Church History: The Big Split of 1054

There is much we can learn from the Great Schism of 1054. “The church was split along doctrinal, theological, linguistic, political and geographical lines” ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­(Lumen). The Roman empire was in decline; there were invasions by the barbarians, from Islam, and the Scandinavians. By 410, Rome was conquered, and its emperor was deposed. The period resulting was characterized by Tony Lane (88) as “a period of turmoil and anarchy, with the near collapse of civilization”. By 800, Charlemagne (King of the Franks) was declared the new Roman emperor. This move was strategic for the Christian church. As with all events, there are opportunities and challenges, depending on whether you see the glass as half empty or half full.