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Continuity of Christianity

Continuity of Christianity
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Book: The Goal

Topics: Christianity

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Anne Kellerman Mr. Barrios World History AP- 6hr March 28, 2013 As the saying goes, History repeats itself, which is true about the course of Christianity from 100 CE to 1750 CE. The constant splitting of the Eastern and Western Christian churches, the expanding of the Christian church, and the fight against Islam are all constants throughout the history of the Christian faith. However the Western Christian Church further splits into both Protestant and Catholic beliefs, conversions of the Christian Church around the world was for different reasons, and the number of converts fluctuates.From 100 CE to 1750 CE the Christian Church constantly repeats history, further transforming itself, into a powerful religion.

The split of the Eastern and Western Europe begins in Rome around 400 CE. Around 600 years later the Great Schism takes place, which permanently splits the Eastern and Western parts of Europe into Eastern Orthodox and the West to Roman Catholic. One of the final acts of the Great Schism is the fourth Crusade, which was an attack on the Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the Byzantine Empire, by the crusaders of the Roman Catholic Church.Even though there was a splitting between the two Churches, the goal of expansion remained a common thread in Christianity. The spreading of Christianity was so diverse.

Spanish and Portuguese spread to places like the Americas and Africa. Christianity also spread to places in Asia through the Silk Road and through the crusades. Although Christianity spread, the Islamic faith started to spread as well.

The fight to keep Christian land remained a constant issue throughout this time period.It begins with the Turkic invaders, bribing Christian to become Islam, or else they would have to pay the jizya. The next reoccurrence of the Islamic religion trying to take over is towards the end of the Byzantine Empire. The Europeans are given the role of Janissaries for the Ottoman Empire.

They go on mission trips to convert Ottomans to gain more converts in the area preventing the Islamic, from spreading. These common events in history repeat themselves drawing the basis for the further evolution for Christians.However, within the Christian church there are events that take place for various reasons and motives.

The first difference of the Christian church is the split of the Roman Catholic Church into Protestant and Catholic beliefs. Protestants belief is that the Bible is the sole authority unlike for the Catholics, which believe it is run by the Pope. Marriage is another factor in the role of the split. Roman Catholics believe that a priest is not to be married, whereas a Protestant preacher can be married at any time during his ministry.Although there are many differences between the two religions, the main point is that the Catholics believe in transubstantiation, or the full presence of God in the Eucharist.

The second difference within Christianity is the motives for conversions around the globe. For example the reason for Prince Vladimir of Kiev’s conversion to the Eastern Orthodox Church was because of the beautiful churches and the ability to drink alcohol. Moscow later becomes the head quarter of the Christian Church.The reason for the Kongo and Brazil becoming Christian was the forced act from the Portuguese, during their enslavement. Like the Portuguese the Spanish forcefully converted man people in South America, however they were not enslaved. In Europe Christianity was popular in times of distress and trouble. Lastly, the amount of converts fluctuated in different regions.

In Japan, 300,000 people converted to Christianity. On the other hand in in China, the Jesuit missionaries gained very few converts, because Buddhism was such a strong religion.Christianity is a very diverse religion with its many changes, throughout the course of history. The continuity of Christianity from 100 CE to 1750 CE, focused on the constant split of the Church, the global expansion ideas, and the fight against Islam. The contrasting ideas were based on the differences of the Protestant and the Catholic Church, the different motives for conversions, and the fluctuating of the number of converts in each region.

These events in history transformed the Christian Church into what it is in this present day.

Brandon Johnson
Author: Brandon Johnson
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