1. The Rise of Christianity

2. The Christian Church
Christianity became official religion of Roman Empire around 313 A.D.
The Roman Empire officially fell around 500 A.D.
Slowly, like “Boiled Frog Syndrome”
Worship Jesus instead of emperor

3. The Christian Church Growth of church led to organization:
Pope (in Rome)
Cardinals
Archbishops
Bishops
Priests, Nuns, Lower Clergy

4. The Middle Ages, 500-1500 A.D. In 1050 A.D, Church split:
Roman Catholic
(Western Europe)
Orthodox Christian
(Eastern Europe)

5. Roman Catholic Church Became most wealthy and powerful force.
Owned most land and wealth
Held positions in governments
Controlled Christians’ lives through fear of eternal damnation.

6. Spread of Learning Church opened monasteries and universities.
Translated works of Greek philosophers.

7. Clash of Faith and Reason:
Aristotle: Use reason and logic to find truth.
Christians: Many truths based on pure faith.
Thomas Aquinas: Christian scholar
Faith and reason can mix: they both lead to the same truth.
God rules over an ordered universe.