Time for a History Lesson

In our study of the history of Christianity we commonly restrict our focus to the Greco-Roman Empire. “East” and “West” are references to Constantinople and Rome. Greek and Latin are the prerequisite languages. The terms of Aristotle and Plato underlie many discussions. And yet this focus tends to leave a large chunk of Christendom outside our purview.

As western Christians our focus on the history of Christianity west of the Holy Land is understandable. Nevertheless early Christian missionaries (possibly even Apostles) also went outside the Greco-Roman world. Of course we are aware of this, but how much do we really study this group of Christians who are east of “the East?”

I think the average amount of knowledge would string together a few loose strands. We could start with St. Thomas and his reported mission to India. Fast forward three hundred years and one might make note of an ascetic theologian and hymn-writer, St. Ephrem the Syrian. Skip ahead another century or two and the Church historian encounters Nestorius, that great schism that preceded “The Great Schism,” and the resultant Nestorianism. At that point our historical knowledge of Far Eastern/Oriental Orthodoxy more or less stops. We could recount more of the history of Islam in this time and place than we could of their Christian co-inhabitants.

That brings us to the modern day. We hear reports of the persecution of Christians (Nestorians?) throughout the Mid-East. How did they get there? If they’ve been there since the start how on earth have they survived two-thousand years without a Constantine? 

Personally, I have found the study of Asian/Middle Eastern Christianity to be truly fascinating! That is why I recommend the below book to any of you who desire to expand your knowledge of the history of Christianity. This is more than just a “continuing Ed.” opportunity. I truly believe that studying history gives us an invaluable perspective on current events. So as you and your parishioners hear of the persecutions in Africa and the Middle East, this historical context of who these Christians are and how they have survived and spread will be well worth the price of the book!

Furthermore, as the western world becomes more hostile to Christianity we could greatly benefit from the experience of these Eastern Christians. We can learn from their methods of survival even if we do not adopt their Nestorian theology. The centrality of theological schools (and monasteries), the preservation of a unique liturgical language (Syriac) in the Arabic speaking world, and their own missionary journeys as far east as China will appear time and again throughout their history. These factors and more proved indispensible for the survival, preservation, and prosperity of Christians who have lived through Zoroastrian, Muslim, Khan, and more Muslim domination.

A History of Christianity in Asia: Beginnings to 1500 by Samuel Hugh Moffett. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2009. 560 pages - $25.34 (New)

Moffett’s book is broken down into three parts:
I. From the Apostles to Muhammad

II. Outreach: The Ends of the Earth (From Alopen to the Crusades)

III. The Pax Mongolica: From Genghis Khan to Tamerlane

My only serious critique is that I find Moffett’s handling of the Christological controversy between Cyril and Nestorius to be biased in favor of the latter. Obviously that chaffs my Lutheranism, especially when he invokes Luther for a completely unfounded defense of Nestorius. Citing F. Loofs’ Nestorius and his Place in the History of Christian Doctrine, Moffett claims, “Judged by his own words at last, Nestorius is revealed as not so much ‘Nestorian’ and more orthodox than his opponents gave him credit for. Luther, for example, after looking over all he could find of his writings decided that there was nothing really heretical in them.”

In the interest of brevity, I will just provide a few American Edition of Luther’s Works references that openly and directly record Luther’s condemnation of Nestorius as a heretic (not just Nestorianism): 15:339; 38:310, and in the extremely thorough On the Councils and the Church 41:94ff.

It’s an egregious error and one that Lutherans will not be quick to overlook. However, I did not get the impression that Moffett has an axe to grind in defense of Nestorius. Thus, he does not allow his sympathy for Nestorius to resound throughout the subsequent centuries of events that he covers. Whatever he believes about Nestorius & Cyril he acknowledges the resulting schism as historical fact and moves on from there.

I know a history book is a break from my usual recommendations of OT works, but I am a fan of history too. I highly recommend you purchase this book or put it on a “wish list” since Pastor Appreciation Month is just around the corner.