Gregory, Missions, and Islam: A Survey of Church History with W. Robert Godfrey

Summary

This lecture on Pope Gregory the Great explores his role in developing an independent papacy and introduces early notions of purgatory and the complex interplay of grace and merit, referencing Augustine and the sacraments. A key takeaway is Gregory's emphasis on preaching as a central pastoral duty, contrasted with later educational declines, and his significant promotion of Christian missions, notably to England, which established the foundational mission to Canterbury.