Andrew Willard Jones, author and professor focused on social order, and Alan Fimister, a fellow academic, dive into the nuances of sovereignty and peace. They challenge the contemporary view of human nature by examining historical insights from the Middle Ages, arguing that understanding our past could lead to a more peaceful society. Their discussion also touches on the interplay between spiritual and temporal authorities, emphasizing the need for genuine community connections in today's bureaucratic landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Peace is Primordial, Not Violence
Peace is the primordial condition of human existence; violence is a disruption, not the root state.
Conflicts are competing visions of peace, not rival forms of violence.
insights INSIGHT
Modern Bias Distorts Medieval View
Modern views impose their assumptions on medieval society, misinterpreting its Christian framework as mere ideology.
Medieval society saw Christianity as a unique reality shaping social order, not just a political tool.
insights INSIGHT
Modernity as a Christian Heresy
Modernity is a heresy arising from Christianity, not an external invasion.
Modern state concepts distort and pervert the Christian ideals of law and order.
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Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages provides an overview of the relationship between the Church and society. R.W. Southern explores the ways in which the Church influenced various aspects of medieval life, from politics and law to art and culture. He examines the structure of the Church, its role in education, and its interactions with secular rulers. The book discusses the challenges and changes that the Church faced during this period, including the rise of heresy and the impact of the Crusades. It also highlights the intellectual and spiritual contributions of medieval thinkers and reformers. Southern emphasizes the pervasive influence of the Church on the development of Western civilization.
Cities Of God
Augustine Thompson
The origins of political order
Francis Fukuyama
In this book, Francis Fukuyama argues that a stable democratic society is built on three main components: a strong and capable state, the rule of law, and accountability mechanisms. He explores the evolution of these traits through various historical cultures, from the emergence of tribal societies to the development of modern states in China, India, and Europe. Fukuyama draws on a vast body of knowledge including history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics to provide fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and the challenges they face. The book also examines the roles of violence and religion in shaping political order and highlights the importance of balancing state power with social forces to achieve accountability and stability[2][3][5].
Before Church and State
Andrew Willard Jones
In Before Church and State, Andrew Willard Jones presents a compelling analysis of social order within the sacramental kingdom of St. Louis IX. Jones challenges conventional understandings of the relationship between church and state in pre-modern societies. The book explores how social cohesion was achieved through shared religious beliefs and practices. It examines the role of sacraments and rituals in shaping social interactions and hierarchies. It argues that the modern separation of church and state represents a significant departure from historical norms. Before Church and State offers a unique perspective on the foundations of Western civilization, offering insight into alternative modes of social organization and governance.
How ought we to think of our common life as human beings created in the image of God? Do our modern habits of thought prevent us from understanding what was going on in the Middle Ages? And more importantly: can the Middle Ages help us to escape the errors embedded in our common life today and thus open a path towards unfeigned peace? What is sovereignty? Is it necessary for peace? How do nature and grace relate, and what follows from that for the relation of temporal and spiritual power? Pater Edmund is joined by Alan Fimister and Andrew Willard Jones to discuss the later’s book Before Church and State.
Bibliography
Andrew Willard Jones, Before Church and State: A Study of Social Order in the Sacramental Kingdom of St. Louis IX (Steubenville: Emmaus Academic, 2017).
Francis Fukuyama, The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011).
R. W. Southern, Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages, vol. 2 of The Penguin History of the Church (London: Penguin, 1970).
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