Medieval Roman Catholicism in Christianity - Essay Example

The Role of Medieval Roman Catholicism in Christianity The Role of Medieval Roman Catholicism in Christianity The history of the Catholic Church is traced by scholars and theologians from the time of the twelve apostles nearly 2,000 years ago (Aguilar 2007). Devotees of the Catholic faith believe that Jesus Christ is the founder and ultimate head of Roman Catholics. With the death of Christ, the apostle Peter was designated as the first Pope, or temporal head of the Catholic Church. Since then, the mission of this faith is to spread the faith across the world.

Roman Catholicism is defined as “the faith, doctrine or polity of the Roman Catholic Church” (Merriam-Webster, 2010).The contributions of two prominent popes in the medieval times paved the way for the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 who “legalized Christianity, promoted its interests, and took an active role in its institutional and doctrinal development” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010). The name Christianity was coined from Jesus Christ. Christianity is the name given to that definite system of religious belief and practice which was taught by Jesus Christ in the country of Palestine, during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Tiberius, and was promulgated, after Jesus’ death, for the acceptance of the whole world, by certain chosen men among His followers.

The role of medieval Roman Catholicism, therefore, is the promulgation of evangelization of various peoples all over the world. In addition, the church instigated roles of education, engaging in charitable activities, and promotion of the family as the sole unit of social and moral values.As revealed in the history of Roman Catholicism, “one of the most significant developments of the late ancient and early medieval periods—for Roman Catholicism and all forms of Christianity—was the emergence of Christian theology.

During the late ancient and early medieval periods there was also a significant growth in monasticism, the origins of which are traditionally associated with the Apostles in Jerusalem” (Britannica, 2010).The teachings from the Apostles became the basis for their compilations of the Bible. As indicated in the article on Roman Catholicism stating that “the churchs role in mediating salvation has been emphasized more than in other Christian traditions. Supernatural life is mediated to Christians through the sacraments administered by the hierarchy to whom obedience is due” (Roman Catholic Church, 2010).

The origins of Roman Catholicism were instrumental in proffering the existence of God, as proven in five ways, to wit: from motion, from the nature of efficient cause, from possibility and necessity, from the gradation in things, and from the governance of the world (Fisher, 2007). The role, therefore of medieval Roman Catholicism was to pave the way for the proliferation of theological frameworks for teachings in Christianity which have been the basis for religious applications of contemporary times.

ConclusionKnown to be one of the oldest institutions in the world, the Catholic Church is rich with traditions and beliefs seen through the eyes of devotees. The legacy passed by the medieval Roman Catholics on religious beliefs, practices, and traditions of moral and ethical values was instrumental in shaping the way Christianity is today. ReferencesAguilar, M. (2007). The History and Politics of Latin American Theology, Volume 1. London: SCM Press. Fisher, M.P. (2007). Living Religions. Prentice Hall.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. (2010). Definition of Roman Catholicism. Retrieved 05 August 2010. < http://mw2.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roman+catholic> Roman Catholicism. (2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 05, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Roman Catholic Church. (2010). Retrieved 05August 2010.