d the document (Von Voorst 157-58).Throughout the Christian history, to this point there were many significant events, internal and external, as well as people that have developed the religion and helped it grow into what it was at the time. What started out as a small group of non-conformers, transcended into a new way of life that still exists today. Internal events, mainly conflicts, brought about perhaps the most significant of these events such as the near schism of three popes that resulted in the banning of Simony by Pope Leo IX and his council, the establishment of the pope as supreme leader of the church by Gregory VII. External events, such as the attack on Rome by the Barbarians, led to appointing of pope Otto. Despite all the persecution and ridicule that Christians as a whole received, the religion grew to be one of the most powerful religions to date. Of all the examples of significant events is the growth of this religion; there are two events that are absolutely key to the survival of the religion. These two events were the reign of Constantine, and the preservation of knowledge through the Dark Ages by the monks.If it were not for Constantine’s reign, Christians would continue to be persecuted and ridiculed. Instead, he established religious freedom and Christian law in his empire thereby establishing Christianity as the official religion of the Western Empire. The monks preserved Christian as well as intellectual knowledge throughout the Dark Ages by being known and the “great librarians” and reproducing multiple copies of religious writings. “Monks were often called upon to act as teachers, political advisors, and missionaries (Weaver 66).” Out of all the events the helped preserve and strengthen the Christian faith, through careful observation, one can gather that these two events were quite possibly the most important and significant. However, the Christian faith as we know ...
