Medieval Christianity: From Charlemagne to the Western Schism
Key Figures and Concepts
Early Middle Ages (c. 800-1050)
Leo III:
Pope who assumed the papacy in 795 and crowned Charlemagne on December 25, 800, restoring the Holy Roman Empire of the West.
Charlemagne:
Holy Roman Emperor of the West in the 9th century, who consolidated political authority within the empire.
Christian Politics:
Policy based on the good order of the Church and society.
Religious Institutions:
Institutions that included monasticism, cathedral and convent schools, and assistance to the faithful.
Read MoreThe Enlightenment and Religion: Disenchantment and Secularization
The Enlightenment and Religion
Introduction: The Disenchantment of the World
The Weberian expression “disenchantment of the world” seems particularly appropriate to describe the goal pursued by the Enlightenment. Religious tradition, presented as the ultimate source of legitimacy for virtually everything, sparked a radical debate during the Enlightenment. The French Enlightenment, in particular, reached unprecedented levels of radicalism in Western culture, engaging in an intense debate against the
Read MoreSt. Augustine: Faith, Reason, and the Two Cities
Reason and Faith
St. Augustine explored how humans come to know profound truths. He found Manichaeism unsatisfactory and skepticism self-defeating, as doubt implies the existence of at least doubt itself. This led him to accept minimal truths. Influenced by Christianity, he considered the possibility of sense-based knowledge about the world. St. Augustine, a thinking believer, recognized that faith and reason, while distinct, both contribute to humanity’s pursuit of divine truth. Reason supports
Read MoreLife and Teachings of Saint Augustine
Life of Saint Augustine
Early Life and Conversion
Augustine was born in Tagaste on November 13, 354. He attended school until he was sent to Madaura and then to Carthage for further studies. At 19, he began writing poetry, and at 26, he published a book. In 383, he traveled to Rome and opened a school, but later moved to Milan with his mother, seeking a Christian community. He was baptized in 387 and returned to Tagaste, where he divided his inheritance and founded a monastery. Three years later,
Read MoreMedieval Christian Philosophy: From Patristics to Scholasticism
Medieval Christian Philosophy
Historical Context
Medieval philosophy spans from the 5th century to the mid-15th century. Its doctrines were largely shaped by three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Christian philosophy, a subset of medieval philosophy, focused on God, the world, and humanity through the lens of Christian faith. It integrated classical philosophical heritage with the doctrines of the Old and New Testaments, primarily using the categories of Greek thinkers. Until
Read MoreAesthetics Throughout History: From Classical Greece to Contemporary Art
Aesthetics: A Human Preoccupation
The capture and communication of the aesthetics of objects has been a human preoccupation for centuries.
1. Greek and Christian Aesthetics
The Greek View:
Classical Greek aesthetics emphasized objectivity. Objects existed in their own natural realm, separate from humans. Beauty resided in the harmony of the object’s form and its adherence to natural laws.
Aristotle’s key principles:
- Clear delineation of form: precise and well-defined shapes.
- Proportion and mathematical