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Respect for authority in the Middle Ages
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:
The research objective of the article is to present the nature of authority and respect it enjoyed in the first centuries of the modern era.
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS:
As political authorities are hardly respected today, it is worth reflecting on the phenomenon of authority by analysing it in the first centuries of Christianity and posing the question: what was the nature of authority in this period? The answer to it will be sought by analysing the main areas of the theological-political thought of that time.
THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION:
Starting with the beginnings of human existence and the need to give order to the world in chaos caused by sin, we will analyze the nature of authority in the first centuries of Christianity and the Middle Ages. Beginning with the teachings of St. Paul, and three models of the government advocated by: Eusebius of Caesarea, St. Augustine, and St. Ambrose and St. Pope Gelasius I, we will prove that authority comes from God and through the authority of the Church and the emperor, brings order and peace to the world.
RESEARCH RESULTS:
The analysis of the views of the thinkers of the Middle Ages reveals three ways in which they undertsood authority: the primacy of the emperor with the participation of the Church, superiority of ecclesiastical authority over secular and pagan authority and the separation between ecclesiastical and secular authorities.
CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
The analysis of the nature of authority in the Middle Ages demonstrates that respect for both ecclesiastical and secular power was widespread and was justified by its divine nature and by concern for the common good. Thus, the wisdom of Christian and medieval thinkers should serve as stimulus to reflect on the nature and the attitude to authority in modern democratic civilization.
Keywords
authority ; Middle Ages ; Augustin ; Gelasius I ; Eusebius of Caesarea
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