History of religion Books

Book SynopsisThis book explores the intersection between two key developments of the fourth through seventh centuries CE: the construction of monumental churches and the veneration of saints. While Christian sacred topography is usually interpreted in narrowly religious terms as points of contact with holy places and people, this book considers church buildings as spatial environments in which a range of social 'work' happened. It draws on approaches developed in the fields of anthropology, ritual studies, and social geography to examine, for example, how church buildings facilitated commemoration of the community's dead, establishment of a shared historical past, and communication with the divine. Surveying evidence for the introduction of saints into liturgical performance and the architectural and decorative programs of churches, this analysis explains how saints helped to bolster the boundaries of church space, reinforce local social and religious hierarchies, and negotiate the community's placTrade Review'Yasin has a deft command of too-often forgotten places with their difficult archaeologies, especially those from North Africa. She sensitively draws conclusions from tricky evidence from old excavations or now inaccessible sites, and the book provides excellent plans and photographs of buildings which should now become as familiar as Ravenna and Rome … She avoids simply reinterpreting familiar sites, but carefully sets out the evidence for the sophisticated ways in which late Romans constructed the sacred in church buildings.' Caroline Goodson, Early Medieval EuropeTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Churches before architecture: approaches to sacred space in the early Christian world; 2. Commemorative communities: the dead in early Christian churches; 3. Topographies of honor and piety: praying for the Christian benefactor; 4. At the center of it all? Framing space with saints; 5. What saints do in church, part I: focusing communal prayer; 6. What saints do in church, part II: community connections.

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Book SynopsisThe first of the nine volume Cambridge History of Christianity series, Origins to Constantine provides a comprehensive overview of the essential events, persons, places and issues involved in the emergence of the Christian religion in the Mediterranean world in the first three centuries. Over thirty essays written by scholarly experts trace this dynamic history from the time of Jesus through to the rise of Imperial Christianity in the fourth century. It provides thoughtful and well-documented analyses of the diverse forms of Christian community, identity and practice that arose within decades of Jesus's death, and which through missionary efforts were soon implanted throughout the Roman Empire. Origins to Constantine examines the distinctive characteristics of Christian groups in each geographical region up to the end of the third century, while also exploring the development of the institutional forms, intellectual practices and theological formulations that would mark Christian histoTrade Review'The Cambridge History of Christianity is a most ambitious project … The full collection is intended to blend sociological, demographic, cultural, and institutional historical perspectives with the developement of worship and liturgical traditions and theological developement. Given the goal of the series, [this book] is a major success. Professor Mitchell … and Professor Young … have successfully combined their vast talents to edit a compendium of essays rich in detail and true to the objective of avoiding revisionist history … This volume is a must-read for all interested in the early church. It is written for an academic or professional audience and is a required addition to any well-equipped library. While each reader will find areas where more material would be of great interest, the extensive bibliographies (ninety-two pages) provide a wealth of supplemental resources.' History and Society of Religion'This volume is a propitious opening to the eight which will follow … This is an important, sophisticated and intelligently edited volume which should aid and abet the student of earliest Christianity for many a year to come. Higher praise could not be bestowed upon a handbook of this kind.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History'The utility of the Cambridge History of Christianity: Origins to Constantine lies primarily in its comprehensive treatment of discrete aspects of the early church, covering a wide range of themes, issues, persons and events. Its insightful chapters are supplemented by useful illustrations, maps, detailed bibliographies and index. Origins to Constantine is a valuable resource for the lay-person and scholar alike. While the cost of the book will be prohibitive for some, libraries and scholars able to invest in this volume and the series will yield intellectual dividends for years to come.' Studies in ReligionTable of ContentsPrelude Frances M. Young; Part I. The Political, Social and Religious Setting: 1. Galilee and Judea in the first century Sean Freyne; 2. The Jewish Diaspora Tessa Rajak; 3. The Roman Empire Hans-Josef Klauck; Part II. The Jesus Movements: 4. Jewish Christianity Joel Marcus; 5. Gentile Christianity Margaret M. Mitchell; 6. Johannine Christianity Harold W. Attridge; 7. Social and ecclesial life of the earliest Christians Wayne A. Meeks; Part III. Community Traditions and Self-definition: 8. The emergence of the written record Margaret M. Mitchell; 9. Marcion and the 'Canon' Harry Y. Gamble; 10. Self-definition vis à vis the Jewish matrix Judith Lieu; 11. Self-definition vis à vis the Graeco-Roman world Arthur J. Droge; 12. Self-differentiation among Christian groups: the Gnostics and their opponents David Brakke; 13. Truth and tradition: Irenaeus Denis Minns; 14. The self-defining praxis of the developing ecclesia Carolyn Osiek; Part IV. Regional Varieties of Christianity in the First Three Centuries: 15. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth Margaret M. Mitchell; 16. Overview: the geographical spread of Christianity Frank Trombley; 17. Asia Minor and Achaea pre 325 CE Christine Trevett; 18. Egypt Birger A. Pearson; 19. Syria and Mesopotamia Susan Ashbrook Harvey; 20. Gaul John Behr; 21. North Africa Maureen A. Tilley; 22. Rome Markus Vinzent; Part V. The Shaping of Christian Theology: 23. Institutions in pre-Constantinian ecclesia Stuart George Hall; 24. Monotheism and creation Gerhard May; 25. Monotheism and Christology Frances M. Young; 26. Ecclesiology forged in the wake of persecution Stuart George Hall; 27. Towards a Christian paideia Frances M. Young; Part VI. 'Aliens' Become Citizens: Towards Imperial Patronage: 28. Persecutions: genesis and legacy W. H. C. Frend; 29. Church and state up to c.300 CE Adolf Martin Ritter; 30. Constantine and the 'Peace of the Church' Averil M. Cameron; 31. The first council of Nicaea Mark Edwards; 32. Towards a Christian material culture Robin M. Jensen; Conclusion: retrospect and prospect Margaret M. Mitchell.

