June 2 - Whoosh!

June 2 – Whoosh!

Yesterday’s post was the last dedicated post to Christian History from me for awhile.  This has been a great deal of fun!  I’ve learned so much.

This fall I begin seminary at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  I can do the majority of the classes online, so will be hiding out at the cabin as much as possible while I study and learn, read and write. 

While I have enjoyed every moment of learning about church history and writing these daily blogs, I’m going to take the rest of the summer to do some other writing projects.  I will continue the Bible Study at Pour Out a Blessing … I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to give that up.

I am quite confident that at some point I will revisit this blog – there is still so much of Christian History that I need to learn and for me, the best way to learn is for me to teach and share.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

June 1 - Second Try

June 1 – Second Try

In 1962, the Catholic Church under John XXIII called an ecumenical Catholic council.  This was the 21st council that had occurred, the two prior had happened in 1545-1563 (Council of Trent – repudiated Protestantism, defined Scripture’s canon and seven sacraments) and in 1870 (First Council of the Vatican – pope’s infallibility, repudiated, atheism, materialism, rationalism, defined the relationship between faith and reason.)

John XXIII recognized the changing world and the fact that so far the Catholic response had been nil, it was time to bring the church into the modern world.  He intended to emphasize the care of the people within the church rather than politics.

In October of 1962, nearly 2000 church leaders – bishops, cardinals and abbots came to Rome, John XXIII told them it was time to actively care for its people, rather than pulling away from the troubles in the world or condemning them.

Many changes occurred during this period – from 1962-1965, though for the first time, the Pope didn’t dictate the reforms, he allowed the leadership to do their job. 

Until Vatican II, Latin was the accepted language for mass, at this point the decision was made to celebrate the language of the mass in the native tongue of the people.  Both the clergy and laity were accepted as God’s people, sharing in ministerial duties.  The Council declared that the laity also had a Christian calling and were part of the work of the church.  The pope no longer alone had apostolic authority, it was extended to the entire body of bishops.

Scripture was set forth as the primary basis of God’s truth – not tradition.  All people were finally encouraged to study the Bible in order to find that truth.

Ecumenism was given a positive spin, allowing other denominations to be considered Christians and no longer required to come back to the church in order to be saved.

In the final session of the Council, the Vatican Council renounced power over the political arena.

The Catholic Church had taken more than two years to prepare for the opening of the Vatican Council and throughout the next four years as the leaders came together, they did so knowing that to propel the Church forward under God’s hand they had a great responsibility.