Beowulf: Heroic Code, Christian Faith, and Kingship
Beowulf’s Path to Kingship: Wisdom and Purpose
Hrothgar’s Praise: “The Lord in his wisdom sent you those words…”
This is Hrothgar speaking to Beowulf, telling him that he is worthy of being king. He describes Beowulf as “impressive in speech,” which relates to the characteristics of a true hero—not only a warrior and leader but also a polished speaker. This quote also has a direct connection to the use of Christian sensibility in Anglo-Saxon epics from the first line.
Beowulf’s Declaration: “I
Read MoreCatholic Social Teaching: Foundations, History, and Application
What is Catholic Social Teaching (CST)?
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a set of reflections in modern times embracing different aspects of social life. It emerged in 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII. It is a teaching also addressed to non-believers.
Doctrine and Texts
CST has two realities:
- Doctrine: The set of teachings that the Church reflects upon.
- Texts: Written documents that religious institutions create to spread the Word (the Gospel and Church teachings).
Sources of Catholic
Read MoreStoic Morning Meditation: Dealing with Others and Finding Inner Peace
Morning Preparation: Dealing with Difficult People
Begin the morning by saying to yourself: I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful, the arrogant, the deceitful, the envious, the unsocial. All these things happen to them by reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil.
But I, who have seen the nature of the good—that it is beautiful—and of the bad—that it is ugly—and the nature of him who does wrong—that it is akin to me, not only of the same blood or seed, but that it participates
Read MoreThe Renaissance Humanism Movement and the Protestant Reformation
The Humanism Movement
Humanism was a movement of cultural renewal that originated in Italy in the fifteenth century and spread across Europe in the first half of the sixteenth century. Its main characteristics are:
Key Characteristics of Humanism
- The rejection of the medieval mindset focused on the idea of God and the exaltation of the human being. Humanists considered that, endowed with reason and freedom, humanity established a method to search for knowledge and truth based on the defense of reflection
Medieval Christianity: Key Terms, Figures, and Movements
Key Theological and Ecclesiastical Terms
Prophetic Action
Action carried out by prophets to denounce things that were not aligned with God’s will.
Patriarch
The title given to the heads of the Eastern Churches.
Excommunication
Separation from the communion of the Church.
Episcopate
In this context, all the bishops of the Orthodox Church.
Inquisition
An ecclesiastical tribunal in charge of ensuring the purity of the faith.
Dualism
The doctrine that the universe is controlled by two antagonistic and irreducible
Read MoreDefining Moments in Early and Medieval Christian History
Foundations of the Early Church (310–451 AD)
Constantine: Edict of Milan (310 AD)
Issued by Constantine, this edict ended the persecution of all religions, particularly Christianity.
The Council of Nicaea (325)
This Church Council addressed the Arian crisis and the Divinity of Christ. It produced the Nicene Creed and established the Doctrine of the Trinity: One God, Three Persons (One Divine Ousia; Three Hypostases or Personae).
Key Figures in the Arian Controversy
- Arius: A priest who asserted, “There