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Book SynopsisThe key focus of this book is the vitality and dynamism of all aspects of Christian experience from late antiquity to the First Crusade. By putting the institutional and doctrinal history firmly in the context of Christianity's many cultural manifestations and lived formations everywhere from Afghanistan to Iceland, this volume of The Cambridge History of Christianity emphasizes the ever-changing, varied expressions of Christianity at both local and world level. The insights of many disciplines, including gender studies, codicology, archaeology and anthropology, are deployed to offer fresh interpretations which challenge the conventional truths concerning this formative period. Addressing eastern, Byzantine and western Christianity, it explores encounters between Christians and others, notably Jews, Muslims, and pagans; the institutional life of the church including law, reform and monasticism; the pastoral and sacramental contexts of worship, belief and morality; and finally its cultuTrade Review'… an excellent addition to an invaluable series.' The Historical Association'The editors have managed an admirable consistency of excellence across these thirty essays, with their own chapters among the most ambitious.' The Catholic Historical Review'Early Medieval Christianities is not necessarily a book for beginners, but what it offers is equally useful. it is an informative and engaging colloquium of specialists.' Speculum'In keeping with the format of a Cambridge History, this volume deploys an impressive number of academic A-listers, assembled to produce an authoritative treatment.' The Journal of Ecclesiastical HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction: Christendom, c.600 Peter Brown; Part I. Foundations: Peoples, Places, and Traditions: 1. Late Roman Christianities Philip Rousseau; 2. The emergence of Byzantine orthodoxy, 600–1095 Andrew Louth; 3. Beyond empire I: Eastern Christianities from the Persian to the Turkish conquest, 604–1071 Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev; 4. Beyond empire II: Christianities of the Celtic Peoples, 600–1100 Thomas M. Charles-Edwards; 5. Germanic Christianities, 600–1100 Lesley Abrams; 6. Slav Christianities, 800–1100 Jonathan Shepard; Part II. Christianity in Confrontation: 7. Christians and Jews, 600-c.1100 Bat-Sheva Albert; 8. The Mediterranean frontier: Christianity face to face with Islam Hugh Kennedy; 9. Christians under Muslim rule Sidney H. Griffith; 10. Latin and Greek Christians Tia M. Kolbaba; 11. The northern frontier: Christianity face to face with Paganism Ian N. Wood; Part III. Christianity in the Social and Political Order: 12. The Christian church as an institution Thomas F. X. Noble; 13. Ascetism and its institutions Anne-Marie Helvétius and Michel Kaplan; 14. Law and its applications Janet L. Nelson; 15. The problems of property Rosemary Morris; 16. Ideas and applications of reform, c.600–c.1100 Julia Barrow; 17. Churches in the landscape Dominique Iogna-Prat; Part IV. Christianity as Lived Experience: 18. Birth and death Frederick S. Paxton; 19. Remedies for sins Rob Meens; 20. Sickness and healing Peregrine Horden; 21. Gender and the body Lynda L. Coon; 22. Sacrifice, gifts, and prayers in Latin Christianity Arnold Angenendt; 23. Performing the liturgy Éric Palazzo; Part V. Christianity: Books and Ideas: 24. Visions of God Alain Boureau; 25. Orthodoxy and deviance E. Ann Matter; 26. Making sense of the Bible, 600–1100 Guy Lobrichon; 27. The Christian book in medieval Byzantium Leslie Brubaker and Mary B. Cunningham; 28. Saints and their cults Julia M. H. Smith; 29. Last things Jane Baun; Conclusion: Christendom, c.1100 John H. Van Engen.

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Book SynopsisThis volume explores the wide range of institutions, beliefs and practices within later medieval Christianity. It describes and analyses routines of Christian life, dissent, and the striving for religious perfection and provides an accessible account of the rich and varied life of medieval European Christians.Trade Review"...inspires awe....enormous diversity of of excellent scholars....stands out from rivals by its sheer scale....provide an effective structure....identification and development of themes is thoroughly successful....deeply impressive..." --Philip JenkinsTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Intimations of Change, 1100–1200: 1. Clerical purity and the re-ordered world Henrietta Leyser; 2. The Bishops of Rome, 1100–1300 Anthony Perron; 3. Religious poverty and the search for perfection Beverly Mayne Kienzle; 4. Monastic and religious orders, c.1100–c.1350 Brian Patrick McGuire; Part II. Forging a Christian World, 1200–1300: 5. The theological framework, 1200–1300 Lesley Smith; 6. The legal underpinnings, c.1050–c.1300 Anders Winroth; 7. The material support, 1200–1300 Brigitte Resl; 8. Material support 1200–1300: the monastic and religious orders Janet Burton; 9. The Word and its diffusion Katherine Jansen; Part III. The Erection of Essential Boundaries: 10. The erection of essential boundaries: Christians and Jews Ora Limor; 11. Christendom and Islam David Nirenberg; 12. Christians and heretics Peter Biller; 13. Women and men Megan McLaughlin; 14. Heaven, hell, and purgatory: 1100–1500 Alan E. Bernstein; Part IV. Shapes of a Christian World: 15. Sacramental life Miri Rubin; 16. Religious soundscapes: liturgy and music Susan Boynton; 17. Images in the world: reading the crucifixion Sara Lipton; 18. Mary Rachel Fulton; 19. Mysticism and transcendence Amy Hollywood; Part V. Transience: 20. On the margins of religious life: hermits and recluses, penitents and tertiaries, beguines and beghards Walter Simons; 21. Saints and pilgrimages: new and old (1100–1500) André Vauchez; 22. Crusade and conquest Marcus Bull; Part VI. The Challenges to a Christian Society: 23. Repression and power John Arnold; 24. Faith and the intellectuals (I) Joseph Ziegler; 25. Faith and the intellectuals (II) Michael Stolz; Part VII. Reform and Renewal: 26. Empowerment through reading, writing and example: the Devotio Modern Koen Goudriaan; 27. The invasion of demons in the Christian community Alain Boureau; 28. Wycliffism and Lollardy Kantik Ghosh; 29. Observant reform in the late medieval religious orders Bert Roest; 30. Public purity and discipline: states and religious renewal Roberto Rusconi; 31. The Bible in the fifteenth century Christopher Ocker.

