Challenges and Evolution of the Church Through History

The Church's New Situation and Challenges

The evolving landscape presents new challenges to the Church. The convergence of power and political agendas with civil religion risks contaminating its integrity, compromising freedom, and diluting gospel ideals.

Key Church Councils

• Council of Nicaea (325): Condemned Arius' doctrine, affirming Jesus Christ's divinity and equality with the Father.
• Council of Ephesus (431): Addressed Nestorius's teachings, which questioned Christ's divine nature.
• Council of Chalcedon (451): Condemned Eutyches' theory, which asserted the dominance of Christ's divine nature over his human nature.

Influential Church Fathers

The Church Fathers profoundly shaped Christian doctrine and spirituality. They often criticized civil authority's interference in Church affairs, championed the Church's independence from the emperor, and advocated for the needy.

Eastern Church Fathers:

• St. Athanasius
• St. Basil

Western Church Fathers:

• St. Jerome
• St. Augustine

The Church's Transformation Through Time

• Early Church: Characterized by monasteries led by bishops, deacons, and presbyters. The bishop was elected by the people.
• Fourth Century Church: Secular powers exerted significant influence. Church leaders were accorded political honors, aligning the Church with governmental structures and conferring religious value upon them.
• Church under Charlemagne (Ninth Century): Power was divided between the Pope and secular rulers, with bishops often appointed by the emperor.
• Church with Gregory VII (Eleventh Century): Efforts were made to liberate the Church, resulting in the concentration of power in the Pope and a centralized, hierarchical structure that persisted until the twentieth century.
• Church after Vatican II (Twentieth Century): Decentralization of Church governance. The council proclaimed the independence of the Church from the political community.

How the Church Serves

1. Monks dedicate themselves to preaching the word and embodying the Kingdom of God.
2. Religious orders and lay people engage in service to society.