Medieval universities developed during the 12th-century Renaissance. The specific origins of many of the universities are vague, at best. A lot of them evolved from the cathedral schools Charlemagne developed during the Carolingian Renaissance and monastic schools. During the 8th and 9th centuries, there was a tremendous need for clergy. As zealous as some aspiring … More Medieval Universities
The 12th-century Renaissance was one of the multiple renaissances during the Middle Ages. It followed the Carolingian Renaissance which developed theological writings, historical manuscripts, and the cathedral schools; but it preceded the 15th-century Renaissance. Compared to its 15th-century counterpart which focused on literature, the 12th-century Renaissance focused on philosophy and science. After Rome was sacked … More The 12th-century Renaissance
Two of the most prominent 13th-century mendicant orders were the Franciscans and the Dominicans. They lived pious lives as traveling evangelicals. Poor Europeans were in dire need of hearing the Gospel, but a sense of exclusivity developed between the two classes. The mendicant orders developed to preach the Gospel to all classes and live by … More The Mendicant Orders
The Albigensians were a medieval religious sect that broke away from Catholicism. Their beliefs were an awkward merger between Satanic Manichaeism and Catholic Christianity. While they worshiped Jehovah and Christ on paper, they were also dualists like the Manicheans. In that regard, they believed in two gods. One was the incarnation of good, while the … More The Albigensians/Cathars
The Fourth Crusade (AD 1201-1204) was an unmitigated disaster. It was so chaotic that Pope Innocent Ⅲ excommunicated the Crusaders for their immorality. Their horrible decisions multiplied and caused a chain reaction of mistakes, tarnishing the reputation of all the Crusades. Christians were murdered by Christians during the onslaught, and at what cost? In the … More The Fourth Crusade (AD 1201-1204)
The Crusades were wildly misunderstood by the public following World War 2. Sir Steven Runcimen’s work, The History of the Crusades, denounced the wars to reclaim the Holy Land as all equally repugnant, disregarding the nuances of war. His take rose in popularity and became the cultural norm. Modern historians following the 1970s have attempted … More Three Crusade Misconceptions
Indulgences fell into disfavor by the Protestant Reformation because the Roman Catholic Church perverted them. There has been a large misconception about indulgences ever since then. They are not “free passes” to sin. The Christian does not obtain salvation by purchasing or engaging in an indulgence. It is necessary to understand what penance is to … More What Indulgences Are
The Great Schism of 1054 was more than a theological or cultural dispute within the Church. It was a civil war between East and West. Patriarch Michael Cerularious and Cardinal Humbert officially divided the Church into two factions, but the resentment between Constantinople and Rome did not develop overnight. It was a long process of … More The Great Schism of 1054
The seven sacraments are visible signs and seals of God’s grace. They are rites that allow people to feel the immaterial and invisible grace of God in a physical sense. While there are numerous ways to feel that divine love in an abstract sense, the Roman Catholic Church acknowledges seven sacraments: Baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist/Holy … More The Seven Sacraments
Christendom was a multinational society comprising the Christian community. It was a multi-ethnic brotherhood between all Christians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, gender, etc. But it was more than just a brotherhood. It was a single nation built up of various nations. Monks and bishops traveled between countries preaching. They were not missionaries to foreign … More Christendom
Asher Sisneros 