Interfaith Harmony and Cultural Exchange in Spain’s History
The Church’s New Role in a Changing World
With its declaration on religious freedom, the Church’s council endorsed the absolute independence of the Church from political powers and freedom of conscience for all citizens. This had a profound impact in Spain, where the Church supported the political transition of the late 1970s. Relinquishing any claim to privilege, the Church committed to societal action through witnessing its mission and providing aid. Simultaneously, the world embraced coexistence
Read MoreSt. Augustine: Philosophy, Theology, and the City of God
Aristotle
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)
Historical and Philosophical Context
The rise of Christianity coincided with the decline of the Greco-Roman world. Augustine lived during the 4th and 5th centuries under the Roman Empire, a period marked by population decline, ruralization, rigid social stratification (precursor to feudalism), and the increasing power of the army against barbarian invasions. The arts shifted from anthropomorphism to theocentrism, with music serving religious worship.
Read MoreEvolution of Law: From Roman Foundations to Medieval Spain
Paths in Roman Law
Rome was the watershed for the majority of Private and Public Law. In private law, there is unanimous agreement, and public law also requires recognition of its great merit. Through Greece, Egypt, and the peoples of the Near East, the written word emerged (History of power). During the early Roman Republic, tribes were governed by a paterfamilias (the oldest male ancestor of the tribe, holding the power of life and death, and also directing the family’s religious cult in a room
Read MoreMedieval Philosophy: Christianity’s Impact on Greek Thought
Medieval Philosophy: Christianity’s Influence
Christianity’s Impact on Greek Thought
Christianity introduced to medieval philosophy the concept of all men being equal and free. This differed greatly from Greek thought.
Idea Creation
The Christian belief that God created heaven and earth ex nihilo (from nothing) contrasted sharply with the Greek view. The Greeks did not contemplate the creation of the world in the same way. Philosophically, the concept of creation from nothing was a radical departure.
Read MoreSacraments of the Catholic Church: An Overview
Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Baptism
The Fact of Baptism
The word “baptism” comes from the Greek “baptizein,” meaning immersion in water. Ritual baths symbolize purification in many religions. Judaism, contemporary to Jesus, practiced several penitential washings, including those of the Baptist movement and the Essenes of Qumran.
On Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit descended, Peter preached the crucified and resurrected Jesus as Messiah and Lord. When asked, “What should we do?” Peter replied,
Read MoreThe Poem of the Cid: A Literary Analysis
The Poem of the Cid
Short Summary
This literary work is based on the banishment of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a historical figure. The poem is divided into three parts:
The Song of Exile
King Alfonso VI of Castile banishes El Cid, forcing him to leave his land. After passing through Burgos, he leaves his wife, Ximena, and his daughters at the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña before marching to Moorish lands. Through various escapades, he gains wealth and distributes it among his men, also sending a portion
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