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A review by bryanthebroome
Medieval Wisdom for Modern Christians: Finding Authentic Faith in a Forgotten Age with C. S. Lewis by Chris R. Armstrong
4.0
While the title implies an in-depth, systematic analysis of Lewis' works as representative of Medieval thought, I was pleasantly surprised by the focus on Medieval Christian theology and wisdom, with the regular head nod to Lewis' utilization of those ideas. And while there are Lewis quotes aplenty, you'll find they're evenly matched (numerically) with primary source quotes from the likes of Anselm, Augustin, Kempe, and Abelard.
As an overview of the way Medieval Christians- for, despite the modern Protestant tendency to dismiss the entirety of the Middle Ages as beholden to superstition and fancy, the Medieval period is part of the historic treasury of the Christian inheritance- looked at the world, this book does a marvelous job of showing how the modern tendencies to focus on the individual as the locus of Christian knowledge and scriptural interpretation is just that: modern. Instead, the historian will see in the Medieval Church a reliance upon the wisdom of those who have gone before to inform one's faith, doctrine, and practice.
Of particular note is his articulation of the Medeivals' Universe-encompassing sacramental worldview: that the entire universe contains God in an immanent way such that everything you meet is in some sense an encounter with our Divine Ruler. This very idea of a "Universe" is what led to the creation of the University (a Christian idea) and the focus on ministries of temporal mercy is what led to the founding of hospitals throughout Christendom.
Where I fear I must deduct a star is in some of Armstrong's conclusions on doctrinal matters, such as the suitability of images of God in our daily reverence and reflection. This is a mar on his otherwise helpful and perspective-widening explanation of the heritage that many Protestants often, to our detriment, seem all too eager to leave behind.
As an overview of the way Medieval Christians- for, despite the modern Protestant tendency to dismiss the entirety of the Middle Ages as beholden to superstition and fancy, the Medieval period is part of the historic treasury of the Christian inheritance- looked at the world, this book does a marvelous job of showing how the modern tendencies to focus on the individual as the locus of Christian knowledge and scriptural interpretation is just that: modern. Instead, the historian will see in the Medieval Church a reliance upon the wisdom of those who have gone before to inform one's faith, doctrine, and practice.
Of particular note is his articulation of the Medeivals' Universe-encompassing sacramental worldview: that the entire universe contains God in an immanent way such that everything you meet is in some sense an encounter with our Divine Ruler. This very idea of a "Universe" is what led to the creation of the University (a Christian idea) and the focus on ministries of temporal mercy is what led to the founding of hospitals throughout Christendom.
Where I fear I must deduct a star is in some of Armstrong's conclusions on doctrinal matters, such as the suitability of images of God in our daily reverence and reflection. This is a mar on his otherwise helpful and perspective-widening explanation of the heritage that many Protestants often, to our detriment, seem all too eager to leave behind.