Theology 1.0: What is the great schism?

Armenian Church in Singapore, an Eastern Orthodox Church

Growing up in Singapore, I often think of Christianity of two kinds -- Roman Catholic and Protestant. However that was a myopic view. That view was to largely ignore my Eastern Orthodox friends, who mainly reside in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

In this post I will explore the historic background of the split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox church.

[Note that this page intents to be a summary; I would like to go into detail into many things, such as the issue of unleavened bread, the Donation of Constantine and many others.]

Prologue

Figure 1:
Western Roman Empire (in purple) and Eastern Roman Empire (in pink)

Language
As shown in Figure 1, the Roman Empire was very big indeed. To administer the regions better, the Empire was split into East and West around 300 AD. The Western Romans spoke Latin, while the Eastern Romans (Byzantines) spoke Greek.

As Christianity became increasingly accepted in the Empire, the Eastern and Western Churches started to develop almost independently, partially due to language barriers. The Church of Constantinople (now Istanbul) took prominence in the East, while the Church of Rome took prominence in the West.

Nevertheless, there was some level of communication between the churches as they met in councils to decide theological issues.

The role of Rome and Constantinople
The role of Bishop of Rome became even more elevated when the Western Roman Empire fell to barbarian invasions in 476 AD. As the only existing administrative authority in the West, the Bishop of Rome (aka the Pope) manage political as well as logistical issues.

This role became more pronounced as the bishops in the East often looked to Rome to settle their disputes (as Rome was an independent observer).

However, the appointment of the Pope was subjected to the approval of the Eastern Roman Emperor (as he was the only emperor left). This brought the Pope (and by extension the Western rulers) at the mercy of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Holy Roman Empire vs Eastern Roman Empire

Figure 2: Medieval Europe around 1200

In 800 AD, Pope Leo III crowned barbarian king Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor for his military, educational, theological and administrative achievements. This shifted the religious power from the Eastern Rome to the West.

As expected, the Eastern Romans did not take to this kindly. After all, they had not fallen yet. As Charlemagne's descendant Otto I founded the Holy Roman Empire in Germany, the friction between the Roman Christians and the Greek Christians increased.

Filioque
Finally the straw that broke the camel's back was the issue of Filioque. The Filioque was the inclusion of the words "and from the Son" in the Nicene Creed, one of the common creeds (statement of beliefs) between the Western and Eastern churches.

The creed read (with the added words in []):
the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]

Pope Leo IX started using the creed with the inserted words in 1014. When questioned by the Eastern bishops, he simply asserted the supremacy of Rome. To the Eastern Bishops, they felt that changing the creed required the need and consent of a council (involving them also).

Schism
Humbert vs Michael
In 1054 due to numerous theological and polititcal differences, Pope Leo IX sent a delegate which consisted of Cardinal Humbert to Constantinople to discuss the matters with Patriarch Michael of the Eastern Churches.

Snubbed by Michael, Humbert excommunicated the Eastern churches while they were celebrating the Divine Liturgy. In return, Michael excommunicated the Western churches. While this date was regarded as the official date of the split, many Eastern Roman historians did not think it was a significant event at that time.

Attempts to reconcile
Crusades
Despite being split, the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy Christians still regarded each other well. For instance, when Eastern Romans needed help to retake their lands from the Muslims, they appealed to the Pope for help. (This later led to the concept of the infamous Crusades.)

Nevertheless with the Eastern Romans massacring the Roman Catholics in Constantinople in 1182, and the sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 soured relations between East and West to the point where reconciliation was off the table.

Yet in recent years, there have been attempts to improve relations. In 2004, Pope John Paul II expressed sorrow to Patriarch Bartholomew I for the sack of Constantinople (800 years after the incident!). This was seen an apology by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Conclusion
To me I wonder if the split was inevitable. While the Protestant Reformation was a split due to theological (in the case of Luther and Calvin) and political (in the case of England), this split seems to be more political to me.

To the Eastern Orthodox, the result of the Filioque caused Roman Catholicism to be drastically different in doctrine.

For further information

Alternative culture: The closing of Comics Connection

Comic Connection - where I used to buy game cards from

One of my favourite franchises in Singapore, Comics Connection has closed for good in Singapore. Its last branch at Plaza Singapura closed in December 2015. Established in 1992, it had many as 25 outlets in Singapore at its prime.

My sister and I used to buy Japanese comics, game cards and card sleeves there. When we were younger, I used to think that the shops would last for ever.

The theological point

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6: 19 -21

If even big corporations like Comics Connection, Kodak (for cameras) and THQ (for video games) can close down within decades, what more of our achievements and assets on earth we have?

Why not focus on things which are eternal?

With due respect: Church is not important!

Recently in a taxi ride, I discussed the importance of church with the driver. While my driver so happened to be a Christian, he does not attend church as he feels that attending the church is not important.

Maybe he is disappointed with church leadership, or disillusioned with the friendships he made. Nevertheless, I decided to dedicate this post to explain the importance of church (a community of believers).

God has chosen the church to effect his will
"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- Ephesians 3:10 - 11

Firstly the church is important because God has chosen to made Himself known to the world via the church. Thus to diminish the importance of church is to deny God's will for it.

The community of believers is a pillar of truth
"if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." -- 1 Timothy 3:15

Secondly, the church provides a structure of support and guidance for believers. As shown above, Apostle Paul writes that in his absence, that Christians should look to the church for instruction.

