A People’s History of A People’s History of Christianity: The Other Christianity: The Other

Side of the StorySide of the Story

Illustration of a miner in ancient Rome, a “fossor,” one who dug the catacombs.

In gratitude for the saving of the 33 Chilean miners this week.

A People’s History of A People’s History of Christianity: The Christianity: The Other Side of the Other Side of the

StoryStory

Ch. 6: Ethics: Who is my Ch. 6: Ethics: Who is my Neighbor?Neighbor?

(pp. 121-149)(pp. 121-149)

Part II: The Part II: The CathedralCathedral – – Medieval Christianity, 500-Medieval Christianity, 500-

14501450

D.B.B.’s Methodology: D.B.B.’s Methodology: Contemporary situations echo Contemporary situations echo

historical oneshistorical ones “It isn’t a regular calendar,” explains the

present-day pastor to his congregation. “It’s a Church Year calendar…” (p. 49- (p. 49-50)50)

A “quick death” (modern) vs. a “good A “quick death” (modern) vs. a “good death” (medieval), mentioning Jean death” (medieval), mentioning Jean Gerson’s Gerson’s Art of Dying WellArt of Dying Well (1400s). (p. (1400s). (p. 119)119)

Too much emphasis on Too much emphasis on saving the soul (Gerson)?saving the soul (Gerson)?

Did our salvation rely too much on Did our salvation rely too much on the ministry of “big C Clergy”?the ministry of “big C Clergy”?

Was “saving our soul” merely at the “hour of our death” too little too late?

What about the deeds of What about the deeds of one’s own life? One’s love of one’s own life? One’s love of

neighbor?neighbor?

The “Lyke Wake Dirge” is not official Church teaching.

It reflects an awareness among the small-c Christians in medieval England of the “ethics of reciprocity.”

It’s fanciful, but it’s based on Gospel values. It asks “Did you love your neighbor as yourself?”

It suggests that our acts of kindness will come back to help us in our passage to the afterlife.

A Lyke Wake Dirge

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,   —Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,   And Christe receive thy saule.  When thou from hence away art past,           —Every nighte and alle, To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last;   And Christe receive thy saule. 

A Lyke Wake Dirge

If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon, 

  —Every nighte and alle,  

Sit thee down and put them on; 

  And Christe receive thy saule.

 

If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane 

  —Every nighte and alle, 

The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;  

  And Christe receive thy saule.

A Lyke Wake Dirge

From Whinny-muir when thou may'st pass,   —Every nighte and alle, To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last;   And Christe receive thy saule.     If ever thou gav o' thy silver an' gold,  —Every nighte and alle, At Brig o' Dread thou'll find foothold,  And Christe receive thy saule.

A Lyke Wake Dirge

Bud if silver an' gold thou never gav nean, —Every nighte and alle,Thou'll doan, doon tumble towards Hell flames, And Christe receive thy saule. 

From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,   —Every nighte and alle, To Purgatory fire thou com'st at last;    And Christe receive thy saule.  

A Lyke Wake Dirge

If ever thou gavest meat or drink,    —Every nighte and alle, The fire sall never make thee shrink;   And Christe receive thy saule. If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,   —Every nighte and alle,  The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;    And Christe receive thy saule

A Lyke Wake Dirge

This ae nighte, this ae nighte, 

  —Every nighte and alle, 

Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,  

   And Christe receive thy saule.

Old Wine in a New Old Wine in a New WineskinWineskin

Listen to this musical setting of the Listen to this musical setting of the “Lyke Wake Dirge” by Benjamin “Lyke Wake Dirge” by Benjamin Britten, as the 4th mvmt. (“Dirge”) Britten, as the 4th mvmt. (“Dirge”) from his from his Serenade, Op. 31, for Tenor, Serenade, Op. 31, for Tenor, Horn, and StringsHorn, and Strings (1943). (1943).

Phases in the “reconquest” of Spain by Christian armies, 1037-1270.

But was this conviviencia more a myth than a reality? David Nirenberg, author of Communities of violence; Persecution of Minorities in the Middle ages (Princeton U. P., 1996), thinks so.

Another “modern / medieval” parallel drawn by D.B. Bass:

Dispensationalism now vs. then.

• Current “Pop” dispensationalist culture (the “rapture”) is found in Hal Lindsey’s books (p. 127-28)

But does Ms. Bass overlook Teilhard de Chardin?

He’s not mentioned in the present book, but he is a really good example of a 20th-c. dispensationalist thinker.

The mandala at the top depicts the living fire of the Creator God.

Adam merely smells the flower without experiencing it fully.

He sinks into the darkness below, in which the six spheres depict the six days of creation.

