The Great Schism, also known as the East-West Schism, was the formal division that occurred in 1054 AD between the Western Church, led by the Pope in Rome, and the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople. This event marked the culmination of centuries of theological, political, cultural, and ecclesiastical differences, leading to the separation of what are now known as the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Historical Context
Theological and Ecclesiastical Differences
The roots of the Great Schism can be traced back to various theological and ecclesiastical differences that developed between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity over several centuries.
- Theological Disputes:
- The Filioque Controversy: One of the most significant theological disputes was over the insertion of the Filioque clause into the Nicene Creed by the Western Church. The original Creed, formulated at the First Council of Nicaea (325) and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople (381), stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. However, the Western Church added Filioque (meaning “and the Son”) to state that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Eastern Church rejected this addition, arguing that it was made unilaterally and altered the theology of the Trinity.
- Papal Primacy: Another major point of contention was the role of the Pope. The Western Church held that the Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, had supreme authority over the entire Church, based on the belief that the Pope was the successor of St. Peter, whom they regarded as the first bishop of Rome. The Eastern Church, however, rejected this claim, advocating for a conciliar model of governance where the five major patriarchates (Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem) were considered equal, with the Patriarch of Constantinople holding a position of honor but not of supreme authority.
- Cultural and Liturgical Differences:
- Language and Worship: The Western Church used Latin in its liturgy and theological writings, while the Eastern Church used Greek. This linguistic divide contributed to misunderstandings and a growing cultural separation between the two branches of Christianity.
- Liturgical Practices: Differences in liturgical practices also developed, including variations in the celebration of the Eucharist, the use of leavened vs. unleavened bread, and the practices surrounding clerical celibacy and marriage.
- Political Factors:
- The Role of the Byzantine Empire: The political relationship between the Byzantine Empire and the Western territories also played a role in the schism. As the political power of the Byzantine Empire waned, tensions grew between the Eastern Church, which was closely aligned with the empire, and the Western Church, which was increasingly asserting its independence and influence.
- The Crowning of Charlemagne: In 800 AD, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, which was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the Byzantine Emperor and contributed to the growing divide between East and West.
The Schism of 1054
The immediate events leading to the Great Schism occurred in 1054 when Pope Leo IX sent a delegation, led by Cardinal Humbert, to Constantinople to negotiate with Patriarch Michael Cerularius. The negotiations quickly deteriorated, with both sides accusing the other of heresy and disobedience. On July 16, 1054, Cardinal Humbert placed a bull of excommunication on the altar of Hagia Sophia, excommunicating the Patriarch and his followers. In response, Patriarch Michael Cerularius excommunicated the delegation from Rome.
While the mutual excommunications were lifted in 1965 as part of an effort to reconcile the two churches, the schism has persisted, with the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church remaining separate to this day.
Biblical References
Scriptural Insights on Unity and Division
The Bible emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, which makes the Great Schism a tragic event from a Christian perspective.
- John 17:20-23 (KJV):
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
NIV:
“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.”
This passage, known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, reflects Christ’s desire for the unity of His followers. The Great Schism stands in contrast to this prayer, illustrating how human sin and division can disrupt the unity that Christ intended for His Church.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (KJV):
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
NIV:
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
The Apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid divisions and maintain unity in the Church. The Schism, with its divisions over theological and ecclesiastical issues, is an example of the kind of division Paul warns against.
Conservative Theological Perspective
From a conservative theological perspective, the Great Schism is viewed as a tragic consequence of human sinfulness and the failure to uphold the unity that Christ desires for His Church. While differences in theology and practice are acknowledged, conservative theology emphasizes the need for fidelity to Scripture and the apostolic tradition as the foundation for true Christian unity.
The Role of Church Authority
- Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV):
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
NIV:
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
This passage is often cited by the Roman Catholic Church to support the primacy of the Pope. However, from a conservative Protestant perspective, this text is interpreted as referring to Peter’s confession of faith in Christ as the foundation of the Church, rather than establishing a line of papal authority. The division over the interpretation of this passage played a significant role in the Schism.
- Acts 15:6-11 (KJV):
“And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
NIV:
“The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.'”
This passage highlights the early Church’s practice of resolving theological disputes through councils, where the apostles and elders, led by the Holy Spirit, sought to discern God’s will. The Great Schism reflects a breakdown of this process, as the lack of a common authority to resolve disputes led to the division.
Practical Implications for Worship and Doctrine
Protestant Concerns and Emphasis
In conservative Protestant thought, the Great Schism serves as a warning about the dangers of placing too much emphasis on human authority and tradition at the expense of Scriptural fidelity. The Schism highlights the importance of returning to the authority of the Bible as the ultimate guide for faith and practice, avoiding the divisions that arise from man-made doctrines.
Protestants emphasize the principle of sola scriptura (Scripture alone) as the foundation for Christian unity. The Reformation, which followed the Great Schism by several centuries, was in part a response to the perceived excesses and errors that had developed in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. By returning to the clear teaching of Scripture, Protestants seek to preserve the unity of the Church in truth.
The Call to Unity in Truth
- Ephesians 4:3-6 (KJV):
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
NIV:
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The Bible calls believers to strive for unity in the faith, grounded in the truth of the Gospel. The Great Schism, with its division over theological and ecclesiastical issues, serves as a reminder of the need to pursue unity not just in outward forms, but in the truth of God’s Word.
Broader Thematic Connections
The Nature of the Church
The Great Schism raises important questions about the nature of the Church and the basis for its unity. From a conservative Christian perspective, the true Church is defined by its adherence to the teachings of Christ and the apostles, as found in Scripture. This includes a commitment to sound doctrine, the proper administration of the sacraments, and the pursuit of holiness.
- 1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV):
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
NIV:
“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.”
The Church is described as “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” The Great Schism reflects a failure to maintain this truth in unity, as differing interpretations and practices led to division.
The Role of Tradition
While tradition plays a role in shaping Christian practice, conservative theology insists that tradition must always be subordinate to Scripture. The Great Schism illustrates the dangers of allowing human traditions to take precedence over the clear teaching of the Bible, leading to division rather than unity.
Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine
The Great Schism has had a profound and lasting impact on the Christian world. It solidified the division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, with both branches developing distinct theological and liturgical traditions. The Schism also set the stage for the Protestant Reformation, which sought to address some of the same issues of authority and doctrine that had contributed to the Schism.
Conservative Reflection on Unity and Truth
From a conservative theological perspective, the Great Schism is a reminder of the importance of maintaining unity in the truth of God’s Word. While differences in practice and tradition may exist, the Church must strive to uphold the truth of the Gospel and avoid divisions that detract from the witness of Christ in the world.
Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus
The Great Schism, while a significant event in Christian history, does not change the fundamental truth of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ. Despite human failings and divisions, the message of the Gospel remains the same: that through Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, and through Him, believers are called to be reconciled to one another in love and truth. The call to unity in Christ is a call to reflect His love and grace to a divided world, demonstrating the power of the Gospel to bring people together in the truth of God’s Word.