Conclusion
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
-- John 17: 20 - 23

Ultimately to be in the church is to follow the commands of Jesus. Reading the above carefully, we see that Jesus wanted the believers to be united. And in this way, the whole world will recognise that God loves them.

Alternative culture: The banning of the Lord's Prayer

Recently, some cinemas in the UK has banned an advert on the Lord's prayer. While many articles have been written for and against it, I personally was quite surprised that the cinemas proceeded with the ban. Do not get me wrong; I am neither for or against the decision, as I feel as an outsider (who only studied in the UK for 4 years), it is not my place.

Why I am surprised
Firstly, the Church of England is a political entity in the UK. Unlike secular Singapore, the Church of England has some level of political sway. Being accustomed to seeing the Archbishop in Parliament and Bishops on the regular BBC news programmes, I was surprised to hear that cinema-goers might be offended by it.

Secondly, so wouldn't denying them a right to advertise would be against free speech? Sure one may say that the Muslims and Hindus would have to be given that right, and I would agree-- if they paid for it, they should be allowed to advertise.

That's all I have to write about it.

The video in question.


For further reading
Seven reasons to ban

Theology 1.0: Dr Tan Lai Yong

Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.   -- Proverbs 30: 7 - 9

Recently, I had the honour of meeting Dr Tan Lai Yong. Hailed for his charity work by the Singapore Parliament in March 2014, I have sometimes heard his name mentioned as a bright shining example of Christendom.

Inspired by Proverbs 30:7-9, Dr Tan dedicated his life to help people who are less well-off. This includes the poor in China and foreign workers, the elderly and ex-offenders in Singapore.

What amazes me is his simple lifestyle. Clad in a simple pair of jeans and a university-sponsored shirt, he greeted my students while advocating a life of volunteerism to my students.

Thanks Dr Tan, for living a live dedicated to God and avoiding a materialistic lifestyle so endorsed by our affluent lifestyle.

For further reading
Wandering Saint

Theology 1.0: What is a cult?

What are cults?
A cult is a sub-group that claims the beliefs of its parent, but deviates from the main doctrine of the parent.

For instance, many consider the Eastern Lightning a Christian cult This because it claims to follow the doctrine of Christianity, but argues that Jesus has returned in the form of a woman.

The Arian movement is also considered a Christian cult, as it denies the triune God.

Do Christian cults challenge the truth of Christianity?
As with any ideology, it is inevitable that variants would crop up. Even in atheistic philosophy such as Communism, there are many deviants like Leninism and Stalinism.

However, just as a counterfeit bank note does not disprove the existence of a real Singapore note or the Monetary Authority of Singapore, cults do not bring into doubt religious belief.

If anything, they should make us examine closely our own beliefs.

My confession: My biggest fear for the churches in Singapore

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
-- Revelation 3: 14 - 18

In Singapore we are blessed with prosperity. And maybe it's our Asian drive mixed with Western ingenuity that has led us to pursue success in every area of our lives. I mean we can easily define success as the amount of money we earn every month, the brand of the cars we have, or even how well our kids are coming. It can be even the less tangible things, such as the amount of options our education degrees gives us, or how happy we are with our current job.

We may even stretch this in the context of our Christian lives. Some people gauge the success of the church by the number of people attending, or the amount of donations. Others look at reputation, or highlight the number of celebrities at their church.

What if I were to tell you none of that mattered?

The costs of following Jesus
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
-- Luke 14: 25-33

In my interactions with my fellow Singaporean Christians, there seem to be an idea that following God would results in blessings gained. However in the verse above, the message is clear: in following Jesus, we must be prepared to give up everything.

That is what has been missing from a lot of preaching I heard in Singapore. The idea that we will suffer, lose or even die when we following Jesus. To deny that is disingenuous to the early Christians or our suffering siblings in North Korea and the Middle East.

The genuity of worship
But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams"
-- 1 Samuel 15:22

As shown in the verse above, God desires genuine worship. It is not enough to give money, time and effort if our intentions are not enough. So what if we are wealthy and give God 10%, 50% or 90%? So what if we hit all the right notes in the songs?

Sincerity in worship is more important. If I am allowed to be frank, I rather have a smaller congregation with real worshipers, than to be in a church with many numbers but little sincerity.

The choice between truth and peace
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
-- 2 Timothy 4: 2-4

If we are not careful, we may fill our ears and thoughts with things we simply like, and not what the Bible says. As the song goes, "the heart wants what it wants."

If we want someone to affirm Christian homosexuality, we can find someone to that. If we want to find a respectable person to support the idea that Christianity is about being wealthy and healthy, we can look for that too.

That would be contrary with what the Bible teaches. Christianity is not about peace at the expense of the truth of Jesus. It is about the truth that Jesus died for our sins, and the only way for reconciliation with God is through Him.

Often we are afraid to offend people in Singapore, especially since the country prides herself in religious harmony and secularism. Thus there is a tendency to treat all religions as equal. Even my ex-pastor recently went on a Buddhist meditation trip.

It may be unpopular, and even cost us our jobs. But we must declare that Jesus is the only way.

Conclusion
The truth is this --  in our lips we may condemn the prosperity gospel or claim we are following God, but in our hearts in may be different.

Dear friends, it is my plead that we all follow Scripture, even it is brings us to the unfavourable conclusion that we must change our lives in order to follow God.

For further thinking