Genius of Mediaeval Christianity

Mediaeval Christianity is on one hand a continuation of ancient catholicism and on the other hand preparation for protestantism

Papacy, monasticism, and scholasticism were developed to their height and then attacked from within

Christianity started in a civilized people but now was being planted among barbarians

Christianity became a “training school” for infant nations

• This is why mediaeval Catholicism was so rigid, legalistic and ritualistic

The “dark ages” is an appropriate term if you look at the time period that the church found itself in - surrounded by barbarians and heathens. This is inappropriate if the church is given the blame

• The church gradually dispelled the darkness around it

• Monks and priests saved the classical lit from the Romans and the Scriptures and patristic writings

• Roman Catholics often call this period the ages of faith

  • Faith in this period was blind and unreasoning, like that of children

    • Legends that were absurd were accepted without question

  • The church controlled all of life from birth to death