Renewing Your Mind Gregory, Missions, and Islam
22 snips
Jan 23, 2026 
W. Robert Godfrey, a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries and expert in church history, dives into the fascinating rise of Islam and its influence on medieval Christendom. He examines Gregory the Great's missionary efforts, the challenges faced by early Christianity from paganism and heresies, and the rapid expansion of Islamic territories post-Muhammad. Godfrey also discusses Islam's view of Jesus and its theological implications, emphasizing the intricate relationship between religion and culture in shaping societal norms.
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Repentance Shapes Medieval Church Life
- Gregory emphasized continuous repentance and the church's central role in securing hope for sinners.
- This led to early notions of purgatory and a shifting focus from inner peace to institutional assurance.
Sacraments And Merit Grow Central
- Gregory elevated sacraments and clerical mediation as key means of receiving grace.
- Over time this emphasis complicated relations between divine grace and human merit in medieval theology.
Preaching Was The Pastor's Core Duty
- Gregory's Book of Pastoral Rule insisted that preaching remained the primary duty of clergy.
- That pastoral ideal persisted even as parish clergy education declined later in the Middle Ages.
