Church History: The Big Split of 1054

These centuries-long struggles of church/state matters eventually led to the “gradual separation between East (now Eastern Orthodox Church) and West (now Roman Catholic Church). If we’ve learned anything it should be that in the long run, it is not beneficial for the church to become embroiled in endless infighting as it truly diminishes her role as a witness of Christ. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians and the church at large “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers” (1 Thess. 2:10). This call is still relevant for the church today. How can we seriously win others to Christ, when the Church of Christ is embroiled in such unflattering in-fighting? To what benefit is seeking supremacy over each other?

By 1054 the influence of the Church was declining. It was deeply tied to the state, opening the door to “dignitaries who were exalted to high ecclesiastical positions who sometimes acted like devils; whose behavior was replicated by the common believers” (Noll, 117). This approach was unbiblical, and we ought not practice. “At the heart of the church-state relationship was harmonious cooperation” (Noll, 117), but the long-term results yielded much harm. The church should work very closely with the state, ensuring a voice on policy matters, especially matters of morality, but we should not be so closely intertwined that we (the church) can no longer be a true reflection of Christ.

References:

Noll, Mark. “Turning Points”. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group (2012)

Lane, Tony. “A Concise History of Christian Thought”. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group (2006).

Nichols, Steven . Ligonier Ministries. “The Great Schism of 1054”. Accessed April 12, 2018.  https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/great-schism/

Lumen Learning. “The Great Schism of 1054”. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/the-great-schism-of-1054/

Written by Pastor Kevin A. Hall  April 12, 2018

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