Topic 11Topic 11

Medieval ChristianityMedieval Christianity (500-1500)(500-1500)

I. Early Middle Ages

II. Late Middle Ages

I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)

A.A. Fall of Rome (476) – effects on church:Fall of Rome (476) – effects on church:1.1. Barbarian invaders provided new prospects Barbarian invaders provided new prospects

for conversion.for conversion.2.2. Church becomes most powerful institution in Church becomes most powerful institution in

the West – hierarchy is strengthened.the West – hierarchy is strengthened.3.3. Office of Pope rises to fill power vacuum.Office of Pope rises to fill power vacuum.

a.a. Bishop of Rome evolved into office of Pope.Bishop of Rome evolved into office of Pope.b.b. ““Pope” derives from “papa” – term of endearment Pope” derives from “papa” – term of endearment

for bishops; became title for Bishop of Rome.for bishops; became title for Bishop of Rome.c.c. Bishops of Rome claimed authority over other Bishops of Rome claimed authority over other

bishops as successors of Peter.bishops as successors of Peter.d.d. Pope became supreme ruler of (Western) Church.Pope became supreme ruler of (Western) Church.e.e. With collapse of imperial power in West, popes With collapse of imperial power in West, popes

now exercised secular power as well.now exercised secular power as well. Pope Gregory I negotiated with invaders; Pope Gregory I negotiated with invaders;

organized food relief during siege of Rome.organized food relief during siege of Rome. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of

“Holy Roman Empire” (800).“Holy Roman Empire” (800).

4.4. Divided Eastern from Western Christianity.Divided Eastern from Western Christianity.

I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)B.B. Western vs. Eastern ChristianityWestern vs. Eastern Christianity

WestWest EastEast1. Name1. Name Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox ChurchEastern Orthodox Church

2. Capital 2. Capital RomeRome ConstantinopleConstantinople

3. Language3. Language LatinLatin GreekGreek

4. Theology4. Theology PracticalPractical SpeculativeSpeculative

5. Salvation5. Salvation Death of Christ pays Death of Christ pays penalty for sinpenalty for sin

Resurrection of Christ Resurrection of Christ restores image of Godrestores image of God

6. Church-state6. Church-state Church over stateChurch over state State over churchState over church

7. Celibacy7. Celibacy Celibacy for all clergyCelibacy for all clergy Allows married priestsAllows married priests

8. Baptism8. Baptism Sprinkling permittedSprinkling permitted Immersion requiredImmersion required

9. Communion9. Communion Laity take bread onlyLaity take bread only Laity take bread and wineLaity take bread and wine

10. Governance10. Governance Strong popeStrong pope No pope (Patriarch)No pope (Patriarch)

I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)I. Early Middle Ages (476-1054)

C.C. East-West Schism (1054)East-West Schism (1054)1.1. Filioque Filioque (“and from the Son”) added to creed in West; (“and from the Son”) added to creed in West;

Eastern theologians objected.Eastern theologians objected.

2.2. 1054 – Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople 1054 – Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated one another.excommunicated one another.

3.3. 1204 – Crusaders from West sacked Constantinople! 1204 – Crusaders from West sacked Constantinople! (Dashed any hopes of reconciliation.)(Dashed any hopes of reconciliation.)

D.D. Rise of Islam (610-732)Rise of Islam (610-732)1.1. Religion of monotheism Religion of monotheism - founded by Muhammed.- founded by Muhammed.

2.2. Muslims captured Southern rim of Christendom: Middle Muslims captured Southern rim of Christendom: Middle East; Egypt; North Africa; part of Spain.East; Egypt; North Africa; part of Spain.

3.3. Christianity expanded northwardChristianity expanded northward..

N. Africa

Egypt

Palestine Arabia

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)A.A. Development of the PapacyDevelopment of the Papacy

1.1. CorruptionCorruptiona.a. Church hierarchy grew wealthy, powerful, corrupt.Church hierarchy grew wealthy, powerful, corrupt.b.b. Bishops often functioned more like feudal warlords.Bishops often functioned more like feudal warlords.

c.c. Specific abuses compromising integrity of church offices:Specific abuses compromising integrity of church offices: Nepotism – giving offices to relativesNepotism – giving offices to relatives Simony – selling offices to highest bidderSimony – selling offices to highest bidder Lay investiture – appointment of church officials by Lay investiture – appointment of church officials by

secular rulersecular ruler

d.d. 1010thth century: Papacy caught up in political intrigue; century: Papacy caught up in political intrigue; assassinations; sexual immorality.assassinations; sexual immorality.

2.2. Cluniac ReformCluniac Reforma.a. Promoted by monastery at Cluny.Promoted by monastery at Cluny.

b.b. Led to strengthening of papacy.Led to strengthening of papacy.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)A.A. Development of the Papacy – cont.Development of the Papacy – cont.

3.3. Three strong popes in high middle ages:Three strong popes in high middle ages:a.a. Pope Gregory VIIPope Gregory VII

Strong reforming pope.Strong reforming pope. Conflict with Emperor Henry IV over lay investiture (1077).Conflict with Emperor Henry IV over lay investiture (1077). Showdown at Canossa: Henry stood barefoot in snow repenting Showdown at Canossa: Henry stood barefoot in snow repenting

until Pope forgave him.until Pope forgave him.

b.b. Pope Innocent IIIPope Innocent III Most powerful pope ever (c. 1200).Most powerful pope ever (c. 1200). Most powerful man in Europe.Most powerful man in Europe. Council adopted doctrine of Council adopted doctrine of TransubstantiationTransubstantiation (bread & wine (bread & wine

become body & blood of Christ).become body & blood of Christ). Started the Inquisition – Started the Inquisition – church court for rooting out heresychurch court for rooting out heresy..

c.c. Pope Boniface VIIIPope Boniface VIII Claimed absolute power of pope.Claimed absolute power of pope. Unam SanctamUnam Sanctam (1302): no salvation outside church. (1302): no salvation outside church. Secular authority must yield to pope.Secular authority must yield to pope. No longer had power to enforce these claims.No longer had power to enforce these claims.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)A.A. Development of the Papacy – cont.Development of the Papacy – cont.

