Church History
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class examined the historical development of the Christian priesthood from its Old Testament origins to the medieval era, emphasizing how the institution accumulated power through practices like confession, absolution, and the imposition of penance. The teacher explained that while New Testament teaching presents forgiveness as a direct relationship between the believer and God, the medieval church placed the priest as the gatekeeper of forgiveness, even monetizing repentance through indulgences. This shift, the instructor argued, led to a concentration of wealth and authority in the hands of clergy, deviating significantly from biblical principles. The discussion then moved to the spread of the Latin Vulgate and the exclusive use of Latin in worship, which further alienated congregants from Scripture. By chaining Bibles to pulpits, the church limited personal access to God’s Word. The class concluded with an overview of early Christian worship, highlighting the centrality of the Lord’s Supper and the agape meal, and noting how these practices evolved under Roman influence. Throughout, the teacher reinforced that true communion and forgiveness are rooted in Jesus’ sacrifice, not in human rituals or financial transactions.