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Book SynopsisThis authoritative volume presents the history of Christianity from the eve of the Protestant Reformation to the height of Catholic Reform. In addition to in-depth coverage of the politics and theology of various reform movements in the sixteenth century, this book discusses at length the impact of the permanent schism on Latin Christendom, the Catholic responses to it, and the influence on the development of the Orthodox churches. This comprehensive and comparative overview covers the history of society, politics, theology, liturgy, religious orders, and art in the lands of Latin Christianity. In thirty chapters written by an international team of contributors the volume expands the boundaries of inquiry to the relationship between Christianity and non-Christian religions - Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism - both in Europe and in the non-European world.Trade Review'The articles in this volume are of the high standard that one would expect given the expertise of the contributors. Although they are largely summary in nature, one is left with a clear sense of the cutting-edge research underlying this volume that in turn reflects the current vibrancy and depth of Reformation studies … Along with an excellent chronology and a very full bibliography for both the volume itself and for each article, this is a succinct history of early modern Christianity and an ideal summary of current research developments for scholars at all levels.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History'This book provides readers with a broad spectrum of perspectives on the period of the Reformation and Protestant Orthodoxy, placing them within the larger context of Christian life and thought in Europe and beyond.' Journal of Reformed TheologyTable of ContentsPreface R. Po-chia Hsia; Part I. Luther and the Holy Roman Empire: 1. Martin Luther, reformer Scott Hendrix; 2. Emergence and consolidation of Protestantism Thomas A. Brady; 3. Anabaptists and dissenters Emmet McLaughlin; 4. Lutheranism in the seventeenth century Hartmut Lehmann; Part II. The Second Reformation: 5. Communal reformation - Zwingli and south Germany Peter Blickle; 6. Calvin and his successors Robert Kingdon; 7. Theology and liturgy of reformed Christianity Mark Greengrass; 8. The second wave of Protestant expansion Philip Benedict; Part III. Catholic Renewal: 9. Redefining Catholicism - Trent and beyond Robert Bireley; 10. New religious orders John Patrick Donnelly; 11. Female sanctity Gabriella Zarri; 12. Tridentine worship and the cult of saints Simon Ditchfield; 13. Peace without concord: religious toleration in theory and practice Nicolette Mout; 14. Imposing church and social discipline Ute Lotz-Heumann; 15. Persecutions and martyrdoms Brad Gregory; 16. The Mediterranean inquisitions of early modern Europe William Monter; 17. Religious colloquies and making peace Oliver Christin; 18. Latin Christianity and eastern Orthodoxy Mikhail Dmitriev; Part IV. Religion, Society and Culture: 19. Reformation and the visual arts Lee Palmer Wandel; 20. Ritual in early modern Christianity Susan Karant-Nunn; 21. Music and religious change Alexander J. Fisher; 22. Demonology Wolfgang Behringer; 23. Science and religion Ann Blair; 24. The new clergies Luise Schorn-Schütte; 25. Women and religious change Merry Wiesner-Hanks; Part V. Evangelising the Non-Christian World: 26. Christianity and Judaism Miriam Bodian; 27. The naturalisation of Andean Christianities Kenneth Mills; 28. Between Islam and Orthodoxy: Protestants and Catholics in southeastern Europe Istvan G. Toth; 29. Christianity shaped by the Chinese Nicolas Standaert; 30. Reception of Hinduism and Buddhism in early modern Christianity Ines Zupanov and R. Po-chia Hsia.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first scholarly treatment of nineteenth-century Christianity to discuss the subject in a global context. Part I analyses the responses of Catholic and Protestant Christianity to the intellectual and social challenges presented by European modernity. It gives attention to the explosion of new voluntary forms of Christianity and the expanding role of women in religious life. Part II surveys the diverse and complex relationships between the churches and nationalism, resulting in fundamental changes to the connections between church and state. Part III examines the varied fortunes of Christianity as it expanded its historic bases in Asia and Africa, established itself for the first time in Australasia, and responded to the challenges and opportunities of the European colonial era. Each chapter has a full bibliography providing guidance on further reading.Trade Review'This latest volume in this prestigious series looks at what is arguably the most important century in Christian history, whether in Western Europe, Britain, the United States, the British Empire or the Far East … this is an admirable collection that brings readers the latest thinking on a wide variety of fields.' Contemporary Review'… the editors and writers are to be congratulated on bringing order out of a difficult but fascinating period. It is certainly a volume that fulfils one of the functions of history: to help us understand present problems better by looking at the past … it must be said that Cambridge University Press has not departed from its usual standards of production. Footnotes, bibliography and index are impeccable, and this reviewer did not find a single misprint.' Church Times'… this is a superb work, an essential work of reference that can be read and enjoyed for the stimulation and information it provides.' Church of England NewspaperReview of the set: 'The project is unprecedented and very welcome. Not least among the strengths of these volumes are the large bibliographies, including many works by the essayists involved.' The Times Literary Supplement'… the editors have set out through their commissioning of chapters to demonstrate that over the course of the nineteenth century the centre of gravity of Christianity moved decisively beyond the confines of Europe.' Journal of Ecclesiastical HistoryTable of Contents1. Introduction Sheridan Gilley; Part I. Christianity and Modernity: 2. The papacy Sheridan Gilley; 3. Theology and the revolt against the Enlightenment Douglas Hedley; 4. The growth of voluntary religion David Bebbington; 5. Catholic revivalism in worship and devotion Mary Heimann; 6. Women preachers and the new orders Janice Holmes and Susan O'Brien; 7. Church architecture and religious art Andrew Sanders; 8. Musical trends in the Western church: a collision of the 'ancient' and 'modern' Jeremy Dibble; 9. Christianity and literature in English Andrew Sanders; 10. Christian social thought John Molony and David M. Thompson; 11. Christianity and the sciences Nicolaas Rupke; 12. History and the Bible John Rogerson; 13. Popular religion and irreligion in the countryside and town David M. Thompson; Part II. The Churches and National Identities: 14. Catholic Christianity in France from the restoration to the separation of church and state, 1815–1905 James McMillan; 15. Italy: the Church and the Risorgimento Frank J. Coppa; 16. Catholicism, Ireland and the Irish diaspora Sheridan Gilley; 17. Catholic nationalism in Greater Hungary and Poland Gabriel Adriányi and Jerzy Koczowski; 18. Christianity and the creation of Germany Anthony J. Steinhoff; 19. Anglicanism, Presbyterianism and the religious identities of the United Kingdom John Wolffe; 20. Protestant dominance: Switzerland and the Netherlands Urs Altermatt and Michael Wintle; 21. Scandinavia: Lutherism and national identity Dag Thorkildsen; 22. 