How could it be that there is no central christian church? How would that affect Europes development and the Christian faith?
It depends. Is it that the Catholic church never becomes dominant to other sects like Arianism or Monophyitism?How could it be that there is no central christian church? How would that affect Europes development and the Christian faith?
I assume that the Catholic Church would never be formed.It depends. Is it that the Catholic church never becomes dominant to other sects like Arianism or Monophyitism?
I assume that the Catholic Church would never be formed.
Maybe it becomes popular in Rome but never becomes the state religion? It fragments into various different sects later on?
If the Catholic Church never forms then there's no guarantee that Christianity would exist in its present form. I red somewhere that Constantine was looking for a new state religion. So if Christianity is not chosen and instead its say, Sol Invictus, then would Christianity continue to exist or would there be a more active attempt to wipe it out completely? After all, If I was the Emperor, I wouldn't want to let a threat to my new State Religion continue to exist.
Plus Constantine seemed to not have any intention of persecuting any pagan religions when he made Christianity an accepted religion. I don't think that came until Theodosius.I'm not sure that Christianity is a threat to Sol Invictus if Sol Invictus is in charge. It takes certain tenets of dogma - or attitude - to have the idea that the existence of religions other than the one's own is a threat.
The easiest way would be to split the church into various national churches. Each one might be central in its own area, and all might nominally accept the pope, say, but France, Spain, the HRE and England all effectively go their own ways.
Would that count?
Except the Orthodox have done a very good job of maintaining consistent theology and liturgy over a millenium and more. I suspect national churches in Europe would diverge more and faster.Similar to how Orthodox church operates? Maybe Pope is first among equals or has somewhat elevated role but far from being supreme ruler who can order other (arch)bishops around.
Not sure if this would work but what about HRE winning investiture controversy? If state/ruler appoints bishops then state church is more linked to state rather than Papacy with state then having greater influence over running of "their church"
Except the Orthodox have done a very good job of maintaining consistent theology and liturgy over a millenium and more. I suspect national churches in Europe would diverge more and faster.
And, yes, that one be one pod.
Well, you could start with united church in Roman Empire that sets down the theology. Then when national churches become more separated they maintain original theology. I think it would help that seat of their church would be more local rather than in far away Rome so money and such would remain localy.
I'm not saying that various "heresies" wouldn't pop up but I don't think it's a given.