Roman (Catholic) Christianity the So-called Medieval Period

Classical Christianity Christianity is the world

A. Review and overview

The role of Constantine
Empire transformed Church becomes the world i the 4th c Definition eliminates Diversity
Creeds Canon Trinity and nature of Jesus/Holy Spirit

Citizen equals Christian

Heresy defined Paganism banned Official Roman Religion by 380

Christendom
The world in which all are Christians (or almost all!) Started with Roman empires adoption of Christianity as the official religion Two parts after 476
Roman empire known as Byzantium (seat of the Orthodox) till 1453 The rest, politically disunited. But after 476 Europe gradually converted by 1000, it too is Christian

Hence: the definition above

The Orthodox Approach to faith

Religion intuitive, experiential, imaginative.
God not like us, a thinking, acting, planning being.

Contemplation rather than rational hypothesis or logical demonstration Major tension between east and west the latter demands opinion, reason(s). The east sees that as a threat to faith

A. Eastern Christendom - Orthodox Tradition (188191)

Greek eastern half of the Roman Empire Byzantium after the fall of Latin Rome Caesaro-papism A growing east/west divide
Orthodox vs. Roman Christianity
Emphasis less on reason, more on worship and experience

God
Trinity not a theory of God but a poem, a theological dance. God transcends all language Gods names are not information but intended to draw us to God and share his nature

Cappadocian fathers God has single essence, unknown to us, but shown to us in 3 manifestations that adapted the mystery to our limited intelligence

Split with Rome -1054 (pp. 190-1)

Filioque clause Icons are not humanized but remain symbolized Mary No transubstantiation No celibacy requirement for all priests No man (pope) can be the head of Christs body Theology not a rational exercise. Using reason to discuss god is like eating soup with a fork (useless!!). Theology valid when pursued with prayer and liturgy.

B. Western Christendom or Latin (Medieval) Christianity (197-209)

The Rise of the Papacy, 191 Monasticisms central role in a decentralized world
St Benedict Mendicant Orders
Franciscans Dominicans Carmelites

B. 1. Augustine (pp. 191-193)

Neo-Platonistic and Manichaean background Philosophy as the handmaiden of theology Vs. Pelagius
Original sin, predestination City of God, City of Man

B. 2. Papacy (191)/Popes and Princes/Crusades (197-199)

As official religion, how should religious and political leaders decide about powers? After Rome sacked in 476, the Roman Church and its Bishop the only stable institution north of the Mediterranean

Gregory I, 590-604, de facto ruler of Italy, solidified the role of the Roman Bishop as 1st

Christian Europe (197)

Whos in charge of Christendom? Charlemagne in 800, Holy Roman Empire after 962 1054 split from Orthodox church this starts European Christianity on its own path

See p 197, Popes Nicholas II, Gregory VII, Boniface

B. 3. Definition and Structure

11th -13th c church defined itself more fully
1133 Lateran Council Council of Cardinals - signified professional clergy. Celibacy becomes the rule for clergy Canon law Papal courts
1233, Inquisitional methods (203)

Doctrines (see below under popular religion)

Sacraments defined Purgatory Transubstantiation Indulgences

The Growing Power of the State

14th c, Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy (197) During 15th c, real political power was devolving to national rulers in different parts of Europe

The Regional States of Medieval Europe, 1000-1300 C.E.

14

B. 4. Popular Development - Everyday life

Why is this important? What is the educational level of most Christians at this point? How can the church minister to them? a. Saints (199) b. Mary (200) c. Evil, Devil, and Angels (201)

B. 4. Popular Development - Everyday life

d. Sin, Heresy, and the Inquisition (202)

Seven deadly sins and seven virtues Citizenship = church membership Malleus Maleficarum

Malleus Maleficarum
Latin for "The Hammer of Witches Written in 1486 by Heinrich Kramer, an Inquisitor of the Catholic Church, 1st published in Germany in 1487
To refute arguments that witchcraft doesnt exist To note that witches are usually women To educate magistrates on rooting out and convicting them

Other popular elements

12th c additions
Purgatory 7 sacraments defined (see page) Transubstantiation

13th c additions
Indulgences

Note also the importance of relics, pilgrimages, Cathedrals with high ceilings and stained glass The main issue in popular Catholicism
How does the church teach the gospel in a non-literate world?

B. 5. Scholasticism (204)
The literate side reason and faith are not incompatible (1285-1349) The scholars
John Scotus Erigena Anselm Aguinas Ockham (distinguish between 2 theories by shaving away unnecessary assumptions)

B. 6. Mysticism (206)
The uncomfortable side Its threat the claims that an individual can be what Church Christianity claimed for Christ alone.

Meister Eckhart

C. Conclusions
Church as dominant institutions in Europe and Byzantium Christendom
Church Christianity vs. Biblical Christianity

Church Christianity - A unified Christian society

Buildings, sacraments, ordination (apostolic succession leaders not chosen by community but ordained by God and set aside from others, hierarchy). Empire and church saw mutual advantages in structure, order, authority (use state vs. heresy, e.g.), to settle doctrinal divisions Dream of Christendom a unified world under leadership of Pope, protected by secular leaders respecting his role Led to the colonization of Europe by stone-built churches and cathedrals and the placing of all people in a church controlled parish and a diocese of a Bishop

Biblical Christianity
More radical and free-wheeling Obedience only to demands of the Bible, a greater authority than the church Need no mediator with God no priest, no pope, no kings. Form own communities of saints

Each individual has right to interpret scriptures can it be individualistic and subjective?