Medieval Review
• The Birth, Maturation, and Climax of Christendom.
• European Christendom– Born– Matures– Is sent out to the
World
Then, Why Reformation?
• Reformation or Reformations?– The Reformation or a
reformation?• Charlemagne• Gregory VII• Innocent III• Jan Hus
• Semper reformanda• The Church always
needs reformation– Errors need to be corrected– Evils need to be righted– Theology and Church need
to adapt
Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: Church Leadership
• Immorality• Sale of Church Offices• Pluralism• Control of the Papacy
– Papal Ambition– Spread of Papal authority– Involvement in secular
matters
• Failure to Reform– Conciliarism– Innocent III and Gregory
VII
Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: The Romanization of the Church
• De-emphasis of local theologies
• Clericalization of the faith
• Latin emphasis• Financial issues• Investiture of Bishops
Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: Encroachment of Roman Theologies
• Clerical Celibacy• Purgatory• Idolatry
– Veneration of Icons– Prayer to Saints– Relics
• Indulgences• Communion
– Utraquism– Infrequency
Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: General Issues
• Superstition• Semi-Pelagianism• Nationalism• Preaching/Teaching
– General Bible and Theological Knowledge Lacking
Treatment of Reformers
• Rejection of Councils• Hus• Wycliffe• Savonarola• Hard-line Response
of Constance• Failure to address
Luther