The Rise of Monasticism and Islam, the Invasions of the Barbarians and the Influence of St. Augustine - Essay Example

Celtic Christianity represents features of Christianity that were prominent across the Celtic world in the Early Middle Ages. A spotlight on monasticism centering on the sequestered life of monks and nun provides an example of Celtic Christian practice. True ecclesiastical power within the Celtic world lay in the hands of monasteries instead of bishops of dioceses, and the ideal of monasticism was collectively esteemed within Celtic Christianity (Noble 192). St. Benedict established his Monastic Rule, which established a system of regulations for the basis and running of monasteries.

Monasticism gained prominence throughout Europe and gave rise to numerous early centers of learning. The way of addressing monastic varies between the diverse Christian traditions based on their rank and monastic tradition. As early as the 3rd century, the ascetical life had attained a noteworthy expansion within the church in North Africa witnessed by the presence of existence of number monasteries at Carthage by the year 400. The structure in which monasticism spread from North Africa to all of Western Christianity emanates partly from St.

Augustine influence. Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo was both a theologian and philosopher and can be regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the development of Western Christianity (Noble 193). When the Roman Empire fell, and the faith of numerous Christians was at stake, Augustine established the concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God separate from the material city of Man. The Romans utilized the term “barbarians” to refer to individuals who lived outside the boundaries of the Empire.

The middle Ages period can be connected to the fall of the Western Roman Empire within the fifth century to the start of the Renaissance in the fifth century. The collapse of the Roman government accompanied a decline in trade, learning, infrastructure, and security. The Early Middle Ages witnessed the emergence of monasticism in the west. The form of European monasticism derived from the traditional ideas that emanated from within the deserts and Syria. The presence of Christianity within Africa started in the middle of the 1st century in Egypt, and by the end of the 2nd century within the region around Carthage.

The later rise of Islam within North Africa reduced the size and numbers of Christian congregations sparing the Coptic Church in Egypt, the Nubian Church in Sudan, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The decline and total desertion of this flourishing Church can be regarded as a sad fact of history. The Arab Muslim incursion of North Africa that started around 643 was completed by the fall of Carthage (698) and Ceuta (709). The Muslims heralded the extinction of Christianity, minimizing the number of bishoprics by the time of Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085).

The disappearance of the Church in North Africa can be explained by: the presence of Donatism within the Church in North Africa, which significantly minimized the Church’s interior strength; despite, the Catholic victory over the Donatists at a meeting held in 411 (Carthage), Donatism did not entirely disappear and was still evident in North Africa