Introduction
Euan Cameron
This volume takes up the story of Bible where II left off, near end what is conventionally known as Middle Ages in Europe. As that amply demonstrated, had saturated intellectual, literary and artistic culture Europe Near East for centuries, through its presence Judaism, Christianity, also Islam. It seen rise structures systems regulated relationship between Scripture people, then emergence forces challenged those systems. Progressively greater assertiveness on part eleventh-century Roman papacy contributed to mutual excommunications 1054 confirmed a long-standing trend cultures Greek Latin West diverge, though they never entirely lost contact. From so-called Gregorian movement eleventh century West, clergy distinguished itself from laity by layers sacramental legal privilege. That separateness an educational scholarly system was normally interpreted within cathedral, monastic later university communities, all composed one sense or another ‘clergy’. The remained fundamental source text both Christian theology canon law Ages. However, these disciplines developed their own superstructures philosophical elaboration circumstantial exegesis, whole tended somewhat recede into background, reached filters tradition authoritative interpretation rather than directly. perceived ‘eclipse’ Scriptures helped provoke movements dissent heresy medieval period, none offered comprehensive replacement prevailing religious system. John Wyclif Jan Hus academic mode within, some extent name authority. Similarly, lay literacy piety infringed questioned separation literate, Latin-reading clerical elite rest people. challenges mitigated structural exclusiveness religion: did not bring about decisive change.
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