Significant People and Schools of Thought (HSC SSCE Studies of Religion): Revision Notes

Significant People and Schools of Thought

Introduction

The study of significant people and schools of thought in Christianity examines how individual figures and movements have shaped the development and spread of Christian faith. These figures contributed to Christianity's growth through their teachings, reforms, and actions. Understanding their impact requires examining both their contributions and the varying perspectives surrounding their work.

Paul of Tarsus (circa 10 BCE–65 CE)

Background and early life

Paul stands as one of the most influential figures in Christianity after Jesus himself. Born in Tarsus, Asia Minor (modern-day south-eastern Turkey) around 10 BCE, Paul was a Jewish man who spoke Greek and inherited Roman citizenship. This unique combination of cultural backgrounds enabled him to bridge Jewish religious ideas with the broader Gentile (non-Jewish) world.

Originally known as Saul, Paul was a Pharisee and dedicated scholar of Judaism. His knowledge of Jewish law shaped his worldview, as he held firmly to Jewish traditions and saw himself as "a light to those in darkness" (Romans 2:17-20). His enthusiasm for his faith was evident throughout his life, though it initially manifested as fierce opposition to the emerging Christian movement.

The Damascus conversion

Paul first appears in Christian scripture as a persecutor of early Christians. He stood by as Stephen, an early Christian leader, was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Paul then actively participated in the persecution of Christians, seeking authority from the Jewish high priest to travel to Damascus and arrest Christians worshipping in synagogues there.

In Damascus, a Christian named Ananias, following instructions from Jesus in a vision, laid hands on Paul, healed his sight, and infused him with the Holy Spirit. Paul was baptized, regained his sight, and immediately began working for the Christian cause. From this moment, Saul became known as Paul.

The phrase "on the road to Damascus" or "Damascene experience" has entered common English usage to describe any dramatic 180-degree change of heart or perspective. However, modern scholars prefer the term "call" rather than "conversion" when describing Paul's experience, as the concept of conversion between fixed religious systems did not exist in Paul's time as it does today.

Missionary work and travels

Following his Damascus experience, Paul spent several years in Arabia, likely developing his understanding of Christian theology and message. After approximately ten years of study and preparation, Paul embarked on systematic missionary journeys that would transform Christianity from a Jewish sect into an international movement.

During his travels, Paul established Christian communities across the Roman Empire. He spent many years imprisoned for "disturbing the peace" but used even this time productively, writing letters to the communities he had founded. As a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar for a hearing and travelled to Rome, where he was imprisoned again. Tradition holds that Paul was eventually martyred by Emperor Nero around 64 CE.

Contribution to Christianity

Paul's most significant contribution was transforming Christianity from a Jewish movement into a universal faith accessible to all people. Before Paul's influence, early Christians lived as Jewish people, worshipping in synagogues, maintaining Jewish purity rituals, and following the Law of Moses. These practices meant they could not easily include non-Jewish people in their communities.

Through his letters (Epistles), Paul encouraged Christians to move beyond Jewish customs and become welcoming to non-Jewish people. He explained that following Jesus was now more important than following Jewish law and customs. Paul called himself an "apostle to the Gentiles" (Galatians 2:8) and developed a Christian theology focused on individual belief and ethical behaviour rather than adherence to Jewish ritual law.

Paul created a religious tradition where both dissenting Jewish people and converted pagans could worship together. By expressing Christian ideas through Greek philosophical concepts, Paul made Christianity accessible to the diverse populations of the Roman Empire. However, recent biblical scholarship emphasizes that Judaism was already heavily influenced by Greek ideas (as seen in the writings of Philo of Alexandria and Josephus), and the sharp distinction between "Hellenistic Christianity" and emerging Judaism may be overstated.

Impact on Christianity

Paul hellenised Christianity, giving it the broad international appeal it maintains today. He was largely responsible for Christianity becoming a world religion by encouraging the acceptance of Gentiles, though recent scholarship suggests the complete separation between Judaism and Christianity took several more centuries to fully develop.

Paul is also responsible for developing Christian theology and beliefs in forms that continue to influence modern Christianity. His acceptance of Greek thought and philosophy, integrated with Jewish beliefs, foreshadows contemporary Christian theology. Some scholars suggest Paul foreshadowed what would become Protestant Christianity, emphasizing faith over ritual.

Paul's letters

Paul wrote numerous letters (Epistles) to early Christian communities, many of which are preserved in the New Testament. These letters are earlier than the Gospels of Luke and John, and probably contemporary with or earlier than the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, making them some of our earliest Christian documents.

The authenticity of various letters attributed to Paul remains debated among scholars. Letters generally accepted as genuinely Pauline include Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, First Thessalonians, and Philemon. Other letters (Ephesians, Colossians, Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews) have disputed authorship.

When conflicts arise between details in Paul's letters and the Book of Acts, theologians typically rely on the Epistles as older and more authentic documents.

Pope St John XXIII (1881–1963 CE)

Early life and priesthood

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who would become Pope St John XXIII, was born in 1881 in Sotto il Monte, a small village in northern Italy near Bergamo. His humble origins shaped his lifelong character—his father was a peasant farmer, and he was one of 14 children. He left home at age 11 to prepare for the priesthood, maintaining close family ties throughout his life.

