A History of Christianity
Mike Ervin
History of Christianity 1000 – 2000AD
The history of religion
and spirituality from 1000 to 2000 AD is marked by significant shifts,
including the formal division of Christianity, the rise of new religious
traditions, and the challenges posed by science and secularism
. A dominant theme is
the ongoing tension between established religious authority and calls for
reform, mystical experience, or rational thought.
Here is an overview of
the key developments during this period.
11th–15th centuries: The
Late Middle Ages
- The Great Schism (1054): The
official split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches,
driven by disagreements over papal authority and other theological issues,
formalized a division that had been growing for centuries.
- The Crusades (1095–1291): A
series of military campaigns by European Christians aimed at reclaiming
the Holy Land from Muslim rule. While largely unsuccessful in their
military goals, the Crusades profoundly shaped the relationship between
Christianity and Islam and increased the Catholic Church's wealth and
power.
- Scholasticism and theology: The
work of theologians like Thomas Aquinas blended Christian teachings with
classical philosophy. This intellectual movement helped structure medieval
education and theology but also led to criticisms that the church had
become too reliant on logic rather than spiritual experience.
- The rise of Sufism and mysticism: In
the Islamic world, Sufism flourished as a mystical tradition focused on
direct, personal communion with God. This spiritual movement contrasted
with the more legalistic and institutional aspects of Islam.
- Growth of Hinduism: The
Delhi Sultanate, established in the 13th century, fostered a complex
relationship between Islam and Hinduism in the Indian subcontinent.
Mystical movements, like the Bhakti movement, gained followers,
emphasizing a personal, devotional relationship with God.
16th–18th centuries: The
Reformation and Enlightenment
- The Protestant Reformation (1517
onwards):The greatest religious upheaval in Europe, the Reformation
challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Led by figures like
Martin Luther, reformers emphasized a personal relationship with
scripture, leading to the creation of various new Protestant denominations.
- The Catholic Counter-Reformation: In
response to the Protestant challenge, the Catholic Church underwent
internal reforms. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) reaffirmed core
Catholic doctrines, sought to end corruption, and began a renewed focus on
missionary work.
- The Enlightenment: A period
of dramatic intellectual and philosophical change, the Enlightenment
challenged traditional religious authority with reason and science.
Thinkers questioned established dogma and promoted secular ideas, leading
to a gradual decline in the Church's political power and increased
religious skepticism.
- Growth through exploration and
conquest:European colonialism spread Christianity to the Americas, Africa,
and Asia, often intertwined with military conquest. This was paralleled by
the destruction or suppression of indigenous spiritual traditions.
19th–20th centuries:
Modernization and globalization
- Rise of Spiritualism (1840s
onwards): A movement focused on communicating with the spirits of the
dead, Spiritualism arose partly as a reaction to the rationalism of the
Enlightenment. It attracted many, including Arthur Conan Doyle, as it
offered "scientific" proof of the afterlife and the soul.
- Growth of new religious
movements: The 19th and 20th centuries saw the emergence of numerous
new faiths, including Mormonism, the Baháʼí Faith, and Scientology. These
movements offered alternative spiritual paths outside traditional
religious structures.
- Secularization and pluralism: In
industrialized countries, secularism and atheism grew in influence.
Society became more religiously diverse, with people often switching
faiths or becoming unaffiliated. This led to a more pluralistic religious
landscape in many parts of the world.
- Vatican II (1962–1965): In a
significant moment for the Catholic Church, the Second Vatican Council
sought to modernize the church. It changed the Mass from Latin to local
languages, encouraged the study of scripture by the laity, and opened
dialogue with other faiths.
- Global shift of Christianity: While
Christianity declined in Europe, it experienced explosive growth in
Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. This demographic shift made
Christianity a truly global religion, with its demographic center moving
to the Global South.
- Religious resurgence in
post-communist countries: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union
in 1991, formerly state-repressed religions, particularly the Russian
Orthodox Church, experienced a resurgence.
A History of Christianity
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