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.

Individual Student Guide
Group Student Guide

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.

Textbook Reading List and Study Guide for Module 11

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.

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Gonzalez Textbook Quiz
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Textbook Review Quiz for Gonzalez chs. 27-28

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.


Leo's negotiating skills with the Germanic invaders contributed to his status as the "first pope" of Rome

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 283
The Germanic invasion was a one time event by a unified people

True

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 269-277

False

Correct
Which tradition won out in influence in the church in England?

Scotch-Irish

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 275-276

Jedi

Not even close!

Roman

Well Done

Gregory the Great was instrumental in spreading the influence of Benedict's rule

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 281
Drag each term to the proper definition
Vandals
Charles Martel
Gregory the Great
Charlemagne
Divine Office
Iona
Caliphs
Benedict of Nursia
Hagia Sophia

Most influential figure in western monasticism. Wrote the "Rule," in which he insisted that monks have obedience and stability, as well as do physical labor

Prime minister of the Franks, who stopped the Muslim invasion of Europe from Spain in the battle of Tours

Monastic community in Ireland that was influential in preserving learning and evangelizing Scotland

The monastic practice of regular hours of prayer and Bible study

French King who would be crowned emperor by the pope. Considered the greatest ruler of the Western Early Middle ages

Famous cathedral in Constantinople, rebuilt by Justinian and dedicated to Christ as "holy wisdom"

Germanic group that sacked Rome and conquered most of North Africa. Their Arian faith was disastrous for the churches of North Africa

Islamic political and religious leaders

Very influential pope who also acted as political leader of Rome. His influential writings unfortunately spread some superstition common to his age

The supremacy and authority of the Roman Bishop was agreed by all churches from the beginning

True

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 283

False

Well Done
Monasticism had no economic impact on Western Europe

True

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 280-281

False

Correct
Which is NOT a way in which western monasticism differed from Eastern?

It was more practical

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 277

It was seen as the way to totally serve God

Well Done

It was more communal

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 277

It had a good relationship with the church

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 277

Drag each term to its best definition
Vladimir of Kiev
John of Damascus
Coptic church
Iconodules
Filioque
Monothelitism
Iconoclasts
Cyril and Methodius
The Third Rome

Those who were in favor of using images as a part of worship

Title given to Moscow after the capture of Constantinople by the Muslims

View of Sergius of Constantinople, who taught that Christ had only one will. This view was condemned by the Sixth Ecumenical Council.

Missionaries to the Slavs, who devised a Slavic alphabet and translated the Bible into the Slavic language

Author of the "Exposition of the Orthodox Faith," who argued in favor of the use of images in worship

Group in the Byzantine empire that rejected the Council of Chalcedon and remained Monophysite. Became the largest group of Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia

The word that Western churches added to the Nicene creed to claim that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son

Grandson of Queen Olga, who sent for missionaries from Constantinople, and led his country into Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Those who were against using images as a part of worship

The Divine Office was one of the main reasons why scholarship and book copying was a significant part of monastic life

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 280

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.

Lecture Study Guide for Module 11
Blank Lecture Notes for Module 11
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11: Eastern Orthodoxy
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Watch on Rumble
Watch on YouTube
Download Audio

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.

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Review Slideshow
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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.

Instructions for Individuals
Instruction for Groups
Discussion/Reflection Questions for Module 11
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Discussion/Application Questions
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The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:

  1. What positive things about Eastern Orthodoxy should you imitate? Why? How?
  2. What negative things about Eastern Orthodoxy should you avoid? Why? How?
  3. What have you learned about unity? What difference does it make?
  4. What have you learned about liturgy? How does this apply?
  5. What have you learned from the iconoclast controversy? What difference does it make?
  6. 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.

Timeline Project Instructions

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.

Principles Chart Instructions

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.

Term Project Instructions

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.

Primary Source Reading Instructions
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Primary Sources
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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:

Links to Primary Sources

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.

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Quiz for Module 11
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Review Quiz for Module 11

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.


Which of these is NOT an argument used by the iconoclasts?

Icons are not necessary, it would be better to teach people to read

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Images are forbidden by the 2nd commandment

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Icons should be venerated, not worshipped

Well Done

Icons misrepresent the nature of God

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Icons often lead to idolatry

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Which of these is NOT true of Eastern Orthodox churches?

They have a centralized hierarchical organization

Sorry, see Lecture 11

They have a close relationship with the state, being national churches

Sorry, see Lecture 11

They have been a unifying force, helping nations resist oppressive forces

Sorry, see Lecture 11

They typically had more influence over the state, exercising political as well as spiritual influence

Good Job

All of the above are true

Sorry, see Lecture 11
There was a growing rivalry over centuries between the church leaders in Rome and in Constantinople before the Great Schism.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 11
Some of the arguments the iconodules used for their side were connected with the fact that Jesus was God incarnate in material form.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 11
As the church expanded to Slavic peoples, they eventually developed a Christian empire modeled after Constantinople.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 11
Eastern churches are mostly iconoclast, and western churches typically use icons.

True

Sorry, that is backward, see Lecture 11

False

Well Done
The Lecture suggests we should protect the unity of the church at all costs.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 11

False

Good Job
Which is NOT an example of an Eastern Orthodox church mentioned in the Lecture?

Ethiopian Orthodox church

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Greek Orthodox church

Sorry, see Lecture 11

Russian Orthodox church

Sorry, see Lecture 11

German Orthodox church

Good Job

Armenian Orthodox church

Sorry, see Lecture 11

After the Great Schism, each side claimed that they were the faithful apostolic church, and that the other side was not as true and faithful.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 11
All the churches in the east are considered to be Eastern Orthodox churches.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 11

False

Well Done

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.