The head emerging from the lump of clay represents the creation of man (Adam). The old man with red skin may represent a human ancestor.

Jesus ascends from Mary’s womb (at the bottom), driving back the darkness with the flame of God’s divine light.

An “Illumination” of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179):

“The Six Days of Creation Renewed”

Enemies as Neighbors?

Although early Christians were initially pacifists, they capitulated to the military norms of Roman society with the conversion of Constantine. (p. 132-33)  

After Augustine’s rationale for a “just war,” Christian pacifism lost its following.  Medieval Christians simply “assumed warfare.” (p. 134-35)

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) argued for three conditions to justify war (see. p.134-35), and put many restrictions on violence and on the attitude of the combatants.  He “constructed a much more charitable view of warfare than the Christian crusaders who sacked Jerusalem had.”  But was he being naive?

Both St Francis of Assisi (d.1226) and St. Dominic (d. 1221) lived while the Pope was waging the Albigensian Crusade in France (1209-1229). Dominic supported the violence.

Pope Innocent III sought to stamp out Catharism, a lay movement of Christians a.k.a. Albigensian-ism, in cooperation with the French monarchy, which used the occasion to expand its territory and influence in the south.

The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) followed.

Big-C Christianity on the move again!

In August 1209 the crusaders captured the small village of Servian and headed for Beziers, arriving on July 21. They surrounded the city, called the Catholics within to come out, and demanded that the Cathars surrender. Both groups refused.

The city fell the following day. The entire population was slaughtered and the city burned to the ground. Contemporary sources give estimates of the number of dead ranging between fifteen and sixty thousand. The latter figure appears in the Papal Legate Arnaud-Amaury's report to the Pope. The news of the disaster quickly spread and afterwards many settlements surrendered without a fight.

The Albigensian Crusade: exceptional cruelty

Right: St. Dominic depicted as presiding at an Auto da Fe (“act of faith” trial) against

the Cathars / Albigensians

The next major target was Carcassonne. The city was well fortified, but vulnerable, and overflowing with refugees. The crusaders arrived on August 1, 1209. The siege did not last long. By August 7 they had cut the city's water supply. Raymond-Roger sought negotiations but was taken prisoner while under truce, and Carcasonne surrendered on August 15. The people were not killed, but were forced to leave the town — naked according to Peter of les Vaux-de-Cernay. "In their shifts and breeches" according to another source.

Simon de Montfort now took charge of the Crusader army, and was granted control of the area encompassing Carcassonne, Albi, and Béziers. After the fall of Carcassonne, other towns surrendered without a fight. Albi . . .

The Albigensian Crusade: exceptional cruelty

Right: Fortress-like Cathedral of Albi

Cathar most likely originated from Greek καθαροί (Katharoi), meaning "pure ones", a term related to the word Katharsis or Catharsis, meaning "purification". Albigensians (Albigeois) arose at the end of the 12th century, mentioned by a French chronicler in 1181. The name refers to the town of Albi, northeast of Toulouse.

Cathars, in general, formed an anti-sacerdotal party in opposition to the Catholic Church, protesting what they perceived to be the moral, spiritual and political corruption of the Church. They claimed an Apostolic succession from the founders of Christianity, and saw Rome as having betrayed and corrupted the original purity of the message, particularly since Pope Sylvester I accepted the Donation of Constantine (which at the time was believed to be genuine).... they usually say of themselves that they are good Christians, ... hold the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel as the apostles taught ... ..they talk to the laity of the evil lives of the clerks and prelates of the Roman Church...

The Cathars (p. 139-  ) -- Were They Really That Bad?

The Cathars (p. 139-  ) -- Were They Really That Bad?Should they have been persecuted by the Church?

The Cathars (p. 139-  ) -- Were They Really That Bad?Notice the tonsured heads in this depiction

of Hell!

Hans Memling, Last Judgment, 1460s

Photo of a group of Jewish children who were sheltered in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a town in southern France, August 1942.

A modern French parallel to the Cathars ca. 1200 might be the protestant community in the French town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, led by Pastor André Trocmé during WW II. They were prophetic Christian dissidents.

Thank goodness for St. Francis, friend of nature & animals!

Canticle of the Sun -- English Translation:

(All) Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and

all blessing.To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your

name.

(M) Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,especially through my lord Brother Sun,who brings the day; and you give light through him.And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

(W) Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

(M) Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,and clouds and storms, and all the weather,through which you give your creatures sustenance.

(W) Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water;she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

(M) Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,through whom you brighten the night.He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

(W) Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,who feeds us and rules us,and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

(M) Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you;through those who endure sickness and trial.Happy those who abide in peace,for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

(W) Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,from whose embrace no living person can escape.Woe to those who die in mortal sin!Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.The second death can do no harm to them.

