Course Overview
In Understanding the Inquisition, you will learn what the Medieval, Spanish, and Roman Inquisitions were, their origins in Scripture and Roman jurisprudence, why they came into practice, and how they functioned.
Topics covered in this course:
Christopher Check will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to explain the Inquisition. The student who devotes the time and effort to acquiring a better sense of these events in Church history will be equipped to:
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Discuss the Inquisition honestly and irenically.
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Explain that to medieval man, heresy was no mere difference of opinion, but a dangerous and violent thing that tore asunder the political and cultural life of a Christian kingdom.
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Defend the good motives and often merciful actions of the men and women involved in these events, without feeling the need to justify their periodic excesses.
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Show that the Inquisition not only saved souls but also preserved the social fabric of Spain long after most of Europe’s countries were afflicted by Protestant rebellion.
Meet Your Instructor
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Instructor
Christopher Check
A graduate of Rice University, Christopher Check is the president of Catholic Answers. He lectures on Church history, lives of saints, the culture war, and the dangers of modern communication technology. Chris appears frequently on Catholic Answers Live, and Catholic Answers FOCUS, both as a guest and host.
Course curriculum
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1
Getting Started
- Download the Course Study Guide
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2
Introduction
- Lesson 1: The Perceived Transgressions of the Institutional Church FREE PREVIEW
- Quiz: The Perceived Transgressions of the Institutional Church
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3
A Neuralgic Topic in Context
- Lesson 2: Distinguishing Between Individual and Institutional Wrongdoing
- Quiz: Distinguishing Between Individual and Institutional Wrongdoing
- Lesson 3: Heresy—A Threat to Soul and Society
- Quiz: Heresy: A Threat to Soul and Society
- Lesson 4: Understanding the Man of the Christian Age
- Quiz: Understanding the Man of the Christian Age
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4
The Medieval Inquisition
- Lesson 5: The Albigensian Heresy
- Quiz: The Albigensian Heresy
- Lesson 6: Dominicans—Specially Trained to Defend Doctrine
- Quiz: Dominicans: Specially Trained to Defend Doctrine
- Lesson 7: How Did the Medieval Inquisition Operate?
- Quiz: How Did the Medieval Inquisition Operate?
- Lesson 8: Talking About Torture
- Quiz: Talking about Torture
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5
The Inquisition in Spain
- Lesson 9: A Quick Lesson in Spanish History
- Quiz: A Quick Lesson in Spanish History
- Lesson 10: Who Were the Conversos?
- Quiz: Who Were the Conversos?
- Lesson 11: Ferdinand and Isabella Launch the Inquisition
- Quiz: Ferdinand and Isabella Launch the Inquisition
- Lesson 12: How Did the Spanish Inquisition Operate?
- Quiz: How Did the Spanish Inquisition Operate?
- Lesson 13: Spanish Inquisition—Fact vs. Legend
- Quiz: Spanish Inquisition: Fact vs. Legend
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6
The Roman Inquisition
- Lesson 14: The Roman Inquisition
- Quiz: The Roman Inquisition
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7
Next Steps
- List of Recommended Reading
Reviews
Here's what people are saying about Making Sense of the Inquisition:
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Appropriately named - the course is factual review of wha...
Thomas Lingafelter
The text is clear, concise and understandable. The information flows well and provides answers that are easily understood. The approach to discerning Truth t...
Read MoreThe text is clear, concise and understandable. The information flows well and provides answers that are easily understood. The approach to discerning Truth through the inquisitions should be required in our schools and especially for all our political leaders that are currently caught up in their narrow agendas seeking to increase their power instead of ascertaining the Truth.
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Making Sense of the Inquisition
Susan Sommervold
Great course very informative
Great course very informative
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Catholics need not fear our history.
Nadim Hallaq
Thank you to Christopher Check for this wonderful explanation of the Inquisition. It did not gloss over or sugar coat anything for which would be rightly ca...
Read MoreThank you to Christopher Check for this wonderful explanation of the Inquisition. It did not gloss over or sugar coat anything for which would be rightly called immoral acts but it definitely puts into perspective that the subject of the Inquisition is nuanced, requires proper study, use of facts, and an understanding of how the Inquisition has been exaggerated in order to advance anti-Catholic misinformation.
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Concise
William Hennessy
I love that this course is concise and to the point. I appreciate that this course gave a broad overview and did not get into the finer details. Very educati...
Read MoreI love that this course is concise and to the point. I appreciate that this course gave a broad overview and did not get into the finer details. Very educational and gave me enough to feel comfortable discussing the inquisition in a conversational setting. This was exactly what I was looking for!
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Appropriately named - the course is factual review of wha...
Thomas Lingafelter
The text is clear, concise and understandable. The information flows well and provides answers that are easily understood. The approach to discerning Truth t...
Read MoreThe text is clear, concise and understandable. The information flows well and provides answers that are easily understood. The approach to discerning Truth through the inquisitions should be required in our schools and especially for all our political leaders that are currently caught up in their narrow agendas seeking to increase their power instead of ascertaining the Truth.
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Great course
Jim Jamros
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Interesting, informative, and enlightening
Dorothy Nielsen
All the lectures were excellent. This course has added much to my understanding of a controversial era
All the lectures were excellent. This course has added much to my understanding of a controversial era
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Informative, interesting
Peggy Fuchs
Interesting and knowledgeable instructor, makes the inquisition come alive
Interesting and knowledgeable instructor, makes the inquisition come alive
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