MYKA B. TRESICO BSMA 2-A
MODULE 1: THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH
This module will tackle the contributions made by Saint Augustine to showcase the
historical development of the church as an institution that goes through a series of evolutions as
time passes. The first thing that happens in the series of the evolution of the church is the
aftermath of the ascension of Jesus to heaven, Pentecost. The descent of the Holy Spirit to the
apostles and the birthday of the church are celebrated on this occasion. The early Christians lived
in unity and charity and put everything in common. They were able to win converts by
proclaiming the Resurrection of Jesus—the Risen and the Glorified Jesus. The second
development is the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire, which started in the 1st
century AD and continued until 313 AD. Historians estimated that there were hundreds of early
Christians who died during this period. They were thrown to the lions to be eaten alive, made
gladiators to fight, burned alive, and subjected to other forms of brutal punishment. These were
the punishments being imposed on people who committed such crimes. There are several
emperors who are hostile toward Christians. This event does not stop Christians from gaining
more allies and converting people; thus, the empires fail to eradicate Christianity.
Councils have been established to help develop and pave the way for people’s faith, and
because of this, there is an abundant amount of data on faith in the church as of now. It was
called the four early church councils, namely, the Council of Nicaea, the Council of
Constantinople, the Council of Ephesus, and lastly, the Council of Chalcedon. During
Augustine’s journey, he was able to experience the moments when the official religion of the
Roman Empire became Christianity. During the Medieval Ages, most of Europe underwent
Christianization. Monasteries provided agricultural work for the people. Emperors and kings
would be anointed by the Pope or bishops. Practically the whole continent of Europe was owned
by the church during this period. The medieval period was the heyday of monasticism, and
during this period, the church was able to establish a hierarchy in which the pope is the head of
the church, followed by cardinals, bishops or archbishops, priests, and last in line, the monastic
orders.
The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th-century European movement aimed at
reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were
supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the
expense of the church. Martin Luther exposed it with his 95 revolutionary opinions (1517),
which started the so-called Protestant movement. Grave abuses made by clergy made the people
heavily criticize the Catholic Church. Corruption has slowly planted its roots in some clergy and
religious, and poor people suffer the most. This has made the people start taking action. While
the Great Schism of 1054 between the Western Church (Rome) and the Eastern Church
(Constantinople/Byzantine) came about due to a complex mix of religious and political conflicts,
The Pope of Rome and the Bishop of Constantinople issued a series of excommunications
against one another. The three causes of the great schism in Christianity are the power struggle
between bishops, differences and disunity in the church, geography and culture, theology and
eschatology, and lastly, the jurisdiction of bishops.
MYKA B. TRESICO BSMA 2-A
The Counter-Reformation was a period of Catholic resurgence that was initiated in
response to the Protestant Reformation. It began with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and
largely ended with the conclusion of the European wars of religion in 1648. The Enlightenment
was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th
centuries. This is composed of documents of apology and ecclesiastical configuration as decreed
by the Council of Trent. Such reforms included the foundation of seminaries for the proper
training of priests and laypeople for the ministry. In the modern period, man's powers are
highlighted, and there aren't any that no longer represent God. This was largely influenced by the
concepts of only humanism, the Enlightenment, and other atheistic philosophical ideas. The
council is seen as having essentially shaped the Catholic Church of today. With the Second
Vatican Council, everything changed. There is no disputing that the Catholic faith remained the
same as it always was. The Catholic Church let the light in via the modernization of the liturgy,
increased participation of laypeople, the introduction of the concept of religious liberty,
ecumenism, and communication with various religions and other branches of the Christian faith.
St. Augustine’s journey was a long road to walk, and while he continues to pursue his
interest in religion and God, he was given titles by the church, and his contributions were also
listed in the church. There are two titles given to him: Father of the Church and Doctor of the
Church. His relevant teachings were also included, and that is about what the Catholic Church's
Catechism has to say about the genesis and development of the Church. Saint Augustine's
teachings provide a very comprehensive explanation of development. For him, we must first
make a distinction between the church as an institution and the church as a spiritual reality. The
most fundamental message of the Rule is this: love—love of God and love of neighbor—is at the
center of the Christian life. The Rule of Augustine is actually one of the earliest monastery
statutes in the history of the Church. As Bishop of Hippo, Saint Augustine upheld the authority
of the Bishop of Rome, and the Nicene Creed railed against heresies and false doctrines during
that time.