The Gospel in the Medieval Church

Authors

Carl A. Volz, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

6-1-1969

Document Type

Article

Keywords

grace, faith, medieval, augustinian monks, pauline, christianity, eucharist, forgiveness, predestination, reformation, reformers

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

A curious phenomenon of Protestant and Lutheran historiography since the 17th century has been a studied neglect of the millennium labeled by Renaissance scholars as the "Middle Ages." One reason for this indifference lies in the popular notion that the Reformation was preceded by a thousand years of sub-Christian superstition during which the strong Pauline accent of justification by grace through faith on account of Christ was almost totally ignored. By coloring these centuries dark, the reformers tend to stand in bolder relief as heroic men of God who appeared to correct long-standing abuses in the church. The more sharply the contrast is drawn, the more heroic the reformers appear.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Volz, Carl A. (1969) "The Gospel in the Medieval Church," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 40, Article 38.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol40/iss1/38