Vae mundo a scandalis, the sin of scandal in medieval England

grantor: University of TorontoThe word "scandal" has always carried multiple meanings, including "shocking behaviour" and "disgrace". In medieval theology, scandal was defined as the act of committing a sin in front of another, causing that person to sin because of the bad example provided. This definition (which, articulated by Thomas Aquinas, remains part of Roman Catholic theology) was a refinement of the Old Testament definition of scandal as a snare or a stumbling block. New Testament references to scandal emphasized the responsibility of Christians for each others' spiritual welfare. Patristic and early medieval writers did not ignore scandal, but it was with the Paris master Peter the Chanter (d. 1197), his circle, and their successors, that the theology of scandal underwent detailed, nuanced treatment. Peter was the first to pronounce that the triple truth of life, justice, and doctrine might not be abandoned on account of avoiding scandal; those who came after him expanded on this doctrine. By the end of the fourteenth century, though, as reputation and good name became increasingly important, discussions of scandal began to emphasize other aspects of its meaning, such as "shame", "disgrace", and "gossip". The multiple meanings of scandal are evident in bishops' registers--the records of bishops' working lives--and in literary sources. Both kinds of sources are dealt with here. Bishops knew the theological meaning and often spoke of transgressions as "a scandal to many and a pernicious example", but they tended to find most scandalous those sins which might damage the reputation and prestige of the church and its institutions. Because of their unique position as bridges between the ecclesiastical establishment and the lay community, bishops were the locus for the meeting of all meanings of scandal from the theological definition to those generated in the lay world. Literary sources reinforce and reflect this range of meanings, also illustrating the shift in emphasis towards reputation.Ph.D