'Christian America' and 'Christian Canada' Mark A. Noll; 23. Spain and Portugal: the challenge to the church William Callahan; 24. Latin America: the church and national independence John Lynch; 25. Between East and West: the Eastern Catholic ('Uniate') churches Robert J. Taft; Part III. The Expansion of Christianity: 26. African-American Christianity Jon Sensbach; 27. Christian missions, anti-slavery and the claims of humanity, c.1813–73 Brian Stanley; 28. The Middle East: Western missions and the Eastern Churches, Islam and Judaism Heleen Murre-van den Berg; 29. Christians and religious traditions in the Indian Empire Robert Eric Frykenberg; 30. Christianity in East Asia: China, Korea and Japan Daniel H. Bays and James H. Grayson; 31. Christianity in Indochina Peter Phan; 32. Christianity as Church and story and the birth of the Filipino nation in the nineteenth century Jose Mario C. Francisco; 33. Christianity in Australasia and the Pacific Stuart Piggin and Allan Davidson; 34. Missions and Empire, c.1873–1914 Andrew Porter; 35. Ethiopianism and the roots of modern African Christianity Ogbu U. Kalu; 36. The outlook for Christianity in 1914 Brian Stanley.

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This book explores the birth and development of Shi'i identity. Through a critical analysis of legal texts, whose provenance has only recently been confirmed, the study shows how the early Shi'a carved out independent religious and social identities through specific ritual practices and within separate sacred spaces.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1928, this book contains a critically annotated edition of the ancient Greek text of the dialogue on the life of Saint John Chrysostom by Palladius. Coleman-Norton prefaces Palladius' account with a detailed introduction on the life of the author and his relationship to the saint as well as his literary style and sources.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Abbreviations in the Apparatus criticus; 3. Greek text; 4. Notes; 5. Indices; 6. Appendices.

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Book SynopsisAn interdisciplinary study of Mary as a religious symbol in post-Reformation Germany. The author uses a rich array of illustrative material to demonstrate that Mary did not disappear from Protestant devotional life, and that in Catholic areas devotion to the Virgin did not always displace more traditional forms of Marian piety.Trade Review'… a nuanced account of Mary's significance for Lutheran and Catholic circles in the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation.' H-Net'Bridget Heal's Cult of the Virgin Mary in Early Modern Germany provides readers with a fascinating examination of the tenacity of Marian devotion and diversity of religious life in early modern Germany. Situating her analysis of both archival and artistic sources within the distinctive historical and theological currents that shaped the religious experience of townsfolk in her three cities, Heal demonstrates the variety of Marianism in both Protestant and Catholic territories. Enriched by more than sixty evocative images of Marian artworks from throughout the Empire, analyzed with a keen eye for their historical significance, this work represents a valuable contribution to the literature on religious culture in early modern Germany.' Central European History'The text is accompanied by well-chosen, mostly unfamiliar images and concludes with an excellent index with plenty of thematic entries which makes this important study highly user friendly.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History'Heal's work will be a valuable resource for scholars in art history, gender studies, the history and theology of the Reformation, and the intersection of politics and religion in Renaissance and Early Modern Europe.' German QuarterlyTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Transformations in Marian teaching; 2. Marian piety in Lutheran Germany; 3. Confessional frictions and the status of the Virgin; 4. The Counter-Reformation cult; 5. Catholic pluralism and Cologne; 6. Marian devotion and gender; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisUnlike monks and nuns, clergy have hitherto been sidelined in accounts of the Middle Ages, but they played an important role in medieval society. This first broad-ranging study in English of the secular clergy examines how ordination provided a framework for clerical life cycles and outlines the influence exerted on secular clergy by monastic ideals before tracing typical career paths for clerics. Concentrating on northern France, England and Germany in the period c.800âc.1200, Julia Barrow explores how entry into the clergy usually occurred in childhood, with parents making decisions for their sons, although other relatives, chiefly clerical uncles, were also influential. By comparing two main types of family structure, Barrow supplies an explanation of why Gregorian reformers faced little serious opposition in demanding an end to clerical marriage in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Changes in educational provision c.1100 also help to explain growing social and geographical mobiliTrade Review'Julia Barrow's magisterial social history of medieval clergy brings into sharp focus many aspects of the medieval Church hitherto only vaguely understood. A previously fragmented field of study is synthesised as a unified whole, resting on deep and secure scholarship. It is a tremendously important book.' David d'Avray, University College London'Julia Barrow has produced a master work that is at once engaging, important, learned, and original. Focusing on Continental Europe and the British Isles, Barrow