2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute. Church History II Survey Session #4 Bede and the Lindisfarne Gospels The Church in the Middle Ages

Transcription

1 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Church History II Survey Session #4 Bede and the Lindisfarne Gospels The Church in the Middle Ages 1

2 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Session 4 Bede and the Lindisfarne Gospels (separate topics not included in our text) Carpet pages with cross themes from the Lindisfarne Gospels. 2

3 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Opening Prayer A Prayer of Bede Saint Paul s church of Jarrow, the original monastery chapel which has existed since 681 AD When he received word of the great scholar s death, Boniface, who had used Bede s Bible commentaries, said, The candle of the Church, lit by the Holy Spirit, has been extinguished. "And I pray thee, loving Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom, and to appear forever before Thy face. Bede prayer of the venerable bede/ 3

4 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Overview of Session 4 Not Included in our text The Venerable Bede 672/3 735 AD What we know about how the Anglo-Saxons (a Germanic people) and Britain became Christian, we know from the writings of Bede. The Lindisfarne Gospels completed circa 698 AD Believed to be the work of one man, a monk by the name of Eadfrith who became Bishop of Lindisfarne AD. Now in the British Library. The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, off the coast of Northumbria (North east England ) 4

5 Angles and Saxons were Germanic people that invaded England after after the Romans left Ida, the first English (= Anglo Saxon) King of Northumbria, reigned from 547 AD from Bamburgh castle (below), but it took several decades to move inland. 5 th and 6th Century AD Invasion of Angles and Saxons 5

6 The Kingdom of Northumbria Northumberland AD After the Roman Christians departed, Northumbria was an early Anglo Saxon military, political, and economic center in England. Pagan until the conversion of King Edwin in 627 AD, Northumbria became a center of the Christian faith and was the home of many of England s most well known Christians (Aidan, Cuthbert, Bede and others). Even after the Normans invasion and conquest of 1066 AD, Northumbria continued in importance. 6

7 Bede s Life 672 or 673 to 735 AD Born at Tyne, in County Durham. Taken at age 7 to the monastery of Wearmouth, then to Jarrow. Ordained deacon at age 19, priest at 30. Spent rest of his life at Jarrow never travelling far from there, but became one of the most learned men of Europe. Greatest scholar of his time in the Western Church. Bede learned to love scholarship, personal devotion and discipline. Mastered Latin, Greek and Hebrew and had a good knowledge of the classical scholars and early church fathers. Bede's writings cover a broad spectrum including natural history, poetry, Biblical translation and exposition of the Scriptures. His earliest Biblical commentary was on the book of the Revelation. 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Wrote three known Latin hymns. His view of Scripture: "Holy Scripture is above all other books not only by its authority because it is Divine, or by its utility because it leads to eternal life, but also by its antiquity and its literary form. Five volume "Ecclesiastical History of the English People records events from raids by Julius Caesar in BC to the arrival of the first missionary from Rome, Saint Augustine in book1.html Bede examined primary documents, evaluated competing claims, discarded what couldn t be proved and explained his method throughout, showing himself to be an exemplary monk, an ardent Christian, a devoted scholar and a man of pure and winsome manners. His history is considered "the finest historical work of early Middle Ages. Popularized Anno Domini (the year of our Lord for dating. Not After the Death.

8 Bede s Hymn on the Ascension , Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Often sung on Whitsuntide (Whitsunday) or Pentecost, ten days after Ascension Thursday, the day celebrating the Ascension of Christ A hymn of glory let us sing; New songs throughout the world shall ring: Christ, by a road before untrod, Now rises to the throne of God. Canterbury Cathedral 13 th century The Ascension surrounded by biblical types The holy apostolic band Upon the Mount of Olives stand; And with his followers they see Their Lord's ascending majesty. To them the angels drawing nigh, "Why stand and gaze upon the sky? This is the Savior," thus they say; "This is his glorious triumph day. "Again shall ye behold him so As ye today have seen him go, In glorious pomp ascending high, Up to the portals of the sky." O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to thee let earth accord, Who art, while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit one. 8

9 2010, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Bede s Death "Even on the day of his death (the vigil of the Ascension, 735), Bede was still busy dictating a translation of the Gospel of St. John. In the evening the boy Wilbert, who was writing it, said to him: 'There is still one sentence, dear master, which is not written down.' And when this had been supplied, and the boy had told him it was finished, 'Thou hast spoken truth,' Bede answered, 'it is finished. Take my head in thy hands for it much delights me to sit opposite any holy place where I used to pray, that so sitting I may call upon my Father.' And thus upon the floor of his cell singing, 'Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost' and the rest, he peacefully breathed his last breath." The Last Chapter Bede Translates the Gospel of John by James Doyle Penrose Bede s Tomb Durham Catheral 9

