Hi everyone,

We’ll go over the second half of Chapter 11 of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years beginning with the section titled, “The Age of the Crusades (1060 – 1200)”.

We’ll cover one of the darkest and bloodiest periods in Christian history – or world history in general – the Crusades.  Just in time for the upcoming holidays!

The next time you’re part of a church committee and are thinking about catchy names for a church revival, special service, campaign, or event, you might want to really, really, really think twice about naming any church activity a “crusade” after having read this chapter.

For next Wed. please write a one page summary on one of the following:

• What aspect of the Crusades that MacCulloch brought up surprised you the most?  Or what was most intriguing and why?  In the end, do you think the Crusades were necessary, justified, and or successful?  State your reasons clearly as to why or why not.  And would you agree with MacCulloch’s statement that “The Crusades had begun with Islam as its enemy but ended up with Christians fighting Christians.”
• The development of the practice of indulgences during this time
• The establishment of the Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller, and Teutonic Knights
• The Pope’s efforts in the 13^th century to exterminate the Cathars
• The monastic reforms that were happening during the 12^th century, especially with the Cistercians
• The development of the worship/devotion to Mary as “the Mother of God”; with doctrines of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary assuming prominence during the 1100s.

Thanks and I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving with family and loved ones.

Written submissions will be posted up on Wed., December 4.