The Late Medieval PapacyBoniface VIII (1294-1303)

Benedict XI (1303-4)

Beginning of the Avignon PapacyClement V (1305-14)John XXII (1316-34)

Benedict XII (1334-42)Clement VI (1342-52)Innocent VI (1352-62)

Urban V (1362-70)Gregory XI (1370-78)

The Papal Schism Roman Popes Pisan Popes Avignon Popes Urban VI (1378-89) Clement VII (1378-94) Boniface IX (1389-1404) Innocent VII (1404-6) Alexander V (1409-10) Gregory XII (1406-15) John XXIII (1410-15) Benedict XIII (1394-1423)

COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE REUNITES PAPACY (1415-1417)The Renaissance Papacy

Martin V (1417-31) through Leo X (1513-21)

The Renaissance

• Meaning of term = French for “re-birth” or “born again”

• “Humanism” – from Latin humanitas – emphasizes influence of the humanities on culture (literature, philosophy, fine arts)

• Impetus – Classical learning languishing in chains of Roman dogma – interest in humanities and sciences grows in towns – restless enthusiasm to break loose from dogma and embrace new freedom to pursue humanistic learning

Renaissance Spirit

Spirit of the age: “As knowledge grew, fear decreased; men thought less of worshiping the unknown, and more of overcoming it. Every vital spirit was lifted up with a new confidence; barriers were broken down; there was no bound now to what man might do” (Durant, Philosophy, 105)

Key Contributors to Renaissance

Leaders remain loyal to RCCDante Alighieri (1265-1321)Tetrarch (1304-74)Manuel Chrysoloras of Constantinople

Spread of Renaissance Humanism

In ItalyIn the Roman ChurchIn FranceIn EnglandIn GermanyIn Holland

Renaissance Humanistsand Evangelicals

Join in opposition to Scholasticism and deficiencies of papacy – heading for “Y” in the road

Humanists revive study of biblical languages, emphasize and develop literal interpretation

Nicholas of Lyra (1265-1349)Renaissance Humanists: promote textual

criticism – love for scientific investigation – individualism

Spread of the Written Word

Invention of printing press in 1446 by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, Germany (1400-1468)

Crusades open trade routes allowing paper to arrive from Egypt

Luther: “Printing is God’s latest and best work to spread the true religion throughout the world”

Printing Press

Reforming Evangelicals

Peter de Bruys (d. ca. 1140) – Petrobusians

Peter Waldo – WaldensesJohn Wyclif (d. 1384) – LollardsJohn Huss (1369-1415)

John Wyclif(d. 1384)

Wyclif Sends Out Preachers

Reforming Evangelicals

Petrobusians- Peter de Bruys (d. ca. 1140)Waldenses- Peter WaldoJohn Wyclif (d. 1384) - LollardsJohn Huss (1369-1415)

John Hus(1369-1415)

Late Medieval Mysticism

Mystic MovementDominican John Eckhard (1260-1327)John Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)Gerard Groote (1340-84)Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471)John of WesselGirolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola(1452-1498)

State of Roman Catholicismat Close of Medieval Era

• Persecuting Church• “Compared with the persecution of heresy [by the

RCC] . . . the persecution of Christians by [pagan] Romans . . . was a mild and humane procedure” (Will Durant)

• Corrupt Leadership• Materialistic Greed• Sensuality• Lack of Spiritual Leadership• Degenerating Theology

“Compared with the persecution of heresy [by the RCC] . . . the persecution of Christians by [pagan] Romans . . . was a mild and humane procedure.”- Will Durant

Veneration of Mary

“Mother of God” – official title bestowed 431 at Council of Ephesus

Mary increasingly viewed as mediator interceding with the Son for mercy on sinners

“Queen of Heaven” – 13thC designation“Immaculate Conception” – Mary born free

of original sin (declared by Pope Pius IX, 1854)

Veneration of Mary

“Perpetual Virgin” (Jesus’ “brothers” = cousins)

“Assumption” – taken bodily into heaven (Pope Pius XII in 1950)

Pope John Paul II referred to Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” and as “Co-Operator in the Redemption” (not yet official)

Sacramental System of Salvation

Sacrament – Latin sacramentum meaning “sign” or “symbol” – sign of grace conveyed to sinner

Concept- “full of grace” (“Treasury of Merits”)

Mortal SinsVenial sins

Seven Sacraments

BaptismConfirmationEucharistPenance (punishment)Holy MatrimonyHoly OrdersExtreme Unction

Purgatory

• Concept – Purgatory a temporal place or state between heaven and hell where punishment is suffered by those who die in the grace of God, but who lack sufficient grace to enter his presence

• Indulgences – length of punishment can be reduced by receiving indulgences from the pope

• Defense – 2 Maccabees 12:39-45; Matt 12:3lff; 1 Cor 3: 11-15

• Abuses Widespread – significant source of income for Church

• Denial of Priesthood of Believer

Corrupt Ecclesiastical Politics

NepotismSimonyPluralismAbsenteeismGranting special exemptions from Church

LawIndulgences

Indulgences• From sinner’s perspective = the receipt (usually

purchase) from the Church of absolution (in varying degrees) from the temporal suffering necessitated by sin

• Sin absolved by priest must receive temporal penalty and that penalty can be diminished by application of grace from the Treasury of Merits

• Works may include: visit to holy place, repetition of assigned prayers, performance of good works, a monetary gift to the Church – in some way a good deed is substituted for a sinful deed or attitude

• At Dawn of Reformation – Pope Leo X (1513-1521) revived the Jubilee indulgence purporting to use all revenues to fight Turks in East and help sinners in West – his actual program was to finish construction on Basilica of St Peter in Rome

Vatican City

Letter of Indulgence