The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast PLMN009 - Why Isn't the Chronicle of Fredegar in the Bible?
Oct 30, 2025
Delve into the intriguing Chronicle of Fredegar, a unique account of post-Roman Europe that highlights the rise of threats like Islam. Discover Charles Martel's pivotal role in the Battle of Tours, which halted early Islamic expansion. Explore how the Carolingian Dynasty utilized history for legitimacy, and uncover the reasons why this significant work wasn’t included in the Bible. Additionally, learn about the intertestamental books, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and their relevance to the context of Philemon.
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Charles Martel's Pivotal Victory
- Matt recounts how Charles Martel, the mayor of the palace, defeated the Muslim advance at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD.
- He frames Martel's victory as a decisive turning point that preserved European Christendom and led to the Carolingian rise culminating in Charlemagne.
Chronicles Build Dynastic Legitimacy
- Matt explains the Carolingian dynasty used chronicles to build political legitimacy and a heroic narrative.
- The Chronicle of Fredegar and its continuations preserve those foundational claims and visual culture for the dynasty.
Medieval Manuscripts Have Surprising Art
- Matt describes quirky medieval illustrations in Fredegar, like a dancing humanoid-legged duck, to show the manuscript's charm.
- He uses these images to entice listeners to explore the chronicle themselves.