-
Started by Plotinus, 205-270 CE. "Decisive in the intellectual development of Augustine" (Ferguson, 391.) Uses the transcendence of "one" to overcome dualism. Hugely influential on Christianity.
-
Proposed that Crist was fully human, not born of God, but "first & hightest of God's creations." Ferguson p. 193.
-
REfuted alliance of church & state.
Said only clergy who had never renounced their faith could administer sacraments, including baptism. -
Affirmed Christ's divinity & his origins from God.
-
Officially endorses Christianity as the religion of the empire. Issues arise with creating the Church in the image of political reality.
-
Philosopher. As such, he took a non-religious approach to explaining "the way things are." Focused on "the impersonal principal of perfection." which he called a "form." (Ferguson, 333). Another important concept is "nature." There are certain basic characteristics (truths) which define things. Emphasized nonmaterial reality. Huge influence on Patristic theology.
-
345-430. Manichean => Neoplatonist => Christian. Theologian whose influence can be felt even today. Sin originates with man, not God. It is up to us to decide whether we want a happy or miserable life.
-
Christ consists of 2 natures but is only one person.
-
Expansion of Islam came with Arab invaders across north Africa and across southern Europe. The simplicity of the religion appealed to many, and in many places Christianity was all but eclipsed. There is some evidence that the Muslims were more tolerant of us than we were (eventually) of them.
-
"The king was allowed use of lands to which the church retained title and in return received a nominal rent. This practice provided the precedent for the concept of a fief." Ferguson, 362.
-
Instituted college of cardinals.
Principle of holy warfare.
Independence of pope from royal power. -
Advocated that the presence of Christ in the eucharist was spiritual, not physical
-
solidified Pope's grip on authority.
-
Macy (p. 114) says a major shift in who was allowed to conduct mass & eucharist occured. God was no longer accessible to all. He could only be invoked by the priest, as mediator between the baptized & the divine.
-
The Roman destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem changed the dynamics of the Jewish faith. There was no longer a central place where God dwelt. The Saducees no longer held any real power. God became more accessible to diaspora jews (and Christians.
-
The great French king was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, a direct snub at the Orthodox Church. On the brighter side, he spread peace & religion throughout much of Europe.
-
Established his monastery at Monte Cassino. Created a comprehensive "rule" to guide & govern, which has served as a model for many christians (not just monks) ever since. For me, the major issue is one that believes righteous living can be attained by adherence to a set of rules.
-
Perhaps as early as 775. "the most influential forgery in the history of the Catholic Church. It became the basis for the claims for the Papal monarchy in the later middle ages." Ferg. 377.
-
Operated under the Rule of Benedict.
Free election of the Abbot.
Worked to restrict private warfare.
Promoted celibacy. One effect was to eliminate inheritance of clerical positions by offspring.