A Summary of Scholasticism

During the medieval era, universities began to emerge across Europe as centers of learning, often evolving from cathedral schools or monastic schools. I have listed some of the major universities below:

Bologna(1088)

Paris(1150)

Oxford(1167)

Cambridge(1209)

Prague(1348)

In addition, I am including a short list of people and ideas that were important in the Medieval Era:

1215-The Magna Carta was signed

1300-1350-The Renaissance begins in Italy and lasts until the early 1500s

1099-1272-The European Crusades

1274-Thomas Aquinas dies

1292-Philosopher and monk Roger Bacon dies

1347-1351-The Black Plague (also called “The Black Death”) kills over thirty-five million people throughout Europe.(this was 1/3 of the population of Europe at the time. It would be roughly 150 years until the population returned to the levels prior to the plague).

1455-The printing press is developed

1483-Martin Luther is born

1508-1512-Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel

1517-Martin Luther nails his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg’s All Saints Church

A Brief History of Scholasticism

Scholasticism, a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics ("scholastics" or "schoolmen") of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100 to 1700, underwent significant transformations from the medieval era to the Reformation. This intellectual movement sought to synthesize the philosophy of the ancient classical philosophers with medieval Christian theology. The primary focus was on resolving contradictions between previously stated ideas and was heavily influenced by the rediscovery and study of Aristotle's works.

Medieval Scholasticism

During the High Middle Ages, Scholasticism was initially centered around the cathedral schools and monasteries, and later in the newly emerging universities. Philosophers such as Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, and Thomas Aquinas were prominent figures who developed complex methods of reasoning and debate. Aquinas, in particular, made significant contributions through his works like the "Summa Theologica," where he attempted to reconcile faith and reason by validating Christian doctrines through Aristotelian philosophy. The goal of medieval scholastics was to understand and interpret the Christian scriptures and the writings of the Church Fathers.

Scholasticism During the Renaissance and Reformation

The advent of the Renaissance brought a shift in the focus of scholastic thought, primarily due to the rise of humanism and the rediscovery of classical texts that were not directly related to Christian doctrine. Humanists like Erasmus of Rotterdam advocated for a return to the sources, which meant a more direct engagement with the Bible and the Church Fathers, and the theological constructions of the Scholastics.

The Reformation, initiated by figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others, further challenged the scholastic method. Luther, a former university professor trained in Scholastic theology, eventually criticized the scholastics for what he saw as their over-reliance on Aristotelian philosophy and their emphasis on salvation through works. He argued for a theology that was more directly founded on Scripture and faith alone (sola scriptura).

This intellectual movement sought to synthesize the philosophy of the ancient classical philosophers with medieval Christian theology. The primary focus was on resolving contradictions between previously stated ideas and was heavily influenced by the rediscovery and study of Aristotle's works.

I hope this post will assist you in better understanding the people and philosophies that rose out of the period from roughly 1200-1500. Please follow the embedded links to learn more about each topic.

Grace & Peace

Richard

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016, p. Php 1:8–11.