Unit 3B: The Western Church

AP World History

Summit High School

Mr. Sularz

The Spread of Christianity

The Significant role of the Medieval church

• Only force of unity in Western Europe. It provided basic services as well as spiritual guidance to all.

• Shaped the everyday life of one’s worldview and place in medieval society. Religion taken seriously.

• Grew in political power:• Maintain unity in doctrine via a hierarchy• Largest landowner & a wealthy institution• Influence the secular world (politics) by challenging the

authority of kings (state) to keep the church free from interference by feudal lord.

Monastic movement

• Primary instrument of conversion

• Saint Benedict & the Benedictine Rue

• Life in a Monastery

• Function of the Monastery

• Impact of the Monastic Movement

The Church in medieval Life

• Role of the Village Church• Social & worship center

• Pride of the village

• Supported

• Daily Life

• Role of the Village Priest• Church representative

• Sacraments & rituals

• Spiritual Guide

Worldly power of the church

• Hierarchy of the Church• Pope

• Papal supremacy

• High Clergy – bishops, etc.

• Role in Feudalism• Linked with secular rulers

• Pushed for an end to feudal warfare (very un-christian)

• Religious Authority• Church gave

sacraments & individual faith = salvation

• Root out heresy

• Cannon Laws

• Excommunication

• Interdict

New Preaching Orders

• EX. The Franciscans• Who is St. Francis?

• What was his message?

• How would you characterize St. Francis of Assisi, religious reformer or heretic? Explain the arguments for each side.

• Irony of the movement• Loyalty to the order for

spiritual guidance, not the church

• Not a rejection of spirituality but how hierarchy had interpreted & manipulated Christian dogma

The need for Reform• Entanglement with

feudalism lead to problems & lesser spiritual authority

• Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085)• Letters on Secular &

Ecclesiastical Authority

• Christendom

• Investiture Controversy with King Henry IV of Germany

• Who chooses church officials?

• Cluniac Movement

• Spiritual & administrative reform full of religious vigor

Document Work – Medieval Church

• Read & analyze Documents #1-9. What is the main idea of each? What is the Point of View for each?

• In groups of three, group the documents in three – four different ways.