has tackled the medieval clergy as a whole. Many works treat, say, monks and monasteries, or bishops and cathedrals. But no book has the breadth or depth of coverage that Barrow has achieved. Barrow is attentive to fundamental issues of continuity and change and to regional diversity. This book will be essential reading for medievalists and church historians. It is certain to be a reliable standard for a long time.' Thomas F. X. Noble, University of Notre Dame'This is an impressive book, on a topic that should be well known but is not. It provides an expert overview of the clergy in a period that bridges four dynamic medieval centuries and many regions. It is also a social history that makes 'the Church' come alive, in all its human diversity.' Mayke de Jong, Utrecht University'Clergy were central to medieval communities, but studies of them tend to be technical, specific, and obscure for non-specialists. Julia Barrow's thorough but admirably lucid overview is approachable at all levels. Historians will be stimulated by her broad-scale comparisons, and anyone interested in medieval society will find their understanding enriched.' John Blair, University of Oxford'Professor Barrow's ambitious study of the clergy between c.800 and c.1200 provides an excellent framework for understanding the development of an important but surprisingly neglected group. Historians of medieval society and particularly of the medieval church will welcome this book, which provides a deeply researched and comprehensive overview of the subject but will also serve as the starting point for much future work.' Hugh M. Thomas, University of MiamiTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. The clerical office, grades of ordination and clerical careers; 3. Rules for life: monastic influence on the secular clergy; 4. Clergy as family men: uncles and nephews, fathers and sons among the clergy; 5. The fostering of child clerics: commendation and nutritio; 6. The education of the cleric, I: schools; 7. The education of the cleric, II: schoolmasters, curricula and the role of education in clerical careers; 8. Household service and patronage; 9. Clergy of cathedral and collegiate churches; 10. Clergy serving local churches, 800–1200: the emergence of parish clergy; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisReligious War and Religious Peace in Early Modern Europe presents a novel account of the origins of religious pluralism in Europe. Combining comparative historical analysis with contentious political analysis, it surveys six clusters of increasingly destructive religious wars between 1529 and 1651, analyzes the diverse settlements that brought these wars to an end, and describes the complex religious peace that emerged from two centuries of experimentation in accommodating religious differences. Rejecting the older authoritarian interpretations of the age of religious wars, the author uses traditional documentary sources as well as photographic evidence to show how a broad range Europeans - from authoritative elites to a colorful array of religious 'dissenters' - replaced the cultural 'unity and purity' of late-medieval Christendom with a variable and durable pattern of religious diversity, deeply embedded in political, legal, and cultural institutions.Trade Review'Wayne P. Te Brake's comparative approach to religious war and peace across northwestern Europe after the Protestant Reformation offers a newly coherent language for understanding how Europeans learned - in complex and messy ways - to live side-by-side with those they viewed as 'heretics.' In a modern world facing new threats of religious war, Te Brake's clear-eyed yet optimistic interpretation of past generations' struggle to find religious peace will interest many readers - enhanced by his creative use of visual representations of religious co-existence from across the divided continent.' Randolph C. Head, University of California, Riverside'Religious War and Religious Peace in Early Modern Europe brilliantly brings together three phenomena, which are usually treated separately: the dynamics of religious wars, the complex processes of religious peace-building, and the conditions for religious coexistence in early modern Europe. This is a highly stimulating contribution to both historical and present peace and conflict research.' Dagmar Freist, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg, Germany'Wayne P. Te Brake's Religious War and Religious Peace in Early Modern Europe is an ambitious book that examines six sixteenth- and seventeenth-century religious wars, the peace settlements that ended them, and the patterns of religious coexistence that ensued. Te Brake frames his comparative analyses with social scientific models, in part inspired by the writings of Charles Tilly. … a fine piece of social history, which enriches our understanding of religious coexistence.' Peter G. Wallace, The American Historical Review'… the heart of the analysis provides a comprehensive tour of the Reformation period recognisable to early modern historians … It is particularly commendable that this book reaches out to and engages a wider readership …' Penny Roberts, Journal of Social History'Te Brake is expert in tracing military engagements, popular uprisings, violence and destruction, and then political outcomes, ad hoc tolerance, and compromises. This comparative approach is especially helpful in understanding what Te Brake himself describes as messy and complicated transformations that slowly (and after a great deal of destruction) led to the establishment of religious diversity throughout Europe by the end of the seventeenth century … well-written and well-organized …' Rudolph P. Almasy, Anglican and Episcopal HistoryTable of Contents1. Religion and violence, war and peace; Part I. 1529–55: 2. Wars and rumors of war; 3. Managing conflict, validating diversity; 4. The contours of religious peace I: Central Europe; Part II. 1562–1609: 5. Religious war unleashed; 6. An elusive peace; 7. Ending war, shaping peace; 8. The contours of religious peace II: Western Europe; Part III. 1618–51: 9. Climax and denouement; 10. Grudging consent; 11. The contours of religious peace III: the Continent; 12. The contours of religious peace IV: Great Britain; Conclusion: 13. Envisioning religious peace; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Hours was a 'best-seller' in medieval and early modern Europe. This interdisciplinary study offers a full account of how it was used as a book - how it was read to guide prayer and teach literacy and what it meant to its owners as a personal possession.Trade Review'This is an admirable book, an original and valuable contribution to the