The Middle Ages stretched for 1,000 years, a time when the church continued its expansion into Europe and elsewhere. Beginning in 500 AD, the church benefited from numerous influential theologians. But it was also a time when the Bishop of Rome began to exert influence as “the pope.” This era saw centuries of corruption and abuse. This class will answer numerous questions: Who were the most influential theologians? Why are there monks and nuns in monasteries? What was the purpose of the crusades? What was it like to live as a typical Christian in this era? Finally, we will see the corruption that dominated the Roman Catholic Church with the popes during the time of the Renaissance and the crises that lit the fuse of the Reformation led by Luther, Calvin, and others.