Christianity in Medievel Times Essays

Christianity in Medievel Times Essays Christianity in Medievel Times Essay Christianity in Medievel Times Essay more true was the influence of the Catholic Church. The papacy was having more and more of an influence in olitical and military factors. To ensure that this political power would remain with the papacy, popes had to be seen as legitimate enforcers and rulers capable of taking command of armies and carry out acts of war. One important thing note is that when the Hundred Year started no kings were involved. It is also important to note that England won all the great battles, but it was France that ultimately won the war. Often popes used the so called theory of the Two Swords as an instrument against their enemies during the crusades. This theory connected both spiritual and emporal power propounded by Pope Gelasius I during the fifth century and in the twelfth century by Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard believed that Gelasian decree meant that the temporal sword was wielded for the good of the Catholic Church and translated therefore in this way: Both swords, that is, the spiritual and the material, belong to the Church, however, the latter is to be drawn for the Church and the former by the Church. The Spiritual Sword should be drawn by the hand of the priest; the material sword by the hand of the knight, but clearly at the bidding of the priest and at the command of the emperor. Once again the influence of religious beliefs here was eminent in medieval times. Calls for crusading were prominent in the latter stages which gave Christian believers hope of attaining salvation with their personal efforts in the crusades. The cross became the official symbol of Christianity and therefore was used in leading the Christian crusaders into battle and also used by the priest and bishops to bless those going into battle. The impact that thoughts and ideas had on the Middle Ages is obvious. Spiritual and religious beliefs were dominant over physical force and oppression because eople kept there faith and believed in a higher authority. There were wars and power changed hands from the Pope to the King. Popes were not only seen as divine but also held on high and viewed as a force to be reckoned with in terms of military power and bargaining strategy. The marriage bond and the family unit were all controlled and examined by the church. These concepts and ancient philosophies have survived and been carried through the centuries. The Christian church has survived because of its ability to both control and adapt. It has adapted by ncorporating other rituals and traditions, especially those of pagan origin into its own as can clearly be seen in such holidays as Christmas and Easter. It control can also be seen its ability to bless and manipulate those in power. Christianity today has an ever growing following with over five hundred denominations and it main political and religious fgures are still seen as divine by most Christian believers. Bibliography Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Confucious, last modified March 31 , 2013, accessed October 1, 2013, http://plato. stanford. du/entries/confucius/ Lansing, Carol nd Edward D. English, Editors. A Companion to the Medieval World Malden: Wiley- Blackwell Publishing Ltd. , 2009, Rist, Rebecca. The Papacy and Crusading in Europe, 1198-1245New York: contnuum Books, 2009 Norman Housley, Fighting for the Cross: Crusading to the Holy Land (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2008, 53-55. Bernard of Clairvaux, De consideratione, PL 182, col s 776-7. See Bernard of Clairvaux Five Books on Consideration. Advice to the Pope, trans. J. D. Anderson and E. T. Kennan (Kalamazoo, MI. 197), Book 4, 3. 7. P. 118. Luke 6:31, Holy Bible