literature on the Book of Hours, and beyond that, to the understanding of late medieval religion in general.' Eamon Duffy, University of Cambridge'Professor Reinburg offers penetrating and deeply informed readings of hundreds of French and Latin Books of Hours, manuscript and printed. A joy to read, this is a magisterial study of prayer, the one form of devotion open to all, in the period when devotion was challenged and rethought.' Lee Palmer Wandel, University of Wisconsin, Madison'Virginia Reinburg's wonderful book is a testament to her total dedication to an object which for two centuries offered a fascinating means of communicating with the sacred. Through its sensitivity and its intelligence it will stand as an important touchstone in our understanding of the phenomenology of the religious imagination, the social and linguistic history of the book, and the religious anthropology of the late Middle Ages and the early modern period.' Denis Crouzet, University of Paris-Sorbonne and Director of the Roland Mousnier Centre'Reinburg treats the Book of Hours in an innovative light, illustrating the rich variety of these medieval bestsellers and showing the many ways medieval and early modern people read these books, the multivocality of their prayer, the interaction between collective and individual engagement with the texts, and the multiple practical usages of the books for both devotion and literacy. Given its wideranging conclusions about the evolving nature of prayer, this book will be useful to medieval and early modern scholars in a number of fields, including religion, literature, art history, and history. Reinburg's book should prove accessible to advanced undergraduates and useful to those broadly interested in the history of spirituality, emotion, and prayer, especially as regards the emergence of individual devotion.' Jenny C. Bledsoe, Hortulus'… the editors have assembled contributions that are sparkling with ideas and new perspectives, as well as presenting a vast amount of new information. This publication will be a necessary point of reference for many years to come.' Rowan Watson, AMARC NewsletterTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. A Social History of the Book of Hours: Prologue to Part I; 1. Culture and commerce; 2. Owners and their books; 3. Prayer book and primer; Part II. An Ethnography of Prayer: Prologue to Part II; 4. Words and rites; 5. A fragment of a religion; 6. Prayer to the Virgin Mary; Conclusion; Bibliography.

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This richly illustrated account is the first full-scale investigation of the dramatic changes experienced by the English parish church during the English Reformation. Drawing on a wealth of documentary evidence, Robert Whiting reveals how, why and by whom these ancient buildings were transformed.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1941, this book was originally intended as a popular guide to the Scottish Prayer Book. Perry explains the services in the order in which they appear in the Prayer Book while simultaneously attempting 'to justify the truths embodied in them'.Table of ContentsNote; 1. Christian worship and its history; 2. Regulation of worship; kalendar; lessons; psalter; 3. The order of morning and evening prayer; compline; litanies; prayers and thanksgivings; 4. The collects, epistles, and gospels; holy communion; 5. Holy baptism; thanksgiving of women after child-birth; 6. Catechism; confirmation; holy matrimony; 7. Visitation and communion of the sick; burial of the dead; a penitential service; 8. Ordination services and the accession service; 9. 'The best of Anglican prayer books'.

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Book SynopsisIn this collection of richly documented case studies, experts in many textual traditions examine the ways in which important texts were preserved, explicated, corrected, and used for a variety of purposes. The authors describe the multiple ways in which scholars in different cultures have addressed some of the same tasks, revealing both radical differences and striking similarities in textual practices across space, time and linguistic borders. This volume shows how much is learned when historians of scholarship, like contemporary historians of science, focus on earlier scholars'' practices, and when Western scholarly traditions are treated as part of a much larger, cross-cultural inquiry.Trade Review'… this transcultural investigation is the fruit of comparative and collaborative scholarship at its best. It is, to use the editors' coinage, a 'symphilological' achievement that will leave its readers with a habit of stopping to think about the particularity of scholarly practices and its implications for the history of ideas. All the contributions are lucidly written with a cross-disciplinary audience in mind and beautifully documented with images, tables, and transcriptions of the evidence discussed … the choice to let the individual contributions speak for themselves, along with the work of comparison and juxtaposition germane to the textual practice of the essay collection, seems a forceful methodological statement for a project that places the case study at the heart of its epistemic undertaking.' Tania Demetriuo, Isis ReviewTable of ContentsHow to do things with texts: an introduction Anthony Grafton and Glenn W. Most; 1. Reliable books: Islamic law, canonization, and manuscripts in the Ottoman Empire (sixteenth to eighteenth centuries) Guy Burak; 2. Obscurity Ineke Sluiter; 3. Allegoresis and etymology Glenn W. Most; 4. Classifying the Rigveda on the basis of ritual usage: the deity-of-the-formula system Paolo Visigalli; 5. Maryādām Ullanghya: The boundaries of interpretation in early modern India Christopher Minkowski; 6. Making sense of Suetonius in the twelfth century Robert A. Kaster; 7. From Philology to Philosophy: Zhu Xi as a reader-annotator Lianbin Dai; 8. Gods on clay: ancient Near Eastern scholarly practices and the history of religions Aaron Tugendhaft; 9. An unknown medieval Coptic Hebraism? On a momentous junction of Jewish and Coptic biblical studies Ronny Vollandt; 10. Picturing as practice: placing a square above a square in the central Middle Ages Megan McNamee; 11. Inimitable sources: canonical texts and rhetorical theory in the Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Hebrew traditions Filippomaria Pontani; 12. Excerpts versus fragments: deconstructions and reconstitutions of the Excerpta Constantiniana András Németh; 13. Johann Buxtorf makes a notebook Anthony Grafton and Joanna Weinberg; 14. World bibliographies: libraries and the reorganization of knowledge in late Renaissance Europe Paola Molino.

