History of Christianity 6: Schism and the Seeds of Schism

In this video, we take a look at the history of the Christian Church during the years 400-500. We look at the Christological controversies, including St. Cyril of Alexandria's defeat of the Nestorian heresy at the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus in 431 and the defeat of the Monophysite heresy begun by Eutyches at the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon in 451. We also look at St. Augustine of Hippo's battle against the heresy of Pelagianism and how his battle against this heresy inadvertently caused him to sow the seeds of the Great Schism through his invention of the doctrine of Original Sin. Finally, we look briefly at the expansion of the Church by St. Patrick in Ireland and under King Clovis I in France.

Suggested Reading:
"The Story of Christianity: An Illustrated History of 2000 Years of the Christian Faith" - David Bentley Hart
"Early Christian Doctrines" - J.N.D. Kelly
"The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation" - Justo L. González
"The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine; Volume 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition" - Jaroslav Pelikan
"History of Eastern Christianity" - Aziz S. Atiya
"Byzantium" - Cyril Mango
"Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization" - Lars Brownworth
"A Short History of Byzantium" - John Julius Norwich
"St. Cyril of Alexandria: The Christological Controversy : Its History, Theology, and Texts" - John McGuckin

Suggested Primary Sources:
"The Confessions" - St. Augustine of Hippo
"Twelve Anathemas" - St. Cyril of Alexandria
"Letters to Nestorius" - St. Cyril of Alexandria
"The City of God" - St. Augustine of Hippo
"Confession" - St. Patrick of Ireland

Category:

Education

Tags:

• christian
• church
• history
• saint
• patrick
• ireland
• nestorius
• nestorian
• assyrian
• orthodox
• oriental
• eastern
• byzantine
• augustine
• hippo
• blessed
• cyril
• alexandria
• cyrillian
• monophysite
• dyophysite
• roman
• frankish
• franks
• baptism
• historical
• christology
• jesus
• two
• one
• natures
• divine
• human

[mitomke]

is it not obvious that nestorius was correct? How could Mary be the mother of God, the creator. It is a ridiculous idea to call mary the mother of God. That is why I am no longer a catholic. protestants are right in saying that mary is the mother of jesus not God. the catholic church is responsible for all sorts of dogma that has nothing to do with the scriptures Jesus read from. Such as original sin, the immaculate conception and transubstantiation, these doctrines are pagan beliefs.

[davidpwithun]

@mitomke A few points here: 1. While I don't believe in original sin, the immaculate conception, or transubstantiation, these beliefs are not of pagan origin. Let's at least be honest here and refrain from slander and lies. 2. Most Protestants call Mary "Mother of God." It is a relatively small minority who do not. 3. It is actually rather obvious that Nestorius was wrong. Mary is Jesus's mother. Jesus is God. Mary must be the Mother of God. Anything else compromises his divinity.

[mitomke]

@davidpwithun If Mary is the mother of God then she existed before God which mean she is the Queen of Heaven and created the Universe. Yeshua was filled with the Spirit of God so he had the power of God through his father. But he was not God himself as he stated many times, he had no authority but what was given him by the father God. Yeshua died to save his friends and his faith but he was raised by the Father. If Yeshua is the Word he is not God but the breath of God not the same thing.

[davidpwithun]

@mitomke I don't see any point in discussing this with you further as you are not even a Christian. The Scriptures and the history of the Church are both univocal in their proclamation that Jesus is God. ALL Christians -- whether Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant -- believe that Jesus is God. Even Nestorius believed that Jesus is God. You don't seem to understand that, the Trinity, or what is meant by the term "Theotokos." I suggest you do some study before you continue to speak like this.

[mitomke]

@davidpwithun what you believe in is BS fed by you by "theologians". there is no mention of the Trinity in scriptures. It is made up by theologian anti Christs as Yeshua said would come after him. What you need to do is follow the 2 commandments of Yeshua. It is very simple and does not take any extra dogma. Theotokos is BS like all the other antichrist dogma.

[davidpwithun]

@mitomke I don't put up with disrespect, insults, and vulgar language. Your comments here have done a wonderful job of showing how far you are from our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Any further such comments from you will be deleted and you will be banned from my videos. I pray that you will do the research, pray, and finally come to a knowledge of the truth. Until then, thanks for your interest and good bye.

[ultimouomo11]

Clement of Alexandria A.D. 20], Tertullian A.D. 220 , Clement A.D. 221, Origen A.D. 248. Cyprian of Carthage A.D. 251, Cyril of Jerusalem A.D. 350, Ephraim the Syrian A.D. 351, Ambrose of Milan A.D. 379, Jerome A.D. 396, Augustine A.D. 411, Iraneus A.D. 189, Eusebius of Caesarea A.D. 312, Peter Chrysologus Council of Ephesus A.D. 431., Council of Chalcedon...all confirm and testify to the primacy of Peter and the Bishop of Rome as head of the Church.

[HailMaryAdvent]

Our friend here has already (or will soon) discover the truth. All of those who separated themselves from the Church (schisms) are now showing signs of dying just like branches cut off from the living vine (Christ). Modern schismatics have little in common with their own historical beliefs- embracing things no Christian of any name would accept 100 years ago (homosexuality, birth control, abortion, etc,). Christians are realizing this and heading home to Rome. I am blessed to be one of them.

[HailMaryAdvent]

mismindles: After reading davidpwithun's responses on this page, I'd wager he is preparing a new video entitled "Crossing the Tiber" (i.e. joining the Catholic Church). As GK Chesterton once said (paraphrase): Once you stop fighting the Church and begin defending Her, you soon find yourself loving Her. Christ Himself instituted the Church, The gates of Hell are being broken down.

[mismindles]

Where is part 7 and higher. I watched till this point and don't see any videos after this. I see you have a ton of videos, but I would like to know what is next in the series.

[yadsik]

Quite happy you praised the Celtic church so much, my ancestor, Niall Noígíallach, is often attributed as his kidnapper, unknowingly bringing Christianity to Ireland.

[pandirasbox]

Christotokos is also incorrect though.

[pandirasbox]

That's too bad the laity rallied against him because Nestorius was correct. All believers are theotokos according to our buddy Ignatius. :P Mary is the mother of Jesus, not of Christ.

[JohnTheHutDweller]

fantastic video

[vasilyjc1955]

@ultimouomo11 The Orthodox do not deny that Peter or Rome hold no primacy. What the Orthodox disagree on is papal universal authority and infallibility.