BruceGore

The Medici Pope, Leo X, authorized the sale of indulgences, in part to raise money for the rebuilding of St. Peter's in Rome. More than any other single factor, it was this that sparked the reaction of Martin Luther, and triggered a series of events that would ultimately explode into European history as the Protestant Reformation. This discussion highlights the life of Giovanni de Medici, Pope Leo X, and also explores the remarkable career of the most famous artist of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, and his complicated relationship with the Medici family.

The explosion of new learning that dominated the Renaissance also brought with it new expressions of corruption in the highest levels of leadership in the church. The powerful voice of the Dominican monk, Girolamo Savonarola, resounded throughout Italy, and especially in Florence, calling people to a deeper commitment to a life of devotion and restraint. His voice was finally cut short, however, when the politics of the day turned against him. His legacy nevertheless persisted for years, and to this day he represents a powerful example of the deep influence of one courageous voice in a time of decline and decay.

The fifteenth century was filled with upheaval, and forces were at work in many quarters that would prepare the way for the Reformation. In Spain, Isabella and Ferdinand were successful in recovering all of the Iberian Peninsula from the Islamic Moors, and their children became important figures who tied Europe together in its various dynastic factions. The Hundred Years War raged between France and England, in a contest that would determine the history of those two powers for centuries to come. This conflict called forth one of the most remarkable individuals of all time, Joan of Arc, whose career is as mysterious as it is inspirational. This discussion covers these topics, summarizing the highlights, and noting the themes that shaped ensuing events. Hear the entire presentation at no cost under Church History at www.brucegore.com.

The heir and successor to John Wyclif, John Huss, carried on his tradition of affirming the simplicity of the gospel and challenging the corruption of the leadership of the Church. From his powerful preaching at the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, he argued for a return to the central truths of the New Testament. His growing influence led to his trial and execution by the very leaders he had so vigorously criticized, but by his death even greater forces were unleashed that would eventually erupt in the sweeping movement known as the Reformation.

The man often called the 'morning star' of the Reformation, John Wyclif, lived during the stormy Hundred Years War that raged between England and France. As the Pope threw his support behind the enemies of England, Wyclif's message resonated increasingly with many of his countrymen. More than politics, however, informed the life of this influential figure. His translation of the scriptures, and his deep study of their content, convinced Wyclif that the church had strayed from its central message and mission, and Wyclif courageously called for a renewed devotion to Christ and the scriptures, even though doing so put his life at great risk.

The waning years of the Crusades brought considerable skepticism, cynicism, and fragmentation to European Christianity, and the prospects for the church at the time seemed less than happy. It was at just this time, however, that one of the most striking geniuses of Christian history emerged and through his efforts a great deal of ground was recovered for the cause of Christ. Thomas Aquinas was, however, not only a profound thinker, but also a man of deep faith and devotion, which permeated all of his labors and made him one of the defining personalities of the late middle ages.

One of the most beloved personalities of Christian history, Francis of Assisi, started a movement that shaped the Christian conscience in a manner that continues to resonate through the ages. His devotion to Christ and to others left a mark and a standard for heartfelt compassion and service that has inspired countless millions to this day. In this brief summary, we have a chance to see the beginnings of this great servant of humanity, and reflect on how his example can lead each of us to seek out those opportunities to be an instrument of God's peace and grace.

The first hint of the movement that would become a protest against the decline of the central leadership of the Catholic Church in the late middle ages came with a little known character named Peter Waldo. His reading of the New Testament led him to the conviction that the church leaders had lost their way, and in simplicity of life and message, he attempted to call it back to its New Testament moorings. His followers, the Waldensians, persisted for centuries as a persecuted sect in Europe, but with unfailing vigilance the small group maintained their devotion to Christ and the purity of the gospel message as they understood it.

Most historians agree that the greatest Christian of the early 12th century was Bernard of Clairvaux, a man who excelled in all areas of Christian ministry and leadership. His powerful influence led to a renewed interest in and understanding of the humanity of Christ, and his deeply devotional emphasis served to recover an important part of Christian worship at a time when there had been considerable spiritual decline in the leadership of the Church.

The greatest Christian thinker between Augustine and Thomas Aquinas was undoubtedly St. Anselm, whose penetrating insights left a lasting contribution to the Christian understanding of the nature of God, and the work of Christ. Anselm's deep examination of Christian teaching, however, only tell half the story of this remarkable leader of the Church. In this presentation, we explore the rest of his story, which can only be characterized as high adventure and great courage in the face of difficult and challenging pressures.

The Anglo-Saxons had occupied Britain in the 600s, but in the years thereafter, they largely embraced the Christian faith, establishing a more peaceful civilization than had been the case previously. They were stunned in the early 800s as the Vikings invaded the same territory, throwing them back in violent waves of invasion and conquest. The dominant personality of the ninth century, Alfred the Great, met the challenge of the invading Danes, and opened the door to a new chapter of life in the British Isles, thus leaving a mark in history that would never be forgotten.

