THE MENACE TO CHRISTENDOM
Christianity in its Greek and Roman forms was not the only great religion of the Middle Ages. In the seventh century, before the separation of the two churches had been completed and before all Europe had become Christian, another religion arose. It grew with marvelous rapidity, stripped the Church of much territory in western Asia, northern Africa, and Spain, and promised for a time to become the dominant faith of the world. This was Islam, or Mohammedanism, the religion of the Arabs.
STUDIES
1. In what different senses is the word "church" often used?
2. "The eastern patriarch was the shadow of the emperor, cast on the spiritual world." Explain this statement.
3. Why did heresies develop in the East rather than in the West?
4. Look up in the New Testament the following texts relating to the primacy of St. Peter: Matthew, xvi, 18-19; Luke, xxii, 31-32; and John, xxi, 15-17.
5. What is "the power of the keys" which the popes claim to possess?
6. What reasons for the growth of the Papacy have been set forth in this chapter?
7. In what non-Christian religions is monasticism an established institution?