Module 11: Eastern Orthodoxy
Hi everyone, and welcome to the eleventh module of the History of Christianity 1 Course. In this section, we'll be looking at a large segment of the universal church. We'll study the history and characteristics of the Eastern Orthodox churches.
This module will help you to understand the character of this part of Christ's church. You will be exposed to the history of this large group of churches, and how they are different from other categories of historical churches. You will learn about some of the major doctrines and practices which set Eastern Orthodoxy off from different kinds of churches, and the historical trends which caused their split from the churches in western Europe. You will be given opportunity to think about the variety of commonalities and distinctions between eastern and western churches, and their strengths and weaknesses. And the student will be given opportunity to process how these lessons can be applied to current situations, by learning a variety of possible approaches and expressions of Christ's church.
The student will have opportunity to evaluate the longer-term effects of these movements, approaches, and practices, and the lessons that can be learned from Eastern Orthodoxy. This module will also aid the student to work through how the lessons learned are applicable in their own life and ministry.
Introductory Scenario
Imagine that you are a part of a church in a bilingual, multi-ethnic neighborhood. The leadership desires to reach all the people of the neighborhood, but are debating how best to do it. What are the barriers to reaching and discipling all the groups at once? What are the barriers to unity within the church? What is the best way to reach them and also have unity? How can that unity be protected and valued? How can the obvious differences between the different groups be acknowledged and navigated to the best strategic advantage of all groups. Please consider these questions and be watching for material that will help you answer them as you work through this module.
Module Objectives and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:
- Describe the history of the church in the eastern Roman empire, and in the lands to the east and south.
- Evaluate the Iconoclast controversy, articulating the arguments for both sides and giving the Biblical and theological evaluation.
- Understand and articulate the reasons behind
The Great Schism
and the consequences that happened as a result. - Describe the characteristics of Eastern Orthodox Christianity after the Great Schism, concentrating on their doctrines, organization, and liturgy.
- Place the major events of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in a general chronology.
Instruction Guides
In this section, you'll find links to important instructional documents for this module. Click the following links to open each document. There is a set of instructions for individual study and a document for group study.
Textbook Content
In this section, you'll find a study guide for the textbook reading for module 11. And then you'll find the link to a practice quiz covering this textbook reading.
This section also contains a review quiz to test your understanding of the textbook material for this module. By clicking the banner below, you will be given a series of questions, in random order. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once.
Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the Submit
button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Lecture Content
In this section, you will find the video lectures for the Eastern Orthodoxy module. Click the banner to open access to the video. There are also links with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface or download just the audio to listen offline.
Reviews
In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 11. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the banner to open the slide show.
Click the prev.
and next
buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
This section contains questions for further thought and discussion from Module 11. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. Below, you will find links to the Response and Application Reflection Instructions for Individuals, and the Response and Application Discussion Instructions for Groups. And you will find a link to the detailed question document for this module. Or Click the banner below to view the questions in a simplified format.
The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:
- What positive things about Eastern Orthodoxy should you imitate? Why? How?
- What negative things about Eastern Orthodoxy should you avoid? Why? How?
- What have you learned about unity? What difference does it make?
- What have you learned about liturgy? How does this apply?
- What have you learned from the iconoclast controversy? What difference does it make?
- What else did you learn? How does it apply?
(Optional) Timeline - Part 11
This section contains instructions for an optional Timeline activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.
Step Eleven of the Timeline should include the following information:
- Any significant events in the Eastern Orthodox churches, including its expansion to new areas.
- Any significant controversies and issues leading up to and resulting from the Great Schism.
- Any significant ideas, doctrines, practices, and writings from Eastern Orthodoxy.
Annotate any significant approaches, ideas, principles, practices, and doctrines from Eastern Orthodoxy, including the immediate and long-term impact on the larger church, the surrounding society, and how these are applicable in the current church and and Christian life.
(Optional) Principles Chart - Part 11
This section contains instructions for an optional Principles Chart activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.
Step Eleven of the Principles Chart will add any important principles noted from the history, doctrines, and practices of Eastern Orthodoxy, and how these principles can be applied.
It is suggested that the student begin this activity before watching the Guiding Principles
portion of the lecture. Then the student may supplement their work after learning additional insights from the Guiding Principles.
(Optional) Term Project - Organization
The student will continue researching about their chosen topic for their term project. The student should seek to follow where their research leads, and fill any gaps in their knowledge. The student should also continue organizing all that they are learning into a logical and coherent structure, based on the information they have researches, which will serve as the organization for their term project presentation.
Below is a link to detailed instructions for the entire project.
Primary Source Reading
This section contains instructions and resources for the Primary Source Reading activity. The student should read a minimum of 10-20 pages from a primary resource or resources discussed in this module's lecture and write or discuss a brief response to their reading. Below is a link to detailed instructions for the Primary Source Reading, which contain a list of recommended resources, by module. And click the banner below to access a list of recommended resources with links to where they may be found.
The following is a list of the recommended primary sources for this module. This list contains links to the resources in print and/or online format. These links may change, so feel free to search for other sources for these same titles. In addition, please do not feel you are limited only to this list. Feel free to choose from any primary source from the period and topic covered in this module:
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The Fount of Knowledge,Print ISBN: 978-0813209685Online: archive.org, or weebly.com
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On the Orthodox Faith,Print ISBN: 978-0813209685, 978-0881416947, or 978-1960069177Online: NewAdvent.org, ccel.org, or orthodox.net
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On Heresies,Print ISBN: 978-0813209685Online: archive.org, or catholiclibrary.org
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Three Treatises on the Divine Images,Print ISBN: 978-0881412451Online: ccel.org
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The Homilies of Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople,Print ISBN: 978-1532641381Online: archive.org
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The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great,Online: goarch.org
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The Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom,Online: goarch.org, or saintstephencalgary.ca
Review Quiz
This section is a link to a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 11. By clicking the banner, you will be taken to a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit
button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the banner to begin the quiz.
Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Module Completed!
Congratulations, you have reached the end of the eleventh module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.
I encourage you to continue on the next module as soon as is convenient. The button below will take you to Module 12.
