Development and Expansion (Junior Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
Development and Expansion
Understanding development and expansion
Christianity has experienced significant growth and change throughout history. Development refers to how religious communities evolve and transform over time, while expansion describes how faith spreads geographically and increases in followers.
Note
Understanding these two concepts is essential for studying how Christianity became one of the world's largest religions. Development focuses on internal changes and evolution of beliefs and practices, while expansion examines the geographical and numerical growth of the faith.
Early foundations and growth
Death and resurrection of Jesus
Following Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, his followers continued spreading his teachings. This led to Pentecost, a celebration marking when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples fifty days after Easter Sunday. Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday and represents the birth of the Christian Church.
During the first century CE, Christianity began expanding rapidly. Early Christian communities formed and became well-established, with this initial period of growth lasting over a thousand years. The message spread from small groups of disciples to communities across the known world.
Important
Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian Church and is considered the starting point for Christianity's expansion across the ancient world. This event transformed Jesus's followers from a small group into active missionaries.
Major historical divisions
The Great Schism (1054 CE)
Christianity faced its first major split during the 4th and 5th centuries CE, but the most significant division occurred in 1054 CE. The Great Schism permanently divided Christianity into two main branches:
- Orthodox Christianity (Eastern Church) - centred in Greece and using Greek traditions
- Catholic Christianity (Western Church) - centred in Rome and using Latin traditions
This division resulted from several factors, including disagreements over papal authority, the use of religious images, and various cultural and social issues. The split fundamentally changed Christianity's structure and influence across different regions of Europe and beyond.
Important
The Great Schism was not just a religious division—it also reflected deeper cultural, political, and linguistic differences between the Eastern and Western parts of the former Roman Empire. This split created two distinct Christian traditions that continue to this day.
The Reformation (16th century)
Five hundred years after the Great Schism, Christianity divided again. The Reformation began in 16th century Germany as a reaction against corruption within the Catholic Church. This movement, while intended to reform the Catholic Church, ultimately led to the creation of Protestant churches.
Catholic Church abuses
Note
Understanding Church Corruption
Several problematic practices had developed within the Catholic Church by the 16th century:
- Nepotism - appointing family members and friends to Church positions
- Simony - accepting bribes for higher Church positions
- Pluralism - Church leaders controlling multiple dioceses simultaneously
- Absenteeism - Church leaders not being physically present in their assigned parishes
These practices undermined the Church's credibility and led to widespread criticism from reformers.
Martin Luther's protest
Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, particularly objected to the sale of indulgences. These were payments made to the Church in exchange for forgiveness of sins or reduction of punishment after death. Luther argued this practice had no biblical foundation and exploited poor people who couldn't afford such payments.
Example
Luther's Revolutionary Act: The 95 Theses
In 1517, Luther wrote his famous 95 Theses, challenging Church practices and asserting that the Bible should be the primary religious authority. He believed people could achieve salvation through faith alone, not through purchasing indulgences or performing specific deeds.
Key Steps in Luther's Protest:
- October 31st, 1517 - Luther posted his theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany
- Rapid Spread - Thanks to the recently invented printing press, his ideas spread quickly across Europe
- Church Response - The Catholic Church declared Luther a heretic and excommunicated him in 1521
- New Church Formation - Luther established the Lutheran Church in Germany
This event marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation and fundamentally changed Christianity.
English Reformation
King Henry VIII and the Church of England
In 1534, King Henry VIII established the Church of England after the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry rejected papal authority and declared himself head of the English Church.
As the British Empire expanded globally, the Church of England spread to other parts of the world. The Churches of India and Ireland both developed from this English foundation. These churches, along with others, form the Anglican Communion, with the Archbishop of Canterbury serving as their spiritual leader.
Note
Unlike the Lutheran Reformation which was primarily theological, Henry VIII's break with Rome was initially motivated by personal and political reasons rather than doctrinal disagreements. However, it still resulted in significant religious changes in England and its colonies.
Christianity today
Church structure and governance
The Church of Ireland exemplifies modern Anglican organisation. It operates as part of the Anglican Communion with two provinces - Armagh and Dublin - further divided into twelve dioceses. Each year, the Church holds a Synod, where bishops and Church officials gather to make decisions about liturgy and Church teaching.
Denominations
Modern Christianity includes numerous denominations - recognised branches with slightly different organisation, practices, and beliefs while sharing the same core faith. Examples include the Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, and Church of Ireland, each representing distinct traditions within Christianity.
Contemporary challenges
Christianity continues to face challenges worldwide. Persecution remains a significant issue, particularly in countries like China, where the Communist government has implemented strict religious regulations.
Important
Modern Religious Persecution in China
Recent restrictions in China demonstrate ongoing challenges facing Christianity:
- Churches must register officially with the state (2018)
- Bibles are no longer sold publicly (2018)
- Over 1,500 crosses were removed from churches in one province (2014-2016)
- Increased pressure on public displays of religious faith
These restrictions show how political systems can still significantly impact religious practice in the modern world.
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Pentecost marked the beginning of the Christian Church and its expansion lasted over 1,000 years
- The Great Schism (1054 CE) split Christianity into Orthodox (East) and Catholic (West) churches due to leadership and cultural disagreements
- The Reformation began with Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) protesting Catholic Church abuses, leading to Protestant churches
- King Henry VIII created the Church of England (1534) after breaking with Rome, which later spread through the British Empire
- Christianity today includes many denominations and continues facing challenges like persecution in various countries