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Book SynopsisA fresh approach to the Gnostic current of Late Antiquity within its historical and religious context, including a thorough discussion of the entire preserved Gnostic literature as found in Greek, Latin and Coptic. An essential resource for those researching the history of Late Antiquity and early Christianity.Trade Review"...This is a trustworthy, nuanced guide to recent scholarship.... Recommended..." --S. Young, McHenry County College, CHOICETable of ContentsPreface; 1. Gnosis and Gnostic religion; 2. Gnostic literature I: tradition; 3. Gnostic literature II: texts; 4. Anti-Gnostic literature; 5. Gnosis: essence and expressions; 6. Backgrounds.

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Book SynopsisThe Levant - modern Lebanon, southern Syria, Jordan, Israel and Palestine - is one of the most intensively excavated regions of the world. This richly documented and illustrated survey offers a state-of-the-art description of the formative phase of Levantine societies, as they perfected the Mediterranean village economy and began to interact with neighboring civilizations in Egypt and Syria, on the way to establishing their first towns and city-state polities. Citing numerous finds and interpretive approaches, Greenberg offers a new narrative of social and cultural development, emulation, resistance and change, illustrating how Levantine communities translated broader movements of the Near Eastern and Mediterranean Bronze Age - the emergence of states, international trade, elite networks and imperial ambitions - into a uniquely Levantine idiom.Trade Review'… It is the geographic characteristics of this region that shaped the Levant and its cultures, creating a uniquely Levantine idiom. Its diverse landscapes, microregions and climates, and lack of unifying geographic features tended to suppress the ability to accumulate great amounts of surplus or wealth (which, in turn, would have required the development of large bureaucracies). These tendencies also encouraged exploitation of the region by imperial powers. The result is the resilience, creativity, and flexibility to adapt to new situations as narrated in Greenberg's masterly, nuanced, and engaging account of the Bronze Age Levant.' Ann E. Killibrew, Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage StudiesTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Villages and the growth of social power in the Early Bronze I; 3. Urbanism and its demise in the Early Bronze II and III; 4. The Intermediate Bronze Age – entering the orbit of Syria; 5. Villages, manors, and integrated city-states of the Middle Bronze Age; 6. The Late Bronze Age – under Egypt's heel; 7. Conclusion – the legacy of the Bronze Age Levant.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines literary analogies in Christian and Jewish sources, culminating in an in-depth analysis of striking parallels and connections between Christian monastic texts (the Apophthegmata Patrum or 'The Sayings of the Desert Fathers') and Babylonian Talmudic traditions. The importance of the monastic movement in the Persian Empire, during the time of the composition and redaction of the Babylonian Talmud, fostered a literary connection between the two religious populations. The shared literary elements in the literatures of these two elite religious communities sheds new light on the surprisingly inclusive nature of the Talmudic corpora and on the non-polemical nature of elite Jewish-Christian literary relations in late antique Persia.Trade Review'The comparisons that Bar-Asher Siegal makes between the rabbinic texts and Christian monastic texts are extraordinarily enlightening and thought-provoking …' Joshua Kulp, Prooftexts: A Journal of Jewish Literary History'This book will certainly be a necessary reading not only for Talmudic scholars, but for students of Christian monastic literature as well.' Jonathan L. Zecher, Reviews in Religion and Theology'This book is a truly pioneering endeavor. … The excitement of this book is in its particular readings of well-studied talmudic narratives, and its demonstration of how points of obscurity (either known or unknown unknowns) are illuminated when compared with stories from the Desert Fathers. One of the most impressive of these is her work on the Bavli's narrative of the conversion of Resh Lakish: Resh Lakish was some sort of brigand and perhaps a gladiator as well as a pursuer of women.' Daniel Boyarin, Los Angeles Review of Books'Few first books of a scholar based on a doctoral dissertation can be described as both pioneering and outstanding. While it might be an exaggeration to state that Michal Bar-Asher Siegal has established a brand new cutting-edge field in talmudics, she has come close … Bar-Asher Siegal's groundbreaking work is just the beginning. It sheds light not only on talmudics and rabbinic literature but also on the understanding of the history of Jew and Christian and their religions in the ancient world and the relationships between them. One looks forward to the future work of the author as well as of those who will also continue the study of the cultural and historical phenomena that she began.' Joshua Schwartz, Reviews of Biblical LiteratureTable of Contents1. Christianity in the Babylonian Talmud: an introductory discussion; 2. Monasticism in the Persian Empire; 3. Common themes in the Apophthegmata Patrum and rabbinic literature: form, style, and themes; 4. Common themes in the Apophthegmata Patrum and rabbinic literature: narrative; 5. The making of a monk-rabbi: the stories of R. Shimon bar Yohai in the cave; 6. Repentant whore, repentant rabbi: the story of Elazar B. Dordya; Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisThis advanced undergraduate textbook is the first comparative survey of heresy and its response throughout the medieval world. Spanning England to Persia, it examines heresy, error, and religious dissent - and efforts to end them through correction, persuasion, or punishment - among Latin Christians, Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims.Trade Review'By showing that heresy can be treated within a single framework which embraces Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Caldwell Ames has in effect redefined the subject, and made an important contribution to comparative world history. In doing so she sustains a high level of learning and intellectual power and originality over a range almost as remarkable chronologically - from patristic times until the early modern period - as culturally.' R. I. Moore, Newcastle University'Christine Caldwell Ames has written the most original and readable account of the emergence of unacceptable difference in religious belief and practice in the Abrahamic religions in the pre-modern period. She first describes the foundational differences among diaspora Judaism, Greek and Latin Christianity, and Islam between the fourth and eighth centuries. She then treats the establishment of an authoritative orthodoxy in each and the stresses within each that created different kinds of heterodoxies and different kinds of censures. Her conclusion points to several enduring consequences of these in all three religions down to the present.' Edward Peters, University of Pennsylvania'Nothing