The introduction of understanding religion in the postmodern era is to realize the attribute of God that refers to being wholly also distinctly separate from creation, although always actively involved in also with it as well. It is a journey which will take us from God is the center of life to being replaced by man. In other words, reflecting on the notes of Church History by Dr. Archie Logan, the persecution of Christians in the early church was a constant battle, as well as in the church today.
Christians have been harassed constantly for their faith, which leads me to the Book of Psalm 119:86. All vour commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause (NIV). ” The Christians of the early church (OT) were harassed for asserting God’s truths, commands also adhering to them. There was much suffering endured by the Jews because of their refusal to embrace idolatry. Looking at this ministry in the world today it’s much the same; Christians standing on the Word of God, living holy are the ones who get passed-over, talked about also treated badly due to their faith also those proclaiming the gospel (Logan 1).
However, the causes of persecution of the Christian faith during the earlier era, were political due to their loyalty to Christ, not the duties of the Roman citizenship. Under these circumstances, the Roman’s (Patriotism) wanted the Christian worship to involve that of the emperor. In reality, those of the Christian faith refused any part of uniting with that of the emperor. Instead, the Christian faith remained unmovable to their loyalty to Christ, dismissing any compromising with heathenism.
As a result, persecution rought about a change that produced true witnesses of Christian faith, preserving true doctrines of the work of Christ. Man have added also taken away from the Word of God (Bible) to fit their way of life. For example, looking world-wide today, it seems Christ or His rules is not needed in the political decision making arena, especially with transgender controversy itself, as well as the House Bill 2 (transgender restrooms). And yet, in the section the time of growth, Logan reminds us how Christianity survived the persecution also making a difference in church history.
Nonetheless, the fourth century was significant in the development of the Christian church. And yet, this is one period that memorable changes occurred that will always stand out as major events in the history of God’s people. There were key transitions also key differences made in the state also society during this era. Therefore, if understanding correctly, the Empire persecutes the church; the church went through “The Great Persecution” designed to wipe out the church that didn’t happen.
Otherwise, the Empire tolerated the church, giving it legal status. As a result, the Empire challenges the church also Paganism went down fighting and couldn’t be reestablished. And still, Christianity was legal for the state religion under the Emperor Theodosius. During that era, just as it is today, there was and is a major plan to keep the real truth of God hidden from the spiritual picture, the Christian Faith. It is an ongoing battle about what the Bible speaks especially of the Trinity. The government wants to control every aspect of our lives.
In church history, I feel, the separation between the Western church (Roman Catholic) and the Eastern church (the Orthodox) took place due to the lack of trust, beliefs, political circumstances. In other words, Western belief states that the Holy Spirit comes from The Father and The Son and can be considered the final element of the estrangement in church history (Logan 2-6). At this point of the journey, The Reformation (1517-1648) is so important to The Story of Christianity (leading to the postmodern era of religion) is how it brought about a change by orrecting faults also problems within the church.
The Reformation rejected and modified some of the doctrine, practice that built other churches, as well as denominations that affected changes in the world. In other words, The Reformation changed some things also some people for the better. In reality, Reformation of Christians also the church goes back a long way beginning before the 1517 Reformation. There were four nations of Europe that had strong monarchs, who opposed the reform. Yet, there were other roots planted about the rival of Popes leading up to the reformation of 1517 (Gonzalez 7-18).
However, this controversy about the authority of the Popes came while John Wycliffe became the leading Oxford professor. At this point, the reformation was important; it was time for a change within the church. Furthermore, this movement (reformation) Martin Luther started was the discovering of Jesus also salvation by faith alone and identifying the Papacy as the Antichrist. The reformation broke up the tradition of the papacy of the Western world by elevating the teaching of Grace also limiting the abilities of man.
Meanwhile, the movement progressed with the invention of the printing press; in other words, spreading religious literature. In fact, if understanding correctly, when the 95 Theses were posted on the door of the church by Luther, the Reformation began suddenly. Therefore, political conflicts among the German princes also the Roman emperor arose. They breached Martin Luther after the authority of the church also its doctrines were attacked. Consequently, the impact on individual lives that came from the Reformation had a wide-ranging influence on personal life.
Under these circumstances, the points to remember in the importance of the Reformation, is reformation was in opposition to the authority of the Pope, the church also those that opposed Catholicism (Protestants). However, through the reformation the church relished total supremacy, regulating literary and artistic developments. Therefore, the key point is the blind faith in the church that lead to modern times (Gonzalez 119-123). The Middle Ages was ending and the modern era was surly on the way.
In fact, important documents also events began to spring out such as the 95 Theses, Anabaptists/Radical Reformation, Jesuits, also the Westminster Confession, Therefore, to summarize The Reformation, it is essential to mention those that were influential to this movement; Martin Luther, who brought attention to doctrines and culture of the Lutheran also Protestants traditions; call the church to return to the teachings of the Bible leading to new change within Christianity along with many other accomplishments (Gonzalez 17-470).
Huldreich Zwingli (Gonzalez 55-224), John Calvin (Gonzalez 67-459), Theodore Beza (84, 229), John Knox (Gonzalez 87, 100-104), John Huss (466) are other theologians that were involved in this movement. All having an amazing role toward religion in the Post Modern Era. Likewise, this journey takes us to the Roman Catholic Action that will play a part in the modern movement. In Catholic, Lutheran also the Reformed Orthodoxies, one will find numerous similarities as well as some differences.
However, in early years, Lutheran also the Reformed Orthodoxy kept their line of communication open, reading each other’s work until Christian beliefs and how the three traditions view these issues took place. As a result, the Orthodoxy accepts the books of the New Testament when it came to the composition of the Bible. And yet, the Protestant rejected the deuterocanonical as not being Scripture, but on the other hand, Roman Catholics sided with the orthodoxy on the validity of these books.