History of the Christian Church: Medieval Christianity 590-1073: 004

History of the Christian Church

by Philip Schaff

Schaff, Philip

Genres: Church History, History, Theology, Christian History, Christianity, Christian

799 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1960

About the author

Philip Schaff was educated at the gymnasium of Stuttgart, and at the universities of Tübingen, Halle and Berlin, where he was successively influenced by Baur and Schmid, by Tholuck and Julius Müller, by David Strauss and, above all, Neander. At Berlin, in 1841, he took the degree of B.D., and passed examinations for a professorship. He then traveled through Italy and Sicily as tutor to Baron Krischer. In 1842 he was Privatdozent in the University of Berlin, where he lectured on exegesis and church history. In 1843 he was called to become professor of church history and Biblical literature in the German Reformed Theological Seminary of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, then the only seminary of that church in America.
On his journey he stayed in England and met Edward Pusey and other Tractarians. His inaugural address on The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in German at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and published in German with an English version by John Williamson Nevin was a pioneer work in English in the field of symbolics (that is, the authoritative ecclesiastical formulations of religious doctrines in creeds or confessions). This address and the "Mercersburg Theology" which he taught seemed too pro-Catholic to some, and he was charged with heresy. But, at the synod at York in 1845, he was unanimously acquitted.
Schaff's broad views strongly influenced the German Reformed Church, through his teaching at Mercersburg, through his championship of English in German Reformed churches and schools in America, through his hymnal (1859), through his labours as chairman of the committee which prepared a new liturgy, and by his edition (1863) of the Heidelberg Catechism. His History of the Apostolic Church (in German, 1851; in English, 1853) and his History of the Christian Church (7 vols., 1858-1890), opened a new period in American study of ecclesiastical history.
In 1854, he visited Europe, representing the American German churches at the ecclesiastical diet at Frankfort and at the Swiss pastoral conference at Basel. He lectured in Germany on America, and received the degree of D.D. from Berlin.
In consequence of the ravages of the American Civil War the theological seminary at Mercersburg was closed for a while and so in 1863 Dr. Schaff became secretary of the Sabbath Committee (which fought the “continental Sunday”) in New York City, and held the position till 1870. In 1865 he founded the first German Sunday School in Stuttgart. In 1862-1867 he lectured on church history at Andover.

Schaff was a member of the Leipzig Historical Society, the Netherland Historical Society, and other historical and literary societies in Europe and America. He was one of the founders, and honorary secretary, of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and was sent to Europe in 1869, 1872, and 1873 to arrange for the general conference of the Alliance, which, after two postponements on account of the Franco-Prussian War, was held in New York in October 1873. Schaff was also, in 1871, one of the Alliance delegates to the emperor of Russia to plead for the religious liberty of his subjects in the Baltic provinces.

He became a professor at Union Theological Seminary, New York City in 1870 holding first the chair of theological encyclopedia and Christian symbolism till 1873, of Hebrew and the cognate languages till 1874, of sacred literature till 1887, and finally of church history, till his death. He also served as president of the committee that translated the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before it was published in 1901.
His History of the Christian Church resembled Neander's work, though less biographical, and was pictorial rather than philosophical. He also wrote biographies, catechisms and hymnals for children, manuals of religious verse, lectures and essays on Dante, etc. He translated Johann Jakob Herzog's Real-Encyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche into English.

Reviews

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. Packed full of information from a time period in church history that many (at least Protestants) are not that familiar.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FOURTH OF EIGHT VOLUMES OF SCHAFF'S MASTERWORK

Philip Schaff (1819-1893) was a Swiss-born, German-educated Protestant theologian and Church historian, who was a professor at Union Theological Seminary. His 8-volume History is a classic; this fourth volume was originally published in 1866, and last revised in 1889. The next volume in the series is 'History of the Christian Church, Volume 5, The Middle Ages (Part 1) A.D. 1049-1294.' Vol. 5.

