Spiritual Franciscans, Apocalyptism and Joachim of Fiore’s Heresy Flashcards
Who was Peter of Olivi?
A prophet whose apocalyptic understanding of the Franciscan order inspired scattered communities of lay followers in Southern France and Italy.
Who was Joachim of Fiore?
A man who underwent a profound conversion in 1167 and gave rise to a new set of bold ideas in Christian history.
What were Joachim of Fiore’s three key ideas?
(1) The Old Testament was a massive cryptogram of hidden meanings and patterns. (2) The Book of Revelations revealed the full meaning and was a single narrative unfolding in time. (3) Christian history unfolded not only in the duality of the Old and New Testament patterns but also in threes, an early expression of temporal global and material progress.
What did Joachim predict?
He predicted the emergence of a new monastic order that would represent the spiritual purity and progress of the third phase of Christian history. Franciscans, understandably, saw themselves adopting this assertion. Joachite ideas unfolded harmoniously into the realm of specifically Franciscan history (Francis born only a few years after Joachim’s predictions).
How did the Spiritual Franciscans relate to Joachim?
The Spiritual Franciscans related to Joachim by adopting his assertion that ecclesiastical hierarchies would be unnecessary in the final, perfected age of the Holy Spirit.
Which wing of the Franciscan movement did Joachim’s ideas appeal to?
They appealed heavily to the radical spiritual wing of the movement. (Spiritual Franciscans)
Who were the Spiritual Franciscans?
The Spiritual Franciscans were scattered communities of lay followers in Southern France and Italy who were inspired by Peter of Olivi’s prophetic and apocalyptic understanding of the Franciscan order, and deeply influenced by Joachim of Fiore’s ideas.