10 The Cathedral at Durham Site of Bede s Tomb 10

11 Durham Cathedral The masons who built Durham were the first in Europe to have the skill and courage to throw a full stone roof over a large choir and nave ( ), and to do so they invented ribbed vaulting (and also concealed flying buttresses). Durham housed the shrine of Saint Cuthbert and the tomb of the Venerable Bede, and was the most visited pilgrimage destination in England before Becket mania took over in the south in the 1200s. Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman building in England, perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting. For this reason it was inscribed together with the Castle as one of Britain's first World Heritage Sites. In a nationwide BBC poll held in 2001 it was voted the nation's best-loved building. Like Hadrian's Wall and the Angel of the North, it is an icon of north-east England, its image is instantly recognizable to people who love this part of Britain. 11

12 Durham s ribbed vaulting Durham Cathedral was the filming location of one of Hogwarts classrooms. Harry Potter walks through the cloisters of the Cathedral with his owl, Hedwig. Harry Potter and the Philosopher s Stone (2001). 12

13 Layout of Durham Cathedral 13

14 Durham George Washington s Ancestral Home The origin of the very first president can be found here in Northumbria. The Washington family is from a town called Durham in the heart of Northumbria. The name "WASHINGTON" is Anglo Saxon, from "HWAES" a Saxon Chieftain, "INGA" meaning "the family of " and "TUN" an estate; the Estate of the HWAES family. Washington Old Hall in Durham, England "Over a thousand leagues of sea Rich in promise of things to be From a Durham Village the seed was blown And in far Virginian field was sown Little seed of a mighty tree" 14

15 This video provides an insightful introduction to Bede and takes us to the original locations associated with his life, work, and writings. 26 min color DVD by Yorkshire Television Unlimited, Granada Media, available from Gateway Films Available for checkout from Berachah Bible Church Library by church members 15

16 Bede is amazing because he writes like a modern, leaving out the fanciful, the myth, and the legend, unlike most writers of his time. Bede is where we learn of Columcille's (Columba's) evangelism of the Northern Picts (Scots), Aidan's mission to the Angles, and Cuthbert's missionary work in Northumbria (northern England). If you love to read, and love history, this is a classic book that you will greatly enjoy. The Prayer Foundation 16

17 The Lindisfarne Gospels 17

18 Lindisfarne The Holy Island Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England. Name originates in Old English, and means "island of the travelers from Lindsey (an Anglo Saxon kingdom. Monastery of Lindisfarne founded by Irish born, Aidan, sent from Iona off west coast of Scotland to Northumbria at King Oswald s request ca. AD 635. Became base for Christian evangelizing in the North of England. Aidan and Cuthbert are Lindisfarne s most important members. Bede provides a detailed account of their lives and work. Lindisfarne 18

19 The Lindisfarne Priory Ruins Viking raids finally forced the monks to abandon the island in 875, but in 1082, St Cuthbert rebuilt the Priory, the remains of which can still be visited 19

20 The Lindisfarne Gospels The Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated Latin manuscript of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Produced largely by one monk by the name of Eadfrith who became Bishop of Lindisfarne AD. Now in the British Library in London. Manuscript was produced at Lindisfarne monastery in Northumbria in the late 7th century or early 8th century. Generally regarded as the finest example of medieval religious art, a style that combined Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Byzantine themes. The manuscript is complete (though lacking its original cover), and is astonishingly wellpreserved considering its great age. Replica Cover With silver frame, colored stones, tin and silver based alloys, and a spine richly embroidered in gold thread. 20

21 Actor Robert Duncan takes leads a journey from the origins of the manuscript through to its current pride of place on display at the new British Library in London. Created over 1300 years ago in "honor of God and St. Cuthbert," this illuminated manuscript is one of Britain's greatest artistic treasures and remains an outstanding example of Anglo Saxon manuscript illustration of the late seventh century. 26 min color DVD by Yorkshire Television Unlimited, Granada Media, available from Gateway Films Available for checkout from Berachah Bible Church Library by church members Through a series of interviews, the program explores the artistic creation, spiritual nature and regional identity of the Lindisfarne Gospels, asking why and how the book was produced and has survived to this day. The beauty of the Gospel manuscript is interwoven throughout the program with stunning imagery drawn from a number of the key places associated with the book's story from Holy Island, Chester Le Street, Durham, to Castle Auckland. 21