CHRISTIANITY: SIGNIFICANT PERSON AND IDEAS HILDEGARD OF BINGEN 1098-1179

Background: - Mystic, reformer, prophet, visionary, polymath, abbess, composer, philosopher, administrator, evangelist - Born at Bokelheim (West Germany), 10th child of a noble family, promised to church and raised from age of 8 in a hermitage (later Benedictine monastery) - Educated by anchoress Jutta von Sponheim from young age - Nun at 15 head of small convent at Disibodenberg in 1136 - Uneventful scholarly life 32 years visions and revelationsrecords later in forties - Moves to Bingen in Rhine region in 1150 - Completed last preaching tour aged 73 (in 1171), wrote regularly after this, died in 1179, aged 81 Rhine region political power torn between monarchy/local authorities and papacy/royal families 12 popes and 10 anti-popes in her time 1141 life-changing vision the heavens were opened and a blinding light of exceptional brilliance flowed through my entire brain Founded and lead monasteries (i.e. at Rupertsberg, Eibingen)successful administrator Wrote Scivias, The Book of Lifes Merits, and The Book of Divine Works Treatise on poetry, science, and 1st known full length morality play Wrote hymns and liturgical songs to music Corresponded with secular and ecclesiastical leaders and those of lesser rank Eugene III, Anastasias IV, Abbot Suger (statesmen), German emperors Frederick I Barbarossa, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Preaches extensively and embarks on four major missionary journeys1159-1170 Womens visions had to be validated by male authority Denied her visions were part of a dream state Reformer opposed abuse of authority in church

Contribution to the Development and Expression of Christianity: 1. Gender equality: - Patriarchal Europe attitudes toward women are limiting and derogatory the rights and role of women are severely inferior to those of men - Hildegard challenges collective perception of womens roles through her untraditional example - Encourages increased female church participation womens roles in church

Fights against discrimination from prominent church figures i.e. monks at Disibode and their Abbot Kuno (sisters have cramped living quarters, strict finances, writing is discouraged, prevented from giving guidance to those seeking help) Challenges patriarchal culture of women as secondary and relegated to submissive roles (wives and mothers), overcomes obstacles to be a living example of this Encouraged women in monasteries under her administration to use musical, painting, singing, and spiritual gifts Embarked on extensive preaching and missionary journeys (between 1159 and 1170) like many men of her time Leads by example writings provide conviction and achievement enough to break down attitudes and limitations Social Justice Missionary work preaches extensively on issue of social justice For fair treatment of all, against corruption and injustice Gender equality for participation in church, authorship, advice, rights, dignity Encourages good works

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3. Christian Theology: - Spiritual writings and endeavours to incorporate concepts into church practice - Argues for interconnectedness of cosmos explores in writings on natural history, medicine, and theology - Commentary on Gospels, Athanasian Creed, lives of saints, Rule of Benedict - Note works Scivias (her int. of trinity), Divine Works (rel, btwn people, god, each other), visionary writings (doctrine and salvation), music (Christian songs and hymns, Symphony of Harmony, poetry contributed to Christian thought - Changes perception of prophecy-through-the-weak by documenting visions extensively 4. Church Reformation: - Changing church character and practice - Re-establish women in the church as leaders and participants, criticises discrimination and patriarchal attitudes and dominance - Departure from monastic tradition colourful clothes, singing, performing plays - Decrease in decadence of excesses (wining and dining) - Clergy to return to scriptures - Holy trinity of art, science and religion to spread Gods word and reveal creation (original purpose and message) Impact of Hildegard von Bingen on Christian tradition: Intro: - Who is she? background - Beatified today - Cult flourishes in monastic circles

Some new age movements have adopted her visions and music

1. Impacted the function of institutional Christian tradition through response to patriarchal leadership and participation. - Challenges actions of key church figures - Fact that many opinions are visions from God means she wasnt opposed nearly as much as if her endeavours were independently formed and backed ones without divine validation - Encourages her nuns to depart from passive elements of monastic life to singing, performing plays, communicating Gods message in accessible way - Promoted role of women thorough her authorship of numerous writings, adding new dimension to prophecy-through-the-weak by documenting them and dictating numerous intellectual works - Opens possibility for less patriarchal church, foundation for future feminist excursions (still occurring today) - In some ways has lead to increasing recognition of women in church life

2. Hildegard promotes the effective communication of Gods word through a range of mediums - Prolific painter, composer, poet, and playwright recognises the multitude of ways meaning can be conveyed to public - She herself did not write for long b/c of low-confidence and opinions of men - Departs from inaccessible teaching of time practical method breaks down barrier btwn layman and religion - Music the symphony of the harmony of celestial revelations - Heavy symbolism of justice, ecumenism, mysticism in line with holy trinity (art and religion interconnected) - Impacted practice of Christian tradition esp. in terms of worship - Today use of art to communicate messages for illiterate, accessible songs and music integrated into worship - Result of other influences too, but Hildegard got it going in her time 3. Strengthens and develops doctrinal foundation of social justice Social commentary, often about contextual leaders, gender equality Against injustice and corruption in the church in line with Gods true message This reformist impact was hugely augmented through her correspondence with incredibly influential European leaders and contacts in various monastic communities , consulted and respected by them wields enormous implicit power Critical of schismatics

4. Theological and visionary contribution : - Vast collection of writings

List 3 main works help to clarify and reconcile many important religious and contextual issues Prophecies help others understand Christianity Scientific, musical, theological ideas Medicine, geology, ecology, biology exploration into Creation Argues for interconnectedness of cosmos explores in writings on natural history, medicine, and theology Commentary on Gospels and Athanasian Creed and lives of saints Note works Scivias (her int. of trinity), Divine Works (rel, btwn people, god, each other), visionary writings (doctrine and salvation) Man is at the peak of gods creation

Conclusion: - Impacts expression and dev. of Christianity contextually, and to a lesser extent, universally - Challenges long-established practices and attitudes pioneers change in a number of areas in Europe - Perhaps tempting to say minimal impact b/c her influence is largely limited to the mircoworld of 12th century Germany but it is the environment which makes her achievements so huge