Schaff's view of Islam is quite negative. He asserts that "the moving power of Islam was fanaticism and brute force... (Islam) never made an impression on Europe except by brute force... and when it must withdraw from Europe it will leave no trace behind." (Pg. 150) He suggests that Islam was "a well-deserved divine punishment for the unfruitful speculations, bitter contentions, empty ceremonialism... which degraded and disgraced the East after the fifth century." (Pg. 152)

He admits that "The tenth century is the darkest of the dark ages, a century of ignorance and superstition, anarchy and crime in church and state." (Pg. 280) The papacy "became the prey of avarice, violence, and intrigue, a veritable synagogue of Satan. It was dragged through the quagmire of the darkest crimes... Pope followed pope in rapid succession, and most of them ended their career in deposition, prison, and murder." (Pg. 283)

He notes solemnly that the Spanish Inquisition "committed such fearful excesses that even popes protested against the abuse of power... The Inquisition carried the system of torture to its utmost limits. After the Reformation it was still employed in trials of sorcery or witchcraft until the revolution of opinion in the eighteenth century swept it out of existence." (Pg. 352)

He laments, "The single word 'filioque' keeps the oldest, largest, and most nearly related churches divided since the ninth century, and still forbids a reunion." (Pg. 476) He asserts that the doctrine of transubstantiation "reflects a magical supernaturalism which puts the severest tax upon the intellect..." (Pg. 569)

Although there are certainly more recent histories of Christianity, Schaff's has justifiably remained in print since its original publication in the 19th century. It deserves a place on any serious theological bookshelf.

[Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Schaff volume. When focusing on a time period that Protestant Christians have traditionally either ignored or condemned, and which is particularly difficult for a historian to study due to lack of sources, Schaff deals fairly and clearly with both people and events.
The book covers 590-1073 (from Pope Gregory I to Pope Gregory VII) and deals with the development of theology, church life, the church state relationship, and the decline of the church into legalism, superstition, and idolatry, along with the heroic resitance of faithful Christians to that decline. The rise of Islam also is dealt with in this volume, and includes an interesting footnote by Schaff on "the Mormon question."
I think one of the best parts of the volume was Schaff's analysis of Medieval poetry and hymns, including the question/answer poem Art thou weary by Stephen the Sabaite:

Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distrest?
'Come to me'- saith One- 'and coming
Be at rest!'

Hath He marks to lead me to Him
If He be my Guide?
'In His feet and hands are wound-prints,
And His side.'

Is there diadem, as Monarch,
That His brow adorns?
'Yea, a crown in very surety,
But of Thorns!'

if I find Him, if I follow,
What His guerdon here?
'Many a sorrow, many a labor,
Many a tear.'

If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
'Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan past!'

If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
'Not till earth, and not till heaven
Pass away!'

Finiding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
'Angels, martyrs, prophets, virgins,
Answer "Yes!"'

[Nelson Banuchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th volume of Schaff's "History" covers A.D. 590 to 1973, the Christianity's Mediaeval period, which covers, for example, on the conversion of Ireland (chapter 2, sections 14-16); on Islam's rise and challenge to Christianity (chapter 3), Catholicism, Popes with the Church's morally downward spiral and decadent worship of images in the midst of some voices who called for moral reform and were against image-worship, theological controversies (e.g. the Eucharist and Predestination, the latter which I always find most interesting) covered in chapter 11, "Doctrinal Controversies," and ending with a list and brief discussions on Greek ecclesiastical writers of the 12th-century (which I found a bit tedious).

This might not have been a good a volume as the first three were it not for the discussion of controversies in doctrine and Islam, and other controversies here and there (e.g. eucharist, popes, etc) within the Church worldwide. Also, the general literature, hymns, and poetry (with some examples) of this period are covered.

In any case, it is a volume worth taking the time to read, if quickly at some points (like the last chapter on the list of Christian writers).

[S. Runyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schaff does an excellent job throughout this entire series. The work is thorough and detailed. This work is obviously the result of a lifetime of learning and research. Schaff uses countless resources for reference and citation. His opinions/conjectures remain objectively true throughout the entire series. Although his son takes over beginning in Vol V, it is still mostly the work of Schaff the elder throughout. I would urge any student to learn Church History well and to do so with this series as the focal point of study.
It should be noted that this Publisher is the absolute worst example of publishing I have ever witnessed. The first 4 volumes are missing substantial portions of Greek and the last 4 are missing substantial portions of common English text whenever there is a footnote. There are about 1,000 footnotes in each volume. Purchase from a different Publisher.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

a Standard
so readable