Synopses & Reviews
From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. This book explores how the Church took over spiritual control of Western Europe in the Middle Ages to become the very foundation of life--setting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits. Covering the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation, this account is structured in three chronological blocks: the gradual development of unity within the Western Church up to the eleventh century; the centralization phase between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries; and the break-up of the centralization of power in the later Middle Ages. Organizational developments and changes in spirituality and doctrine are examined, and the history of the papacy is situated in the wider context of changes in both ecclesiastical and lay society. Intellectual developments and the rise of heresy--at both the elite and popular levels--are also considered in a telling exploration of the mental world of medieval Christendom.
John A. F. Thomson teaches at the University of Glasgow. From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. Western Church in the Middle Ages explores how the Church took over spiritual control of Western Europe in the Middle Ages to become the very foundation of lifesetting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits.
Covering the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation, this account is structured in three chronological blocks: the gradual development of unity within the Western Church up to the eleventh century; the centralization phase between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries; and the break-up of the centralization of power in the later Middle Ages. Organizational developments and changes in spirituality and doctrine are examined, and the history of the papacy is situated in the wider context of changes in both ecclesiastical and lay society. Intellectual developments and the rise of heresyat both the elite and popular levelsare also considered in a telling exploration of the mental world of medieval Christendom.
From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. Western Church in the Middle Ages explores how the Church took over spiritual control of Western Europe in the Middle Ages to become the very foundation of lifesetting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits."[A] solid survey of the medieval Church from the fifth to the early sixteenth century . . . The appendices, particularly useful for the introductory level, include a table of important events, a list of popes from 312 to 1517, and a glossary. The bibliography provides a good overview of scholarly works on the medieval Church."The Medieval Review
"An excellent survey. Very readable and comprehensive."Robert Clouse, Indiana State University
"An excellent survey useful as a textbook in medieval church history."E. Ferguson, Abilene Christian University
"This book contains a wealth of detail and anecdotal evidence. The style is transparent and highly readable."Jim Halverson, Judson College
"An excellent overview of the important spiritual, intellectual and institutional developments in the church. Written in an accessible style for students."Ronald K. Delph, Eastern Michigan University
Review
"A...solid survey of the medieval Church from the fifth to the early sixteenth century....The appendices, particularly useful for the introductory level, include a table of important events, a list of popes from 312 to 1517, and a glossary. The bibliography provides a good overview of scholarly works on the medieval Church."
The Medieval Review "An excellent survey. Very readable and comprehensive."Robert Clouse, Indiana State University
"An excellent survey useful as a textbook in medieval church history."E. Ferguson, Abilene Christian University
"This book contains a wealth of detail and anecdotal evidence. The style is transparent and highly readable."Jim Halverson, Judson College
"An excellent overview of the important spiritual, intellectual and institutional developments in the church. Written in an accessible style for students."Ronald K. Delph, Eastern Michigan University
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Review
"A...solid survey of the medieval Church from the fifth to the early sixteenth century....The appendices, particularly useful for the introductory level, include a table of important events, a list of popes from 312 to 1517, and a glossary. The bibliography provides a good overview of scholarly works on the medieval Church."—
The Medieval Review "An excellent survey. Very readable and comprehensive."—Robert Clouse, Indiana State University
"An excellent survey useful as a textbook in medieval church history."—E. Ferguson, Abilene Christian University
"This book contains a wealth of detail and anecdotal evidence. The style is transparent and highly readable."—Jim Halverson, Judson College
"An excellent overview of the important spiritual, intellectual and institutional developments in the church. Written in an accessible style for students."—Ronald K. Delph, Eastern Michigan University
Synopsis
From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the greatest religions the world has ever known. How the church took over spiritual control of Western Europe to become the very foundation of medieval life--setting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits--is the guiding inquiry at the heart of this book. Covering the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation, this account is structured in three chronological blocks: the gradual development of unity within the Western Church up to the eleventh century; the centralization phase between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries; and the break-up of the centralization of power in the later Middle Ages. Organizational developments and changes in spirituality and doctrine are examined, and the history of the papacy is situated in the wider context of changes in both ecclesiastical and lay society. Intellectual developments and the rise of heresy--at both the elite and popular levels--are also considered in a telling exploration of the mental world of medieval Christendom.
Synopsis
From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. This book explores how the Church took over spiritual control of Western Europe in the Middle Ages to become the very foundation of life--setting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits. Covering the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation, this account is structured in three chronological blocks: the gradual development of unity within the Western Church up to the eleventh century; the centralization phase between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries; and the break-up of the centralization of power in the later Middle Ages. Organizational developments and changes in spirituality and doctrine are examined, and the history of the papacy is situated in the wider context of changes in both ecclesiastical and lay society. Intellectual developments and the rise of heresy--at both the elite and popular levels--are also considered in a telling exploration of the mental world of medieval Christendom.
Synopsis
From its origins in the ancient world as a rival to traditional paganism, Christianity has grown to become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. This book explores how the Church took over spiritual control of Western Europe in the Middle Ages to become the very foundation of life--setting a moral agenda for all of society and dominating its intellectual pursuits.
About the Author
John A. F. Thomson is at University of Glasgow.
Table of Contents
Preface
Abbreviations
Section 1 The Age of Convergence (c.450-1050)
The Spread and Consolidation of Christianity
Religion and the Idea of Holiness
The Rise of the Papacy
The Church in the Localities
Belief and Worship
Section 2 The Age of Unification (1050-1270)
Gregorian Reform - the Clerical Order
Gregorian Reform - Popes and the Lay World
Regular Ideals in a Changing World
Heresy and Orthodoxy
Logic
Theology and Law
Authority and Government
Section 3 The Age of Divergence (1270-1515)
From victory to captivity
Schism and Councils
Intellectual and Theological Controversies
Piety-Orthodox and Heretical
The Age of Concordats
The Church in the Early Sixteenth Century
Appendices
Bibliography.