The Medieval Church and Dante's Inferno
Some people think that the medieval churches view on sin, redemption, heaven and hell was very complex, but actually the churches views were straight and to the point. I will discuss with you what sin, redemption, heaven and hell were to the medieval churches and I will also share some examples in the story that will help you better understand The Inferno and the medieval churches views.
Let's begin with sin. A sin was said to be a deliberate and purposeful violation of the will of God. "The medieval churches thought that sin was also a failure to live up to external standards of conduct and the violation of taboos, laws or moral codes" ("Christianity"). Obeying God was extremely important and was to be taken very seriously. If you sinned then you were saying and proving that you hated God. Sin was considered to be pure evil and if you sinned then you would have to face the consequences whatever they may be. The bigger the sin was the greater the consequence was.
The medieval churches labeled their sins under two different types. The first type of sin, "Mortal sin or actual sin, was when a person knew exactly when they were sinning and sinned anyway" ("Sin"). Knowing fully what the consequences would be. The second type of sin, "Venial sin or material sin, was when the person sinning had no idea that they were sinning" ("Sin"). They didn't sin deliberately to disobey God.
You can find the numerous types of sins in a very important book that the early Christians relied on, the bible. "Since God has spoken to us it is no longer necessary for us to think" (Gilson). The only thing that matters for each and every one of them was to achieve their own salvation. All that the...
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...pe you learned something new about the medieval churches and also some helpful insight to the views of Dante in Inferno.
Works Cited
"Christianity: THE CHURCH AND ITS HISTORY: Christian doctrine: THE CHURCH: Scriptural Traditions." Britannica
Online. http://www.cb.com:180/cgi-bin?DocF=macro/5001/28/86.html [Accessed 28 January 2001].
Etienne, Gilson. Reasons and Revelations in the Middle Ages. New York: New York, 1938.
Etienne, Gilson. The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy. New York: New York, 1940.
"Heaven." Britannica Online. [Accessed 28 January 2001].
"Hell." Britannica Online. [Accessed 26 January 2001].
"Sin." Britannica Online. [Accessed 28 January 2001].
Next, Augustine details what sin and iniquity is noting that those who sin is also does immoral behavior and that sin is also
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