Medieval Christian Faith

Medieval Christianity exhibits Philippians 2:2, as the Church sought to be of the "same mind, having the same love, and being in full accord and of one mind." Contemporary Christians can learn from medieval Christianity through three ways: seeking unity within the Church through shared resources, loving those outside the Church, specifically through gift-giving, and upholding the teachings of the early Church to maintain the core doctrine of the faith. The aforementioned ways encouraged unity in the medieval Church and, in the same way, can strengthen the contemporary Church today.

There was intentionality in the way the churches related to one another within the medieval Church. In his book, The Rise of Western Christendom, Peter Brown notes the Church interconnectivity as a "force" that had not been present prior in Europe. The Church was united through sacred Scriptures and the dissemination of "symbolic goods" (i.e., texts, relics, guides, teachers, music, art, etc.). "Little Rome's" were established, not in an attempt to replicate the center of Rome, but to re-create their center of worship with the same practices and customs (15). In many ways, the contemporary Church has already learned much from medieval Christians in sharing resources amongst churches through technology and travel. Rather than comparing churches and separating through our differences, Christians today can learn to be united by sharing resources to strengthen the Church.

Outside of the Church, medieval Christians prioritized the interactions with unbelievers through the unique form of gift-giving. The acts of generosity were known to establish and secure relations with others in the cities, including kings, aristocrats, warriors, etc. (32). The relations of giving and receiving were known to create "a sort of buffer zone" between believers and unbelievers alike. Contemporary Christians can learn from this generosity, not limiting the Church's giving to just the needy, but consider giving to those with wealth as the medieval Christians did. Perhaps in this exchange of gifts and resources, the Church would become a familiar and safe place for even the wealthy and unbelievers to find refuge. Generously giving to others outside the Church demonstrates the love the apostle Paul encourages in Philippians 2.

Medieval Christianity also demonstrated unity as seen in Philippians 2:2 in the way they sought to be of one mind even with the past early Christians. As noted by Brown, the present and future Church must respect the past rather than creating a new gospel or a new message. The Church today must commit itself to elaborate and refine the theology of the early Church.

To live out Philippians 2:2 well, contemporary Christians can learn from the medieval Church in their relations within the body of believers, giving to those outside the Church and respecting the early Church's doctrines.

Recommended Reading: The Rise of Western Christendom, Triumph and Diversity by Peter Brown