Early Medieval Hymns

Catholic Mass during the Middle Ages.

Many well-known Catholic hymns were written during the Early Middle Ages. Congregations memorized these hymns by singing them in church and teaching them to children at a young age. The song “Joys of Paradise” was penned during this time and its lyrics spoke of the coming jubilation of the kingdom of heaven for faithful Christians, but also the darkness of evil men and the singing of the angels in heaven. 

In “Hymns from Cathemerinon,” the writer admits that age has changed his perspective on faith and he sees the futility of earthly accomplishments since death will annul them. Every sinner will have a chance of redemption, the author states, and that light symbolizes ethical purity because it conquers darkness. God also knows all secrets and foresees everything that will happen on earth. 

In “Vesper Hymn to the Virgin,” the author Fortunatus writes that the Virgin Mary will change men’s grief to glory when she lifts up her voice to Christ. He praised the Trinity and explained that Mary, who was without sin, guards the golden door of heaven of which Christ is the cornerstone. Boldly, Fortunatus declared that Christ gave an ultimate victory to Christians when he died on the cross and rose from the dead.

In 775, Paul the Deacon wrote the “Hymn for the Lauds” which proclaims that John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, the prophets, patriarchs, apostles, martyrs, and angels will all intercede to God for us. It instructs us to pray for your King, so that God can help guide him to do His will.

There is a constant theme in Early Medieval Literature that God is sovereign and that Rome’s gods are not, rather they are demons in disguise. Another regularity is that the world’s blessings are not worth pursuing so we should instead focus on God’s blessings only, and also states that the Church will last till the end of time. 

Works of Thomas Aquinas and Later Scholastics

Thomas Aquinas with his book “Summa Contra Gentiles”

In his book “Summa Contra Gentiles,” Thomas Aquinas made the connection between faith and reason, and heavily cites Aristotle as his logical influence. Aquinas did not put forth arguments like “the universe couldn’t have been started unless there was a God.” Instead, he referenced the Aristotelian idea that no potential can actualize itself unless it is created by something. Aquinas used an analogy for God the Father working through Jesus Christ, such as if you hit something with a stick, the stick is being struck against the object, but the stick couldn’t have done it without your hand. 

Thomas Aquinas confirmed two vital things: God exists, and He is pure. Because of these truths, Aquinas derived the following divine attributes: first, monotheism follows from God as a pure act; second, God is immaterial, since He cannot be changed; third, He is all-powerful, and causes everything that happens on earth; fourth, humans have intellect and will, and were made in the image of God, so He must also have those qualities; fifth, God is a good God, and has no negative features. 

Aquinas followed in the footsteps of Augustine of Hippo, who he claimed was one of the most significant early Christian scholars. Although he believed that war is inherently evil and can only be justified by the aggressor, Aquinas stated that there are some circumstances under which a war should be waged. 

Fransico de Victoria (1483-1546) proclaimed that princes should seek to live in peace, However if there is a war, it should be waged within just limits and followed by a period of moderation if possible. 

The Church eventually put restrictions on war, such as prohibiting crimes like robbing churches or peasants, leaving women and children alone, and not burning civilian homes. Christians also agreed to stop fighting on feast days.

John Duns Scotus (1265-1308) was an Scottish franciscan who taught theology at Oxford University. Scotus asserted that the existence of God, the immorality of the soul, and the providence of God are all truths, although none are  knowable by reason. However, it is by faith that one believes, he said. Scotus emphasised on the divine will and stated that whatever God wills is always good. 

John Duns Scotus.

William of Ockham, a colleague of Scotus, claimed that things do not have essences or natures and that reason and faith are separate. He stressed God’s will, stating that God could save the guilty and damn the righteous if He willed it. Interestingly, both of these scholars opposed Thomas Aquinas, who thought that reason and faith worked together in unison. 

Augustine’s Sermons

Augustine of Hippo preaching.

Augustine of Hippo preached a large series of sermons across his life. Fortunately, there is a written record of many of them, with 11 volumes of his preachings recorded today. In his first sermon, he wrote that the enemies of the Church are wolves and they will try to consume Christ’s sheep. He stated that Christians are doves who cannot fall to the temptations of serpents. Augustine taught that while persecutors may be able to hurt or kill your earthly body, they are not able to destroy your soul unless you deny Christ. 

Augustine proclaimed that Peter represented the Church, and like him, if we have faith we will not fail, just like Peter did not sink on the sea with Christ. Like a rock, we will not totter if we believe. When we trust in Christ, we will float, but if we trust only in ourselves, we will plunge into sin. Augustine said like Paul, we can start off weak, but by God’s grace we can become strong, pious, Christians who will steadfastly labor for Christ. 

Beware the offenses of the world. These offenses are temptations, which can even come from loved ones, friends, or family. Christians can resist such tribulations by obeying God’s law. Augustine advised that when you do a good deed, do not be pleased in yourself, but be pleased in the Lord. God’s grace grants all people (even heathens) the power to be sons of God. Christians are pilgrims on earth, because we should not be of the world, and need to proclaim the good word to non-believers. Augustine claimed that Rome, and all other earthly kingdoms, will eventually perish, just like all men eventually die. 

There will be a Final Day of judgment, but no one knows exactly when, just like the final day in each person’s life, which also is not revealed to us. As a consequence of Christ’s Resurrection, Christians do not need to fear what comes after death, since through his crucifixion and resurrection our souls are saved from eternal damnation. Preaching that God is the Creator, Augustine believed that he is sovereign over the history of the world. Moreover, God’s people should fear Him and Him alone, and not be scared about any worldly persecutor.