Orthodoxy abroad: John XXII and global Christendom
[Thesis]
Joshua Paul Hevert
Whalen, Brett
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016
256
Committee members: Boon, Jessica; Bull, Marcus; Cassen, Flora; Shields, Sarah
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-369-01306-1
Ph.D.
History
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016
This dissertation examines the way in which Latin Christians of the fourteenth century, but particularly the papacy, reconciled the incorporation of Asia and the Christian communities living throughout the continent with their vision of world order. More specifically, it argues that Pope John XXII clarified and adapted the role of the papacy on the global stage in response to the challenges, both in terms of Latin Christian doctrine and practice, that Latin Christians living in Asia presented. It explores and interrogates the struggle of John XXII's papacy to define, to police, and to discipline Latin Christianity, especially in Islamic and Mongol lands where the Latin Church attempted to create social, cultural, and religious communities that replicated orthodox religious communities in Western Europe. Moreover, the dissertation demonstrates that the efforts made by the popes and other Latin Christians were attempts to order a world that, from the Latin perspective, presented considerable spiritual danger to the Latin Christians living in it. Finally, it argues that Latin Christians rediscovered and redefined their religious identities in Asia. The study analyzes the reevaluation of Latin Christendom in following the fall of the city of Acre in 1291, the creation of new institutions and church hierarchies in Asia, John XXII's direction of the missionary project and clashes with members of the Franciscan order, and an attempt to halt trade between Christians and Muslims in Asia and on the Mediterranean. The project therefore contributes both to Church History and World History.
Religious history; World History; Medieval history
Philosophy, religion and theology;Social sciences;Crusades;Heresy;John xxii;Mission;Papacy;Travel writing