(M) Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,and serve him with great humility.

The Assisi Underground: The Priests Who Rescued Jews is a 1978 novel written by Alexander Ramati based on a true-life account, told by Father Rufino Niccacci, during World War II.

In the Italian town of Assisi during World War II, 300 Jews were sheltered and protected by a peasant turned priest, Father Rufino Niccacci. He dressed many of them as monks and nuns, taught them Catholic ritual, and hid them in the monasteries.

Others lived in parishioner's homes and, with fake identity cards, found jobs and blended into the community. The town's printing press, which during the day printed posters and greeting cards, at night clandestinely printed false documents that were sent by courier to Jews all over Italy.Not a single refugee was captured in Assisi. No one who participated in the rescue operation ever betrayed it.

By the way: the Franciscans of Assisi were like the French community we saw earlier . . .

Scenes of Bruges (NL) and its Beguinage.

The Beguines flourished in the 1100-1200s, but were condemned in the Council of Vienne (1311)

Scenes of Bruges (NL) and its Beguinage.

The Beguines flourished in the 1100-1200s, but were condemned in the Council of Vienne (1311)

Scenes of Bruges (NL) and its Beguinage.

The Beguines flourished in the 1100-1200s, but were condemned in the Council of Vienne (1311)

Scenes of Bruges (NL) and its Beguinage.

The Beguines flourished in the 1100-1200s, but were condemned in the Council of Vienne (1311)

““Simple Prayer”Simple Prayer”The Peace Prayer of St. FrancisThe Peace Prayer of St. Francis

•composed by Thomas Heck for voice (or choir), flute, ‘cello, and guitar

•originally called “Preghiera semplice” (simple prayer) in Italian

•sung in this performance by Christine Shumway Mortine

Leader or soloist sings

O Signore, fa di me uno strumento della tua Pace:

Everyone sings

Where there is hate let us show your love,Where there is hate let us show your love,Dove è odio, fa ch’io porti l’amore,Dove è odio, fa ch’io porti l’amore,

Where there’s offense, may we pardon,Where there’s offense, may we pardon,Dove è offesa, ch’io porti il perdono,Dove è offesa, ch’io porti il perdono,

Where there’s discord, help us foster Where there’s discord, help us foster unity,unity,

Dove è discordia, ch’io porti l’unione,Dove è discordia, ch’io porti l’unione,

Where there’s doubt, let us share our Where there’s doubt, let us share our faith,faith,

Dove è dubbio, ch’io porti la fede,Dove è dubbio, ch’io porti la fede,

Everyone sings

Where there is error let us bring truth,Where there is error let us bring truth,Dove è errore, ch’io porti la verità,Dove è errore, ch’io porti la verità,

And hope to those in despair,And hope to those in despair,Dove è disperazione, ch’io porti la Dove è disperazione, ch’io porti la

speranza,speranza,

Where there is sadness may we bring joy,Where there is sadness may we bring joy,Dove è tristezza, ch’io porti la gioia,Dove è tristezza, ch’io porti la gioia,

And light to those in darkness,And light to those in darkness,Dove sono le tenebre, ch’io porti la Dove sono le tenebre, ch’io porti la

luce,luce,

Everyone sings

Help us, o Master, not so much to seek,Help us, o Master, not so much to seek,Oh, Maestro! Fa ch’io non cerchi Oh, Maestro! Fa ch’io non cerchi

tanto:tanto:

To be consoled as to console,Ad essere consolata, quanto a consolare,

To be understood as to understand,To be understood as to understand, Ad essere compreso, quanto a Ad essere compreso, quanto a

comprendere,comprendere,

To be loved as to love,To be loved as to love,

Ad essere amato, quanto ad amare.Ad essere amato, quanto ad amare.

For in giving we receive,For in giving we receive,

Poichè si è: Dando che si riceve,Poichè si è: Dando che si riceve,

In pardoning we are pardoned,In pardoning we are pardoned, Perdonando che si è perdonati,Perdonando che si è perdonati,

In dying we are born to our eternal In dying we are born to our eternal

life!life! Morendo che si riuscita a vita Morendo che si riuscita a vita

eterna.eterna.

In dying we are born to our eternal In dying we are born to our eternal

life!life! Morendo che si riuscita a vita Morendo che si riuscita a vita

eterna.eterna.

Thank you for your interest Thank you for your interest in in this wonderful peace this wonderful peace prayer!prayer!

Thomas HeckEmeritus Professor, The Ohio State University

tomheck@osu.edu

Adult Education Division, Santa Barbara City College