Roncalli proved to be an adequate but not exceptional student. His performance was sufficient to earn him placement in Rome for theological studies in 1900 at the Seminario Romano. However, his education was interrupted after just one year when he was drafted for military service with an infantry company stationed near Bergamo.

Diplomatic service

During World War I, Roncalli returned to military service, first as a hospital orderly in Bergamo and later as a military chaplain with the rank of lieutenant. Following the war, he was appointed director of foreign missions, gaining recognition throughout the Catholic Church.

Roncalli's diplomatic career began in 1925 when he became papal nuncio (similar to an ambassador) to Bulgaria, where the Orthodox Church dominated. He subsequently held positions in Greece (also Orthodox) and Turkey (a Muslim nation), gaining valuable experience with non-Catholic religious traditions. These experiences broadened his perspective on interfaith relations and ecumenism.

Election as pope

The success of Roncalli's diplomatic efforts was recognized in 1953 when he was elevated to cardinal. In 1957, he became Patriarch of Venice. Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, the 76-year-old Roncalli was elected Pope on the 12th ballot, taking the name John XXIII. Recognized for his kindness, energy, ability, and wit, he was initially seen as a compromise candidate who would serve as a caretaker pope until a younger man could be elected. However, Pope St John XXIII would defy these expectations and transform the Catholic Church.

The church in crisis

At the time of Pope St John XXIII's election, the Catholic Church faced significant challenges. It had become entrenched in conservative theological positions and practices. The Council of Trent (1545-1563), convened to counter the Reformation, still heavily influenced Catholic teaching in the mid-twentieth century. The Church had been slow to embrace new ideas—all priests took a vow against modernism, and the liturgy was conducted exclusively in Latin worldwide.

Although Pope Pius XII had called for research into new biblical study methods in 1943, little freedom had been granted to Catholic scholars. The Church needed reform and renewal to remain relevant in the modern world.

The Second Vatican Council

In 1962, Pope St John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council, which continued until 1965. This became one of the most significant councils in Catholic Church history, with influence extending across all Christian denominations, including Protestantism. The Council marked the beginning of genuine change within Catholicism.

Pope St John XXIII opened the Council with a significant address expressing his expectation that it would renew the Church and advance understanding of Catholic teaching and conscience. Liberals within the Church believed they had received permission to bring about renewal. Though Pope St John XXIII died on 3 June 1963 during the Council's proceedings, his influence continued.

Additional contributions

Beyond the Council, Pope St John XXIII pursued reform through various actions:

• Urging reconciliation in world political crises, including tensions in Berlin and Cuba
• Admitting many Catholics from developing nations to the ranks of bishops and cardinals
• Seeking closer ties with the Orthodox Church
• Sending representatives to the World Council of Churches
• Establishing the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity
• Creating a commission to revise canon law
• Promoting aggiornamento (bringing the Church up to date)

Impact and legacy

Pope St John XXIII was primarily a reconciler. His warm personality transcended differences and difficulties. He reached out to the poor and imprisoned, and warmly greeted world leaders and public figures. He became a beloved figure seen as a very human pope.

Pope St John XXIII was largely responsible for the climate of change within the Roman Catholic Church through his own ideas, personal example, and the calling of the Second Vatican Council. The publication of his personal journal after his death, Journey of a Soul, revealed a deep traditional piety. This journal, combined with his reforms and personality, ensured that Pope St John XXIII became a loved and respected figure among Catholic and non-Catholic Christians worldwide.

Pope St John XXIII's influence extended beyond the Roman Catholic Church. He is recognized as a renewer of Christianity by Anglican and Lutheran churches. He brought not only significant change to Catholicism but to Christianity as a whole, creating opportunities for greater relevance to local communities, increased lay participation, and freedom of expression that had been denied for centuries. Over time, his influence on Christianity outside the Catholic Church may have been as great as the transformation he brought to his own Church.

Other significant people and schools of thought

The syllabus allows for study of other significant figures and movements in Christianity, including:

People:

• St Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179): German mystic, abbess, visionary, author, songwriter, and medieval church apologist
• Martin Luther (1483–1546): German monk who questioned Catholic Church practices, wrote the 95 Theses, and inspired the Reformation
• Catherine Booth (1829–1890): Cofounder of the Salvation Army with her husband William; early feminist and noted preacher
• Billy Graham (1918–2018): American evangelist who conducted large crusades in the mid-twentieth century; adviser to US presidents
• Dennis Bennett (1917–1991): US Episcopalian priest and author; leader of the charismatic movement who influenced Pentecostalism
• Sarah Maitland (born 1950): British author and feminist with influence in feminist theology

Schools of thought:

• Liberation theology: Movement primarily in Latin America questioning power structures; emphasizes Jesus as revolutionary and identifies with the poor
• Feminist theology: Movement questioning patriarchal structures in Church and society; emphasizes feminine aspects of God and seeks greater roles for women

Remember!