Religion, Superstition Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe

|HIST208-13B (HAM) | |Religion, Superstition Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe | Early Medieval Period: Mid-5th – mid 9thC (c.450-850CE) Augustine died in 430 as the Vandals were besieging his city of Hippo. Some 20 years before, Rome had fallen. In the West the ancient empire was a thing of the past; in its place a variety of `barbarian kingdoms’, although for the most part considering themselves a part of the Roman Empire. New circumstances called for re-appraisal of the church: its position and purposes. A pragmatic response to changed†¦show more content†¦Catholicity unity are co-equal marks of true church along with holiness. 4. Augustine: developed and refined Optatus on the Donatists. Identified the Church as the body of Christ with the Catholic Church of his day, with its hierarchy and sacraments, and with its centre in Rome. Thus Augustine underlines catholicity: this is the distinguishing factor which marks the ‘true church’ from merely localised sects. 3 specific views of Augustine on the Church: i) Basically holds concept of the Christian society of Christ’s mystical body. [Christ has triple mode of existence: eternal Word; God-man mediator; the Church of which he is head the faithful the members.] ii) Church unity follows logically from fellowship of love. Members of one body; unity of belief - hence heresy a breach of unity, not just difference of opinion. Antithesis of love is the spirit that promotes schism. iii) On biblical grounds the Church is a community of both saints sinners. Separation only comes at final judgement. Therefore ‘two’ churches: the essential/invisible church contained within the outward empirical church. (To what extent did this distinction allow for the development of corruption within the empirical church?) Challenges to Primacy of Rome: The East on Rome Crucial question: Whether or not this undoubted primacy ofShow MoreRelatedWitchcraft And Superstition In Medieval Europe1654 Words   |  7 PagesWitchcraft and superstition in Medieval Europe The concept of witchcraft and superstition stretches over a long period of time. The idea became familiar around 560 B.C when the two old testaments denounced witches and the belief in them. The idea is said to have originated in Europe, rapidly spreading around the world. Medieval Europe was an era that solely believed in magic, witches and the supernatural. In the Middle Ages witchcraft was viewed as a heinous crime that was punishable by deathRead MoreEssay on Magic and Superstition in the Middle Ages3515 Words   |  15 PagesSuperstitions have influenced the lives of human beings perhaps since the beginning of mankind. For millennia, people have clung to beliefs and practices surrounding preternatural activities. 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