Medieval Christianity: Key Terms, Figures, and Movements
Key Theological and Ecclesiastical Terms
Prophetic Action
Action carried out by prophets to denounce things that were not aligned with God’s will.
Patriarch
The title given to the heads of the Eastern Churches.
Excommunication
Separation from the communion of the Church.
Episcopate
In this context, all the bishops of the Orthodox Church.
Inquisition
An ecclesiastical tribunal in charge of ensuring the purity of the faith.
Dualism
The doctrine that the universe is controlled by two antagonistic and irreducible
Read MoreDefining Moments in Early and Medieval Christian History
Foundations of the Early Church (310–451 AD)
Constantine: Edict of Milan (310 AD)
Issued by Constantine, this edict ended the persecution of all religions, particularly Christianity.
The Council of Nicaea (325)
This Church Council addressed the Arian crisis and the Divinity of Christ. It produced the Nicene Creed and established the Doctrine of the Trinity: One God, Three Persons (One Divine Ousia; Three Hypostases or Personae).
Key Figures in the Arian Controversy
- Arius: A priest who asserted, “There
Key Teachings on Unity, Wisdom, and Christian Conduct
Core Theological Themes
Unity in Christ
We belong to Christ; we are not divided.
The Paradox of the Cross
The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Warning Against Pride and Boasting
Paul warns the people of Corinth not to be inflated by pride. Boasting is identified as a “radical sin.”
God’s Mysterious Wisdom
God’s wisdom is mysterious and hidden; it is His plan for our salvation.
The Role of God’s Ministers
Ministers are the ones God has
Read MoreThe Six Pillars of Islamic Faith (Aqidah)
The Islamic Creed (Aqidah)
The Islamic creed (or Aqidah) consists mainly of the Six Pillars of Faith:
- Belief in Allah (God)
- Belief in His Angels
- Belief in His Revealed Books
- Belief in His Messengers
- Belief in the Day of Judgment (Resurrection)
- Belief in Divine Decree (Fate/Destiny), whether good or bad.
The Importance of Islamic Creed
- It is the foundation upon which Islamic legislation, principles, and rulings are built. A sound creed is essential to prevent corruption in Muslim behavior and deeds.
- Creed
Medieval Literature Analysis: Beowulf and Chaucer’s Characters
Beowulf: Paganism and Christian Faith in the Epic Poem
Beowulf is a medieval work of art that has survived to this day and remains very present in modern culture. It is an important work within the history and development of the English language, belonging to the period known as Old English. To be more exact, it was written during the Middle Ages (500–1500), a long period of time that lacks internal coherence and resulted in major social, historical, and linguistic change.
This poem presents a mix
Read MoreByzantine Mosaics: Iconography, Imperial Power, and the Golden Ages
Characteristics of Byzantine Iconography
The figures show a certain rigidity and monotony, but are very expressive in their symbolism, displaying an obvious disregard for the laws of nature and space. They are elongated and suggest a certain dehumanization.
The Iconographic Program (Hermeneia)
The new iconographic types symbolically suit a preset program (the Hermeneia), assigned to different parts of the temple:
- The Pantocrator (Christ in Majesty blessing) in the dome.
- The Tetramorph (four evangelists)