ISLAM
More sects in Islam- esoterics, wahabees.
Esoterics- people with special knowledge or interests Sufis, Pantheists Muslims
Wahebees- Allah is unknowable.
Biblical points of comparison:
Muhammad refers to OT and NT as true, yet the contribute and point to corruption. Monotheistic similarities, but different within in that. Their God is transcendent and unknowable, love and holiness not so much part of the equation. The trinity is seen as Joseph, Mary and Jesus. What has Allah done that has cost him anything? Islam makes no provision for sin. If hope in salvation is based upon works, there is a problem. Islam has an elaborate system of angels and demons, which ironically lead to some polytheistic leanings. A great sense of fatalism in Islam. To talk to a muslim- focus on the problem of sin, what sect they belong to. Islam spreads fast, and is a state religion.
Islam has the appeal of a universal message, and it is simple. No racial barriers today. Broad appeals for the universal brotherhood of man, helping woman. Post 9/11, not so much. A Muslim has no relationship with God- no spontaneity, codified laws and prayers. Muhammad’s last years in warring, pillaging, polygamy, killing Jews. Compared to the end of life of Christ, there is virtually no comparison.
Charles the Great (742-814), son of Peppin the short. Ruled for almost 50 years. An individual said he was 7 times the length of his foot. Reported to enjoy exercise, struggled with self control. 4 wives in his lifetime, 5-6 concubines. Still had kids after 65, had around 18 kids, half legitimate. Reportedly he spread christianity. Large territory, fortified. He allowed subjugated people to keep their customs and laws, so long as they converted to roman christianity. This made the church happy. He developed a stronger monarchy and a governmental chain of command. Below him are Dukes, which ruled duchy, within the Frankish empire. Duke collected taxes, recruited soldiers, dispensed justice. Luxembourg got its start here. The Count- a local admin official, rules his own county under the duke, holds position for life, admin, judge, military leader. Maybe like their own little dictator. Once Charlemagne had control, he sent out his Agents of the Lord King, ministers, to check on chain of command. Tried to subdue the church to make it an arm of the state. So he decided to appoint the bishops in his realm, issued decrees. One of the most important things was the idea of european unity. Rome- St. Peter’s church on Christmas, had been invited by Pope Leo, Charlemagne had come to smooth over some things. The pope had his eyes gouged out and tongue count out after Charlemagne left. Charlemagne was coronated as emperor of the Romans as well. 800. The notion came that the pope could just to do this revived nostalgia for old Rome. Charlemagne becomes first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. (Neither Holy or Roman though, lol). It was united for little while. For a while, powerful, with cooperation between church and state. The idea came that it was the pope’s job to rule, becomes a back and forth battle thru middle ages. When clovis had died, things fell apart. Same for Charlemagne. The son of Charlemagne was to follow- Louis the Pious was weak and indecisive, lost support of family and kingdom. His sons would fight for takeover. Disintegration occurs militarily and along the borders. Unmotivated. We think of nationalism, but thats a later phenomenon. Charlemagne wasn’t there to assert unity. power devolves. Charlemagne had held off Saracens (who had invaded even Rome in 846). The Magyars from above the Danube river, germanic. Came in France and Italy, spent 50 years raided europe. There was no slavery, sort of different. The dark ages- no slavery, just serfdom. The Magyars were thought to be Huns, ergo the term Hungary. They came to raid and capture people to sell as slaves to Islamic countries, not to colonize. The Vikings, north men, descendants of Germanic tribes. Not sure why they decided to make invasions- maybe just bored. Came to england first as pirates/merchents. Later, even settled in various locations. Normandy by Rollo, land taken from Charles the Simple of France. Shipping becomes important as Europe develops. The Vikings are going to be evangelized. As they become christianized, the invasions decreased, The Vikings and Magyars, become more “civilized,” more christian.
Feudalism and Manorialism.
9th century Europe. Feudalism provides protection and leadership, applying to only 10 percent of the population. The ruling and fighting classes. Though the peasant would be affected by it. Feudalism not really planned, just happened. Reasons for feudalism are found on the powerpoint. They are breakdown of central authority, increasing self sufficiency of the economy, germanic notion of kindred, necessity of defense against numerous invaders. As power devolves from the kings, the dukes loose power. So whose in control? The count will be for most of the middles ages. To build up his position and power, the count tries to keep peace with others who have resources and ambition. The count has to figure out how to keep the peace. The people who own land were probably given in. Called fiefs. Lesser lords become vassals of the count. When the count is able, he will give vassals more land. The vassal usually a mounted fighting man, like a knight. Required extensive training. Served as pages, squires, then knight eventually. 40 days on horseback a year required for them in deference to their leaders, they had to advise the lord and help resolve disputes. Usually no taxes, though sometime aids needed to be given to the count. If the lord is captured, the various vassals might have to pitch in to pay ransom. The vassals were also responsibility for taking care of people on your fief. The lord is obligated to have other vassals help defend a fief if the forces against it were too great. The family of the vassals would be taken care of.
