Asses the significance of ONE person or school of thought, other than Jesus, to the development of Christianity
Hildegard von Bingen was born in the summer of 1098 in Bickhelheim Germany, 30 miles south of Bingen. Also known as Blessed Hildegard and Saint Hildegard, she was an author, counsellor, naturalist, philosopher, herbalist, visionary, linguist, scientist, physician, composer and poet, who made a significant impact in the development of Christianity.
Hildegard proposed many contributions towards Christianity all being unrestrained, generous and significant. Hildegard fought against discrimination directed towards her sister by the monks of Disibode and their Abbot Kuno, she also worked extremely hard to improve the rights and equality of women.
In 1136 Hildegard was elected a magistra by her fellow nuns, and she founded the monasteries of Rupertsberg in 1150 and Eibingen in 1165. In her monasteries, Hildegard encouraged women with talents or spiritual gifts to continue practicing, this included spirituality, medicine, music, and other areas.
Hildegard wanted to spread God’s Word, and helped unite the “holy trinity” of art, science, and religion. Because of this, people in society created a deeper awareness of the role and importance of imagery and symbol.
Hildegard produced many works of theology and visionary writing, which was remarkable as very few women wrote at this time. She is the first composer whose work is known to us, with an extent biography from her own time. One of her works, the Ordo Virtutum, is an early example of liturgical drama. Other artistic works, such as Illuminations, are symbolic pieces that successfully bring together the themes of ecology, justice, mysticism, ecumenism and art. She wrote many books on science, which explored rocks, birds, stones, animals and trees. Scivias is the name of a book that includes the study of biblical texts and Church practice, also written by Hildegard, including thirty six images of her...