Page 129 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

The Middle Ages

conducted during this period and enthusiasm was generated by the
concept of defeating Muslims and regaining the Holy Land. Since the
Crusades were conducted under the auspices of the popes and with their
blessings, they tended to strengthen papal power.

The prestige and power of the papacy began to decline with Boniface
VIII (A.D. 1294–1303). The history of its decline is a record of the moral
failures, disorders, and divisions
of the medieval Roman Catholic
Church that forms the basis of a
course on church history. Since it Evidence suggests that
is not the focus of this course, we there was a rising tide
simply conclude that it represents
a sad chapter of church history. of opposition to the

internal moral and
We move now from these
negative aspects of church history spiritual decay within
to some more positive events. the medieval church.
Evidence suggests that there was
a rising tide of opposition to the
internal moral and spiritual decay
within the medieval church, and those whom we call the “remnant of the
righteous” appealed for spiritual renewal and obedience to Christ. During
this period, some Christians opposed the use of military force to convert
Muslims of which two men serve as examples.

Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi was converted to Christ when he had a vision and
heard the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 10:7–10. Although
he was a son of a wealthy Italian merchant, he interpreted the words
of Jesus to mean he should leave home and solicit funds from the rich,
give to the poor, and preach the love of Christ. He adopted a simple rule
of poverty and persuaded others to form a community called the Friars
Minor (Lesser Brothers). The objective was to preach Christ and care for
the poor and sick. He was reputed to have told his associates: “Preach
Christ at all times; if necessary, use words!” To encourage missionary
work, he traveled through France and Spain to encourage the church to
convert the Muslims of North Africa. At one point, he tried to persuade
the crusaders not to attack the Muslims. He tried to go to Syria (A.D.

::: 119 :::