III
Throughout the century, the Church pursued
two forms of unity. The first was to
establish orthodoxy in the face
of widespread false beliefs and heresy.
Through councils, gathered for discussion and
debate, and by the creeds they drafted and
distributed, the churches reached a firm
consensus on the true faith, which remains
today the orthodox foundation of
what Christians must believe. In doing so,
Church leaders demonstrated their concern
for unity of faith throughout the Church.
The second effort, to make Rome the hub
of Christendom, was less a matter of
discussion and debate and more a case
of politics, as if the churches were
competing parties in a game of state.
What Biblical support was mustered for
this effort was convenient, merely. Rome
prevailed at last, though superficially.
Strong churches in Milan, Jerusalem,
Lyons, Constantinople, Antioch,
and Alexandria maintained a firm
hand locally, and set about to build
their own traditions, rites, and protocols.
Meanwhile, throughout the Roman world, disgust
with wealthy churches, internecine strife,
doctrinal nitpicking, and worldliness
of every sort drove many to forsake
the churches and retreat to deserts, there
to make a new start in new forms of faith
communities. First hermits, such as Paul
and Anthony, went out alone to seek
the Lord, Whom they no longer found within
the churches of the Empire. Many more
would follow them, and soon communities
of stern ascetics—soldiers of the Lord—
appeared; and these gave rise to what became
the monasteries of the early Church.
These “orders” or “foundations” were comprised
of men or women who, devoted to
the Lord, became a church unto themselves,
a closed “society”, a “desert” in
the midst of cities, and a place to serve
the Lord free from distracting worldly ways.
And free as well from any unity
with other Christians, save within their own
monastic order. At the same time, all
throughout the Christian world, the churches took
on forms and practices unique to their
own cultures and traditions. Holding fast
to orthodoxy, they were loosely linked
to Rome but kept strong ties with churches in
their own traditions only. Parochialism
had set in as the drift from unity
continued, compromising faith and life
and witness in the churches of the Lord.
The Church, while holding to its orthodox
beliefs, was drifting from true unity.
IV
Much that was good was realized throughout
the Church once Constantine declared the faith
legitimate. The Gospel spread to reach
all the frontiers of Roman rule. Great works
of doctrine, faith, and Christian life came from
the pens of careful, pious thinkers. Works
of art and songs for worship spread throughout
the Church. Great works of mercy—caring for
the poor, the sick, the wretched, and the all
alone—abounded. Heresies, those false
views of the faith that led so many down
a path of wrong belief, were all exposed,
repudiated, and dispensed with in
a peaceful manner, mostly. Since the days
of the apostles, the fourth century was
by far the greatest age of Christian faith
and Kingdom progress to that day, although
not everyone believed, and pagan ways
continued to be present everywhere.
Still, Rome had come to Jesus, and the fruit
of true faith flourished all throughout the realm.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that the drift
into a more materialistic faith—
more buildings and more outward splendor—and
the fraying of the Church’s unity
went virtually unrecognized. But this
is just the way absimilation works
to undermine the power of faith and lead
the Church to cultural captivity.
For reflection or discussion
- Do you think Christians today ever think about the unity of the Church? Explain
- What kinds of things today make people think that church may not be all that important?
Many of the churches in the fourth century would already have become unrecognizable by the standards of the New Testament. Nevertheless, they set a pattern for how we “do church” that continues to this day. For more insight to the theme of our series on Absimilation, order a copy of our book, The Church Captive from The Ailbe Bookstore, either in book form or as a free PDF for your e-reader. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. For the complete text of Absimilation either in a free PDF, go to The Ailbe Bookstore.
