Category Archives: medieval

Power and Justice

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“On the remedy of the Passion others have said that it is understood in justice and mercy. For our Savior, although He was all powerful, was able to free man (hominem) from the power (potestate) of darkness by the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval, Richard of St Victor, teaching, theology | Leave a comment

The Martyr Remains

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“[The psalmist] says next: the back of his back is like pale gold.  Better pale gold than glittering brass: ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than men.’ Gold is the Word, gold is wisdom.  This gold discolored itself, concealing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Cross, gospel, Love, martyrdom, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

A Pride So Great

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“The third reason [for Christ’s advent] is for our advantage, so that [Christ] would make satisfaction for the first lie. Moreover, that lie was a pride so great that the man (homo) might lift up himself in the mind even … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval, Peter Lombard, pride, Ralph Ardent, theology | Leave a comment

The Blood of Abel

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

This painting comes from late medieval Strasbourg (c. 1410) It is currently in an art museum in Colmar, Alsace (France). Source of Image This image demonstrates the summation of medieval Christian piety with the bleeding, dying Jesus and the compassionate … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval, Peter of Blois, preaching, theology | Leave a comment

Imagining the Enemy

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Disturbing news has emerged from Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople and is now constantly at the forefront of our mind: namely that the race of Persians, a foreign people and a people rejected by God, indeed a generation that … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, First Crusade, medieval, Urban II | Leave a comment

More Than a Feeling

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“For virtue is nothing else than an affection of the mind ordered according to reason, and such affections are said to be very numerous according to the various inclinations of the same mind, yet having one root and origin, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Christ, Cross, Hugh of St Victor, Incarnation, Love, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

A Virgin Shall Conceive

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“Perhaps at the time the angel came, she was holding [the text of] Isaiah in her hands; perhaps she was then studying the prophecy which declares: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Aelred of Rievaulx, Mary, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

The Origin of Indulgences

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

A close reading of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses demonstrates that he was calling into question not only the doctrine of indulgences but also the late medieval sacrament of penance. Luther focused on the interior nature of repentance instead of sacramental penance … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, Martin Luther, medieval, Peter Abelard, Reformation | 2 Comments

Love and Rewards

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“God is not loved without a reward, although he should be loved without regard for one.  True charity cannot be worthless, still, as ‘it does not seek its own advantage,’ it cannot be termed mercenary.  Love pertains to the will, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Cistercian, Love, medieval | Leave a comment

On the Violence of Love

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“ ‘I have been wounded by love.’ [Song of Songs 2:5 Old Latin] Love urges me to speak about love, and I willingly devote myself to its service.  Indeed, it is sweet and altogether enjoyable to speak about love (dilectione)—a … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, medieval, Richard of St Victor | Leave a comment