4.4. Decline of the papacyDecline of the papacya.a. Papacy moved to Avignon, under control of French Papacy moved to Avignon, under control of French

kings (1309-1377).kings (1309-1377).

b.b. Period of rival popes: popes in Rome and Avignon, Period of rival popes: popes in Rome and Avignon, each claiming legitimacy (1378-1423).each claiming legitimacy (1378-1423).

c.c. Corruption: by end of Middle Ages, popes were Corruption: by end of Middle Ages, popes were again caught up in pursuit of immorality, wealth, again caught up in pursuit of immorality, wealth, luxury, and power.luxury, and power.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)B.B. Crusades (1095-1291)Crusades (1095-1291)

1.1. Series of military campaigns to retake Holy LandSeries of military campaigns to retake Holy Land ..

2.2. Minimal results in military objective.Minimal results in military objective.a.a. First Crusade won control of Jerusalem for nearly First Crusade won control of Jerusalem for nearly

a century.a century.

b.b. Other crusades were less successful.Other crusades were less successful.

3.3. Side-effects:Side-effects:a.a. Enhanced power of papacy.Enhanced power of papacy.

b.b. Boosted economy of Europe.Boosted economy of Europe.

c.c. Enhanced popularity of “relics.”Enhanced popularity of “relics.”

d.d. Reopened contact with East. Reopened contact with East.

e.e. Rediscovered ancient classics, esp. Aristotle.Rediscovered ancient classics, esp. Aristotle.

f.f. Sowed seeds of animosity between Muslims and Sowed seeds of animosity between Muslims and Christians.Christians.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)C.C. ScholasticismScholasticism

1.1. Scholastic theologyScholastic theologya.a. Taught in cathedral schools and universities.Taught in cathedral schools and universities.

b.b. Used reason to analyze Christian doctrine.Used reason to analyze Christian doctrine.

2.2. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)a.a. Most important scholastic theologian.Most important scholastic theologian.

b.b. Summa Theologica Summa Theologica – systematic theology; – systematic theology; “crown of scholasticism.”“crown of scholasticism.”

c.c. Became official Roman Catholic theology.Became official Roman Catholic theology.

d.d. Salvation is by grace plus works.Salvation is by grace plus works. Grace enables good works.Grace enables good works. Works earn merit, which is necessary for salvation..Works earn merit, which is necessary for salvation.. Surplus merit (earned by saints, etc.) is stored in Surplus merit (earned by saints, etc.) is stored in

Treasury of Merit – can be dispensed by church.Treasury of Merit – can be dispensed by church.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)D.D. Early Reform Efforts Early Reform Efforts (forerunners of Protestant Ref.)(forerunners of Protestant Ref.)

1.1. John Wycliffe (1330-84)John Wycliffe (1330-84)a.a. English priest; Oxford professor.English priest; Oxford professor.b.b. Concerned about corruption in church.Concerned about corruption in church.c.c. Asserted authority of Bible over authority of church.Asserted authority of Bible over authority of church.d.d. Popes/priests are subject to authority of Bible.Popes/priests are subject to authority of Bible.e.e. All Christians can read/interpret Bible for themselves.All Christians can read/interpret Bible for themselves.f.f. Translated Bible into English – earliest complete English Translated Bible into English – earliest complete English

translation (worked from Latin translation (worked from Latin VulgateVulgate).).g.g. Disciples (Lollards) continued message; were persecuted.Disciples (Lollards) continued message; were persecuted.h.h. 1418 – declared a heretic; bones exhumed, burned.1418 – declared a heretic; bones exhumed, burned.

2.2. John Hus (1372-1415)John Hus (1372-1415)a.a. Professor in Prague; influenced by Wycliffe.Professor in Prague; influenced by Wycliffe.b.b. Authority of Bible over church.Authority of Bible over church.c.c. Condemned corruption in clergy.Condemned corruption in clergy.d.d. Burned at stake (1415).Burned at stake (1415).e.e. Followers rebelled; won some concessions.Followers rebelled; won some concessions.

II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)II. Late Middle Ages (1054-1453)E.E. Renaissance (1300-1600)Renaissance (1300-1600)

1.1. Revival of classical cultureRevival of classical culturea.a. Burst of creative energy in art, sculpture.Burst of creative energy in art, sculpture.

b.b. Popes spent enormous sums.Popes spent enormous sums.

2.2. HumanismHumanisma.a. New kind of scholarship.New kind of scholarship.

b.b. Openness to inquiry; freedom to question authority; reject Openness to inquiry; freedom to question authority; reject traditional assumptions.traditional assumptions.

c.c. Went back to ancient classics; Bible in Hebrew and Greek.Went back to ancient classics; Bible in Hebrew and Greek.

d.d. Studied Bible for what it says, as opposed to church tradition.Studied Bible for what it says, as opposed to church tradition.

e.e. Vernacular translations put Bible in hands of lay people.Vernacular translations put Bible in hands of lay people.

f.f. Gutenberg’s printing press (c. 1450) made books cheap, Gutenberg’s printing press (c. 1450) made books cheap, plentiful.plentiful.

g.g. Erasmus – Dutch humanist; published first printed text of Erasmus – Dutch humanist; published first printed text of Greek NT (1516).Greek NT (1516).

3.3. Renaissance set stage for Protestant Reformation.Renaissance set stage for Protestant Reformation.