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RCC Christians During Medieval Times

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by Rippon, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    I suppose I could have started this thread elsewhere,but this forum will do.

    I keep hearing a lot of nonsensical comments to the effect that there were no true Christians during the Middle Ages that belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. The sentiment is that Baptists alone were the pure party and that they were around a long time before the Reformation.

    So I started a list which many could add names to. Here are some famous Christians during the Dark Ages who belonged to the RCC yet were fine Christians. None of our doctrinal beliefs would line up with theirs entirely --but that's old news. Some of my doctrinal beliefs certainly do not intersect with a number of posters on the BB.

    The Venerable Bede (672/3-735)

    Anselm (1033-1109)

    Peter Lombard (1096-1164)

    Peter de Bruys (1100's)

    Robert Grossetete (1175-1253)

    Thomas Bradwardine (1290-1349)

    John Tauler (1300-1361)

    John of Wesel (died 1482/4) He is not to be confused with John of Wessel who was with the Brethren of the Common Life.

    And of course John Wycliffe was a Roman Catholic priest.

    All these notable men represented even more common folks who were with the Roman Catholic Church yet were indeed Christian.

    Let's add more names.
     
  2. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Arent you forgetting Knox & Luther?
     
  3. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    They don't qualify as notable Christian men of the Middle Ages. They were in the Reformation times--didn't you know that?
     
  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    OK....wasn't the Reformation in the Middle Ages?
     
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    How about Bonaventure, how about Duns Scotus, Thomas Aquinas. Then there was Francis Bacon & Thomas a Kempis
     
  6. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    No,it was after the Middle Ages. Typically the Middle ages are dated as between 500 A.D. to 1500 A.D. Yes,Martin Luther was born in 1483 which predated the Reformation,but the Reformation started with his propositions in 1517,when he was 34.
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Then your saying Jan Huss is disqualified....what about Francis of Assisi (Born 1181 – 1182)?
     
  8. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Absolutely not! Jan Huss (1369-1415) was certainly a notable Catholic Christian during the Middle ages;as was Jerome of Prague (1379-1416). The latter modeled himself after Huss in a fashion as Huss did with regard to Wycliffe. Jerome was burned to death a year after Jan Huss.
     
  9. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Im just pullin your leg.....here, now pull my finger!:laugh:

    Guess Servitus ......naaaaa. :tonofbricks:
     
  10. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Here's another one which can be added :Bernard of Chairvaux (1090-1153)
     
  11. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I think this is an excellent thread, and goes way beyond adding names. It strikes at the heart of how Jesus Christ preserved His NT church during this time of history. Of course, I believe there are and were plenty of saved Christians in the RCC. Doctrinal error does not always mean lost.

    Before the Reformation, during the Middle Ages, the RCC was the main church. We know there were also local autonomous churches alongside of the RCC. No Protestant denomination had established itself at this time. I am not one who believes that these local autonomous churches somehow are direct descendants of the modern day Baptist church. (there are many so one could ask which one). There could be an indirect link.

    Anyway, I think the problem we have today is over simplifying a complex issue. Christ promised to preserve the NT church. He did not promise to do it with one denomination.

    As I said above, I do believe there are many saved Catholics. There is also elements of truth in the RCC despite their numerous doctrinal errors. There is error in all denominations. I was a PCA Presbyterian for 25 years and consider sprinkling infants in error, but the PCA has some solid theology. I do not care for their hierarchy and elder form of government, but that is just my opinion.

    God uses what He chooses to preserve His church. It is the height of arrogance on our part to say the RCC had no part in that. The truth is probably it was a combination of both the RCC and the local autonomous churches during that period.
     
  12. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Kind of hard to have Protestant denominations before the Protestant Reformation.
    "Direct descendants"? You mean direct precursors or forebearers. Descendants means that they follow an ancestor.

    But on 7/18/13 you said:"It is possible that some of the modern day Baptist groups directly or indirectly came from the early autonomous churches."
     
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