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Guided Reading Rome and the Rise of Christianity Lesson 5 A Christian Europe Two Christian Churches 1. Describing Write three sentences that describe the relationship between the government and religion of the Byzantine Empire. 2. Evaluating A disagreement over the use of icons split the Eastern Orthodox Church. What were some of the reasons for and against the use of icons? ESSENTIAL QUESTION • How do new ideas change the way people live? Reasons for Using Icons Reasons Against Using Icons VS.

1 answer

1. Describing

The Byzantine Empire had a close relationship between government and religion, with the emperor often seen as God's representative on Earth, responsible for upholding and promoting Christian values. The state actively supported the church, leading to the intertwining of religious authority and political power, as the emperor could influence church leadership and doctrine. Additionally, religious leaders played a significant role in governance, as both institutions worked together to maintain social order and cultural cohesion.

2. Evaluating

Reasons for Using Icons

  1. Icons served as a visual representation of holy figures, helping to inspire and deepen the faith of the believers.
  2. They acted as a form of teaching, making biblical stories and the lives of saints accessible to a largely illiterate population.
  3. Icons were seen as a means to connect the physical world with the divine, facilitating a sense of spiritual presence during worship.

Reasons Against Using Icons

  1. Opponents argued that the use of icons could lead to idolatry, distracting believers from the worship of God alone.
  2. Some believed that icons were a violation of the Second Commandment, which forbids making graven images.
  3. The controversy surrounding icon use contributed to divisions within the church, suggesting that reliance on physical representations could undermine true faith and spirituality.