Bernard of Clairvaux is one of the most influential theologians of the middle ages. His work within the Cistercian order helped further the new order into a respected monastic movement. But he influenced more than just the order. He was connected with many different popes throughout his life, and eventually helped get the first Cistercian and student of Bernard himself elected Pope.

He also helped shape theological development with his work against Peter Abelard. Bernard did a lot to thwart Abelard's focus on philosophy to interpret the Scriptures. He also created material like his commentary on Song of Songs that would be cherished for centuries afterward. But he also fell into a few troubles of his day, specifically noted is his work within the 2nd Crusade. In this video, we look at the life and work of Bernard and see why he is known as the Last of the Church Fathers.

Time Stamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Early Childhood and Education
2:42 Robert de Molesme and the Cistercians
4:06 Bernard the Cistercian
5:27 Bernard of Clairvaux
7:06 Council of Troyes
7:54 Knights Templar
8:40 Two Pope Schism
9:49 Commentary on the Song of Songs
11:50 Debate with Peter Abelard
12:19 Background for Peter Abelard
14:55 First Cistercian Pope
15:30 The start of the 2nd Crusade
17:16 Final Days
17:44 Legacy of Bernard

Short Introduction to Bernard:
Bernard of Clairvaux was born 1090 near Dijon, Burgundy to Tescelin de Fontaine and Alethe de Montbard. Early on at the age of 9 he was sent to Chatillon-sur-Seine for his early education. During his studies he was introduced to the Scriptures and began to further his studies in this genre. It was here that Bernard would become very interested in the study of Mary, and would lay the seed for much later doctrinal developments within this area.

As his education started to come to an end, unfortunately his mother passed away. Alethe wished for Bernard to enter into the monastery and devote himself to God, but Tescelin wanted him to enter into the military. Wishing to honor his mother, and further his dedication he eventually decided to enter the monastery.

Thankfully right down the road a man by the name of Robert de Molesme was starting a movement reffered to as the Cistercian order. After learning more about them, Bernard and several friends and family entered into the abbey. After three years of studies in 1115 the leadership wanted Bernard to go create his own abbey under the control of Citeaux. With a group of 12 monks they went out and founded the abbey of Clearvaux.

In 1118 he worked with the Council of Troyes to create the Rule of the Knights Templar which brought them into a much more recognizable situation. Many years later in 1130 Bernard would once again enter the Church scene as Pope Honorius II passed away. There was a schism where Pope Innocent II and Anti Pope Anacletus in which Bernard fought hard to legalize Innocent's reign as Pope.

After Innocent finally took his seat on the throne Bernard returned back to his abbey and produced his famous commentary on the Song of Songs. This collection of 86 sermons walk through Bernard's reflections on humanities relationship with Christ using Song of Songs as an example. In this collection you see Bernard paint a beautiful picture based upon the phrase "let him kiss me with the kiss of his lips."

In 1141 Bernard was scheduled to have a debate with Peter Abelard concerning the theological development Abelard had been trying to share. Bernard had fought against Abelard's focus on philosophy dictating theology, and even here Bernard forced Abelard out and the group voted against Abelard. A couple years after this Bernardo de Pisa a student of Bernard was elected Pope and very quickly called on Bernard to help him out.

In 1146 Bernard was called on to help preach the 2nd Crusade. With his help many people gathered to fight against the Muslim army. But much infighting collapsed the movement and it became a failure. After this Bernard returned back to his abbey in Clairvaux where he passed away in 1153.

Resources:
-A History of the Church by James North: ISBN 978-0899003719
-James, Bruno S. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: An Essay in Biography. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1957.
-http://people.bu.edu/dklepper/RN413/b... (Online intro to Song of Song Commentary)
-PDF of all 86 sermons of Bernard's Commentary on Song of Songs: https://hymnsandchants.com/Texts/Serm...
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