24 The Christian Movement in Africa and Spain Flashcards
What were some reasons Irvin gave for the Arab’s conquest of Egypt seen as a liberation?
1) Egypt had been taxed heavily for many years
2) Constantinople’s interference in Alexandria’s ecclesiastical affairs had left many disgruntled; harassment of churches that celebrated non-Chalcedonian beliefs
Who is the patriach that was banished by the emperor from Alexandria but welcomed back by the Muslim general who took the city?
Benjamin
What were the Christians in Egypt known as?
Coptic Christians
Which kingdom did the Arabs fail to defeat and later manage to maintain political and religious independence through treaty?
Nubia
Which patriarch did the Nubian and Ethiopian church look to for authority?
The Alexandrian patriach
Who provided pastoral guidance when there was no abuna appointed in Ethiopia?
Ethiopian monastics
What did Queen Damia Al-Kahena do in anticipation of another Arab attack that turned the local population against her?
She adopted the scorched-earth policy, destroying the crops and cutting down the trees; trying to render the land undesirable to the Arab invaders
Which kingdom did Islam spread where there were not already established Christian communities of faith in some form?
Ghana
What was added to the Nicene-Constantinople creed at the Council of Toledo?
At the end of the sentence stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, the theologians at Toledo inserted filioque (“and the Son”)
In order to bolster the creed’s affirmation of the equality of the Son with the Father.
Which Spanish bishop wrote the compendium of knowledge ‘Etymologies’ and reaffirmed the use of filioque?
Isidore of Seville
What were the two tendencies of Spanish Christianity mentioned by Irvin?
1) Violent persecution of Jews e.g. circumcision forbidden, confiscation of property
2) Rigorous stance on celibacy among the clergy
Who stopped the Arab advance at Tours?
Charles Martel (Frankish army)
Why did Flora of Cordoba get executed?
She converted to Christianity (father was Muslim) and denounced the Prophet in public
What were the two significant theological controversies in Spain?
1) Adoptionism; Jesus became Son of God at his baptism
2) The cult of St. James; James the brother of Jesus adopted as the patron saint of military efforts against Islam
