Puritanism: Beliefs and Reflections in Literature
Puritanism in Literature
Puritanism, a strict Calvinist form of Protestant Christianity, distinguished itself from mainline Christianity through five principal beliefs. These beliefs formed the Puritans’ path to salvation and created a religion with a strict and rigid morality.
Original Sin and Limited Atonement
For the Puritans, Original Sin brought total depravity to all humanity. Because of Original Sin, all humans are destined to die and suffer eternal damnation. Unlike Catholics and Christians
Read MoreMedieval Europe: Romanesque & Gothic Art, Crusades, Monastic Life
Romanesque Art
Romanesque art was the first international artistic style, affecting all of Europe. In religious art, it expressed the importance of Jesus Christ in history and the influence of the Church.
- Painting: No perspective. Polychrome colors. Frescoes (painted directly on the wall), tables (on wood), and miniatures (book illustrations).
- Sculpture: Used symbolism on the covers of churches and in the capitals. Scenes of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
- Architecture: Churches of pilgrimage and monasteries.
Saint Augustine’s Philosophy: Faith, Reason, and Humanity
1. Relationships Between Faith and Reason
In principle, faith and reason are two opposing concepts:
- Faith: Believing in what we *do not* see. It can be the basis for a theory to be proven.
- Reason: A basis founded on experiments and demonstrations.
Saint Augustine tries to reconcile faith and reason, attempting to convince people that the Christian religion is the best and providing arguments to support its believers. He links the advantages obtained over other religions to the prevailing belief that
Read MoreWilliam of Ockham: Philosophy and Political Thought in the 14th Century
William of Ockham: A Revolutionary Thinker of the 14th Century
Life and Context
William of Ockham (1298-1349) lived during a time of profound change. Scholastic philosophy was in crisis, medieval political and religious structures were beginning to decompose, and significant changes were laying the foundation for a new era. Ockham’s work marked a turning point in Western philosophy. Instead of continuing to renew earlier systems, he undertook a systematic and radical critique of everything that had
Read MoreSaint Thomas Aquinas: Historical and Philosophical Context
Saint Thomas Aquinas: Historical, Sociocultural, and Philosophical Context
The Middle Ages: A Time of Transition
During the Middle Ages, the former Roman Empire existed in three distinct sociocultural forms: the Byzantine Empire, the Western Christian kingdoms, and the Islamized territories.
In 711, Muslims entered Europe through the Iberian Peninsula but were halted in the Pyrenees at the Battle of Poitiers in 732. The Christian kingdoms fought against the Muslims, and from the 11th to the 13th centuries,
Read MoreSaint Augustine of Hippo: Life, Philosophy, and Theology
Saint Augustine of Hippo: Life and Historical Context
Born in Tagaste in 354 AD, Saint Augustine lived during the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Following the death of Theodosius, the empire was divided in two. Barbarians resided both inside and outside the Roman frontiers. The empire suffered a significant economic crisis and witnessed the sack of Rome by the Visigoths.
Historical Context
- Religious Context: In 380 AD, Christianity became the official religion of the empire. The influence of