1. Medieval Europe
Chapter 8

2. Medieval Church Rome has fallen – order & stability are gone.
Rome’s former culture is in ruin (trade, science, learning)
Roman Catholic Church remained as the one stable institution which covered all of Europe
Church becomes the center of medieval life

3. Medieval Church Church has two meanings: Local church
Universal “Body of Christ” (Eph. 1:22-23)
Early Christians describe the spiritual church as “catholic” = means universal
Church calls noteworthy Christians = saints

4. Medieval Church
Rome became epicenter of Roman Church (along with Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople)
Roman bishop was one source of stability left.
Bishop Leo I (Rome) persuades the Hun leader Attila to spare the city. Leo I is called papa or pope. (“Father-protector”)

5. Medieval Church
Petrine Theory: that Jesus built the foundation of the church on Peter (Matt 16:18-19). Thus, Peter is the first bishop.
Middle Ages is often called “age of faith” – religion dominates society.
Most people could not read; relied on clergy to teach & interpret the Bible
Clergy vs. Laity

6. Medieval Church
Vicarius Filii Dei = the one who takes the place of the Son of God.
Catholic Church argued that traditions of the church had equal authority as Scripture
Bible is translated into Latin by Jerome = called “Vulgate”

7. Medieval Church Roman “Sacramental System”
The church has exclusive right to administer the sacraments = acts that automatically grants grace
Baptism – baby baptized
Confirmation – enter the church fellowship
Penance – ask for forgiveness of sins
Holy Eucharist – wine & bread becoming the blood and body of Christ = “transubstantiation”
5. Matrimony - marriage
6. Holy Orders – becoming a priest
7. Last rites - death

8. Medieval Church
Benedict of Nurisa (Father of Western Monasticism) creates Benedictine Rule
Daily activities of manual labor, study, religious services, prayer
Benedict monks took vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience to the leader

9. Medieval Church Patrick: 1st missionary to Ireland
Taken captive as a slave to Ireland
Uses shamrock (clover) to explain Trinity
Boniface: missionary to Germany
Denis: missionary to France
Has his head chopped off only to pick it up and walk 10km while preaching
Gregory I “the Great” – first true pope