesus of Nazareth violated the ancient norms of morality and theology by introducing himself, according to the Gospels, as the incarnate Yahweh so that all people could know and comprehend who the authentic God was that existed among the many polytheistic assertions of the day. The history of Christianity after this incarnation event developed and progressed to further explain not only a religion, but reality itself. No longer was humanity chained to superstitious investigations of the world that predominately resulted in polytheistic explanations. Never again would people be forced to expand their perceptions from the subjective peaks of ignorance. Thus, Christianity is the predominant religion that was founded in historical events that can be investigated and analyzed.

Ironically, a biased misnomer has called the early medieval period the Dark Ages. As we will see, Christianity pulled humanity out of the Dark Ages of antiquity. Whether humans resided in the powerful civilizations that existed or dwelt in the barbaric non-ordered societies that surrounded them, the Christians eventually developed humanity into the modern age of philosophy, science, and liberal education. Many Christians today have ignored this rich history and its benefits to humankind, both spiritual and material, to control and dominate those with their teachings and methodologies. It is common to hear pastors in churches or even theologians at universities completely misrepresent history to substantiate a claim they intend to make. If one were to compare this scene to Augustine’s treatise On the City of God Against the Pagans, one might see the Orthodox Church as that celestial city, while those who reject the historical and apostolic interpretation of Scripture to be the barbarians that lie in the hinterlands. That being said, it is not the purpose of this book to harshly judge anyone, ancient or contemporary, as a subject or audience. However, it is sometimes necessary to use clear and direct language to awaken the mind and instruct. Thus, the language employed is never meant to offend or dishearten but to patently teach that which is unique to Christianity, its history, and instruction left to us by those who lived and thought prior to our time on this earth.

METHODOLOGY

As I contemplated how to write about these various topics of church history, it was vitally important for me to bring out the accuracy of each subject. My references include not only primary sources but secondary sources. Sources include secular historians, theologians, and church historians. As I read through many of these sources, I realized considerable bias on the parts of many of the authors and thereby intend to weed out as much of that as possible. Certainly, there are more detailed period-focused books on particular subjects that might better satisfy the academic, but the purpose of this book is to give a brief and accurate account of each of these subjects in ecclesiastical history without losing the reader in the abundant and sometimes confusing details that surround each subject.

Though some may disagree and might accuse me of bias, it is my intent to write this book as objectively as possible, relying on my education in these matters from the several universities at which I have studied. It is also my methodology to use only the most eminent scholarly sources in researching these subjects. I have incorporated a bit of academic snobbery to achieve the highest quality of information since many religious-based books are too heavily corrupted with inaccurate information to substantiate their distinct beliefs. The religious sources I utilized proved to me to attempt to be objective even if they partially failed. That being said, I also used that same methodology toward secular sources that blatantly, without critical thought, attempt to portray the Church as a dark entity to serve their own philosophical agenda. I have limited the use of actual Scripture due to the reality that individuals within Christianity mainly interpret such words according to their own beliefs. This being the case, it is essential to communicate the historical theologians’ interpretation of Scripture and their conclusions on specific topics.

While my writing might seem to be biased toward a particular perspective, my initial objective study of these matters brought me to a better understanding of sacramental theology that many attempt to ignore. Some have rejected sacramental theology due to a misconception of the patristic and medieval Church, a pragmatic view of religion, or their Christology and soteriology. The sacramental theology coincides with the Christology that the patriarchs disseminated and with which many struggled during the Reformation. Hence, I highlight the sacramental topics not because of bias, but owing to the conclusions upon which the Scriptures, history, and theology jointly agree.

UNIT ONE

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THE ANCIENT

CHURCH

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APOSTOLIC FATHERS

FIRST AND SECOND CENTURIES AD

The small, dusty town of Nazareth launched a philosophical war on the massive fertile Mediterranean Empire that resulted in its utter transformation. For millennia, the Mediterranean had been a region of power struggles and dominion, development and exploitation. Though this certainly continued through the powerful and renowned, hope was given to the ignobilem, the obscure and unknown. This new philosophy pulled asunder the columns of ancient thought that rendered humanity impotent to reach its potential as beings created in the image of God. The assault that abolished the burden of a heavy yoke emerged from one, then twelve, and then thousands. Christians were to take up their cross to follow Christ, but when the cross of Christ was made known through the Gospels, those transformed became pillars of light (lux) and truth (veritas) to the world.

As we begin in the first century with the Christian writers who were the pastoral pioneers who succeeded the apostles, it will gradually be illuminated how the simple but glorious Gospel began to change not only the status of those redeemed before God; it also changed their everyday lives, their very thinking. These first Christians dwelt throughout the expanse of the Mediterranean and its borderlands, existing amongst a critical and hostile culture. At this point, they possessed only three to four Gospels; one might consider these pamphlets. The Apostles’ epistles were known to most but disparate from any type of New Testament that existed much later. Most of these writers were not serious theologians; their writings to the Christians of that day were often merely pastoral, attempting to encourage them in their faith. The Apostolic Fathers were men considered to be a transitionary element between the apostles and the early church fathers or patriarchs. We know much less about these individuals and possess only a few of their writings. Most of what we know of them, except for Polycarp, is from these limited writings. They were responsible for passing the Gospel and the apostolic traditions from the apostles to the early church. The church in this period could be considered a developing one that emerged from the fledgling church under the apostles.

A few of the writings:

• The Letter of Clement: Clement of Rome (AD 96) addresses a controversy with the church in Corinth dealing with the replacement of their leaders.

• The Letters of Ignatius of Antioch: Before being arrested and executed in c. AD 110, Ignatius wrote seven letters to several churches and to Polycarp of Smyrna. He warned of the corrupt teachings of the proto-Gnostics and the importance of the sacraments.

• The Didache: (AD 100) This was written from Syria and is actually entitled The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles through the Twelve Apostles. It deals with doctrinal teaching and church practices.

• The Fragments of Papias: (AD 120) This document contains the sayings of Jesus that are not in the Gospels. They had been dismissed as not being authentic.

• The Letter of Barnabas: (AD 120) This document is a guide for interpreting the Old Testament from a Christian perspective.

• The Shepherd of Hermas: (AD 110–140) This letter deals with morality, baptism, and forgiveness of sins.

• The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians: (AD 110) Polycarp’s writings are similar to Paul’s writings.

• The Letter to Diognetus: (AD 100–150) This is a defense of Christianity and a condemnation of paganism and Judaism.

PERSECUTION

Persecution existed during this period but was sporadic. The main reason that Rome persecuted Christians was that they viewed Christians as divisive to the Roman Empire and the Roman culture. Being monotheistic and proclaiming exclusivity to Christ, Christians did not fit well into a pluralist and polytheistic society. Tacitus mentioned in The Annals that the Christians hated humanity, engaged in shameful offenses, and originated in Judea where all that was abominable and shameful flowed together and gained popularity. He depicts their persecution by Nero, describing how they were torn apart by dogs, fastened to crosses, and set on fire at night to provide light. Pliny also gives testimony to executions and imprisonments under Emperor Trajan, stating that they were stubborn and would be given a reprieve if they worshiped the Roman’s gods and emperor, who was considered a deity. Emperor worship was widespread throughout the empire and was used as a device to encourage unity in the Roman provinces. As Rome occupied various lands, the Romans integrated the conquered people’s gods and culture