The greatest king of the Franks, Charlemagne, devoted his life to the task of living out a Christian ethic in the midst of the complicated politics of the early middle ages. While greatly expanding the Frankish kingdom, he at the same time established a new standard for educational opportunity, including both rich and poor, noble and common, male and female, in his vision for a culture in which the message of Christ would be carried throughout the regions under his influence. Charlemagne was not perfect, and his critics have often pointed out his failings, but on balance, given the nature of the times in which he lived, one can hardly help but be impressed with his achievements, and his consistent determination live according to the ethic of Christ.

The religion founded by Mohammed spread rapidly during the seventh century, finally reaching Spain and threatening Christian Europe and the Frankish kingdom. At the Battle of Tours, the Christian leader, Charles Martel, withstood the invasion and pushed the Islamic forces back into Spain where they remained for several hundred years. At about the same time, the missionary Boniface brought the gospel to Frisia and Saxony, regions of Gaul as yet untouched by the good news of Christ, and the same Charles Martel provided sustained support for Boniface's ministry for many years.

With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the domains of the former power fell into a patchwork of decentralized regions, with the Church serving as the only unifying influence. Within a few decades, however, a new political power arose in Gaul led by Clovis, the man who united the Franks and took control of most of the region that would eventually become France. About the same time, Pope Gregory sent the missionary monk Augustine to preach to the Angles and Saxons who had taken control of a major part of Britain.

When Patrick was kidnapped by Irish slavers in the year 405 a.d., he thought he would never see his home or family again, and his resentment toward the Irish was deep and strong. Over time, however, he came to love the Irish, and vowed that if ever freed from slavery, he would return to preach the gospel to the people he had once so deeply resented. His vision was realized, and for forty years, Patrick labored among the Irish, establishing a foundation for Christian understanding that would last for centuries after his death.

Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, bridged the period from Athanasius to Augustine. He was a stalwart defender of the affirmations of Nicea against Arian distortions, and a defender of the Church against political intrusion. He played a pivotal role in the events leading to the conversion of Augustine, and until Augustine, was the most articulate representative of the Christian faith in the world.

The dominant character of the fourth century of Christian history must be Athanasius, the man who not only championed the orthodox understanding of Christian teaching at the Council of Nicaea, but who also single-handedly defended it for the next 50 years against overwhelming pressure. This great Christian hero preserved the central doctrines of Christian theology so that for generations to come, his name was associated with the heart of Christian devotion and fortitude. His gravestone was marked 'contra mundum,' against the world, and in this he set a high and remarkable example for thousands who would come after him.

The Roman emperor Constantine changed the course of history by officially embracing the Christian message and by implementing a public policy favorable to the Christian movement. While his true motives have been questioned by some, history bears witness to the fact that at this moment, a dramatic shift took place in the history of the followers of Jesus, and a new chapter began in which the Christian movement became central to the policies of Rome and the West.

The second century of Christian history saw rapid growth in the Christian movement, as the fledgling church faced external political threats from Rome, combined with internal philosophical threats from heretical foes within. These pressures called forth the remarkable apologetical labors of men like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian. At the same time, the church was blessed with leaders who had been trained by the apostles themselves, and who provided a remarkable example of courage and confidence in the face of overwhelming resistance.

The destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans in 70 a.d. brought to definitive conclusion the Old Covenant era, and freed the fledgling Christian church from its tether to the city that had become, in the words of the Apocalypse, the figurative 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah.' While the interpretation of the book of Revelation remains controversial, it has always been the view of some that the colorful images of the last book of the Bible were intended to describe the final days of the 'harlot' city, 'Days of Vengeance,' as Jesus called them, while announcing the beginning of the New Covenant Era.

The Emperior Nero distinguished himself as the first ruler of Rome to authorize a state sponsored assault on the fledgling Christian movement. Aside from this, he represents one of the most unbalanced and vicious characters in the history of the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, during his reign the Christian message continued to spread, touching an ever increasing number of both Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world.

When the emperor Claudius reigned over Rome, the Christian church experienced some of its most important developments with respect to its early growth. The journeys of the Apostle Paul and the Council of Jerusalem combined to translate the Christian gospel into a message for all people, rather than a belief limited to the Jewish nation.

The gloomy Caesar Tiberius reigned over the empire during the single most important week in history - the week of Christian beginnings, commencing with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and culminating with his resurrection and ascension as king of the universe.

The New Testament begins with two "kings" of the Jewish people. Herod, who had been appointed by Rome, and Jesus, who had been appointed by God. The contest between them represented the culmination of a career in which Herod attempted to prove himself, but for all his achievements, his life ended in disaster and ignominy.

The Roman civil war that pitted the military power of Julius Caesar against the Senatorial power of Pompey resulted in the transformation of Roman government, paving the way for the first true Caesar of Rome, Augustus Caesar, under whose watch came the greatest of all human events, the birth of God's Son and the beginning of the new era of the gospel and the kingdom.