comparable to the extant literature on Christian heresy exists for the Islamic world, while the terminological controversy - can we speak of 'orthodoxy' in Islam? - adds to the imbalance. With its comparative perspective to the three Abrahamic religions through history and its nuanced discussion of how 'heresy' is constructed and by whom, Caldwell Ames's book is a much welcome contribution that helps promote a better understanding of the Islamic case and provides stimuli for further research.' Maribel Fierro, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas'Christine Caldwell Ames not only provides us with a comprehensive study of heresy, or heresies, in medieval European and Near Eastern lands, but also puts forward a convincing thesis about the interplay between religious thought and social dynamics that cuts across confessional traditions.' Uriel Simonsohn, Speculum'Undoubtedly, this is a very useful, erudite and needed book vividly showing the entangled history of religious dissent in these historical monotheisms … Her book can be thus used in a variety of ways, ranging from pure academic interest and research to teaching and other educational purposes, especially in current times, in which the continuing relevance of these monotheistic religions and their perceptions of 'right' and 'wrong' (or 'orthodoxy' and 'heresy', if you like) in various constellations becomes more than evident and at times makes the headlines worldwide.' Vasilios N. Makrides, Entangled ReligionsTable of ContentsIntroduction: 'My community will be divided': heresy in the medieval world; 1. Peoples of the book (380–661); 2. Triumphs of orthodoxy (661–1031); 3. The perfect hatred (1031–1209); 4. Cinders and ashes (1209–1328); 5. Purity and peoples (1328–1510); Epilogue; For further reading; Glossary; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe story of Adam and Eve played a central role in the religious controversies of sixteenth-century Europe. This is the first book to explore the variety and circulation of stories about Adam and Eve in German Lutheran areas and to analyze their place in Lutheran culture and identity.Trade Review'A well-written, thoughtful book. Recommended.' Choice'Kathleen Crowther, rejecting the recent regional approach of Reformation scholarship based on archives, has mined these exegetical literary and artistic sources to reconstruct what she describes as a specifically Lutheran culture and identity …' Glyn Parry, Victoria University of Wellington'Kathleen M. Crowther's study is to be warmly welcomed as an important contribution to Reformation studies and will doubtless inspire others to conduct similar research for other regions.' Salvador Ryan, Sixteenth Century Journal'In this book, Kathleen Crowther analyzes the diverse ways in which the Genesis account of mankind's Creation and Fall was interpreted by Lutheran authors and artists.' Bridget Heal, The Journal of Modern History'Crowther presents some fascinating insights into the way in which theological ideas interacted with and shaped popular understandings of the human person and the natural world.' British Journal for the History of Science'In her book, [Kathleen Crowther] provides an insightful portrait of both the theological novelties and the historical perceptions which grew out of the Lutherean Reformation. Awarded the Gerald Strauss prize by the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Reformation theologains and early modern historians will recognise the theme of this book, but the general populace will find the topic intriguing and genuinely enlightening as explored by Crowther in this extensive and well-illustrated investigation.' Timothy Maschke, Concordia Theological JournalTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Adam and Eve in the Reformation; 2. In His image and likeness; 3. Framing Eve; 4. Gender and generation; 5. The book of nature; 6. The children of Adam and Eve; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the culture, politics, and ideas of the nineteenth-century German secularist movements of Free Religion, Freethought, Ethical Culture, and Monism. In it, Todd H. Weir argues that although secularists challenged church establishment and conservative orthodoxy, they were subjected to the forces of religious competition.Trade Review'Secularism and Religion in Nineteenth-Century Germany is a highly original, deeply researched, elegantly argued, and very significant contribution to modern German history. Crossing virtually all of the topics of recent interest in the field, including secularization, anti-Semitism, the Kulturkampf, monism, the history of Berlin, and esoteric religious pursuits, Todd Weir blends recent research with older debates concerning Bismarck's policies, the Strange Death of German Liberalism, and the problem of Jewish assimilation. Readers will surely be impressed by the depth of Weir's research and the subtlety of his argumentation, and even subjects they thought they knew well will look different on viewing them from the perspective of 'the fourth confession'.' Suzanne L. Marchand, Louisiana State University'Todd H. Weir's book is a social and political history of organized secularism in nineteenth-century Berlin as it unfolded in the context of the German confessional system. Rather than simply providing a conventional intellectual history of secularist ideas, this study focuses on the organizations that promoted 'free religious' or secularist worldviews, the sociological composition of their memberships, and the legal and political parameters in which they operated. The result is a tour de force of historical research and argumentation. Deeply grounded in archival sources and relevant social theory, Weir's study will force scholars to rethink how they approach the entire religious history of nineteenth-century Germany.' George S. Williamson, Florida State University'Weir has produced an impressive study about a subject that belongs to a still largely unexplored territory … From the perspective of the twenty-first century the author is certainly correct: secularism has become an important voice in the concert of worldviews, even if today among [a] differentiated field of confessions and world religions.' Joachim Schmiedl, translated from Sehepunkte (sehepunkte.de)'… fascinating …' Marshall Poe, New Books in History (newbooksinhistory.com)'By considering the interplay of secularism and confessionalism in nineteenth-century Germany, Weir has obliged historians of German religion and society to rethink both secularism and confession. [He] deftly shows how secularism existed not merely in conflict with the traditional confessions and state churches, but also how it was inextricably linked to them. Confessional structures regulated not only confessing members of the churches and their congregations, but religious dissidents and those outside of the traditional confessions as well. Most importantly, Weir has provided historians of German religion and society [with] a compelling case for how the apparently disparate histories of increasing secularization and renewed sectarianism coexisted during the nineteenth century.' Stan M. Landry, German History'Future scholars will have to contend with Weir's argument that secularism needs to stand alongside Protestantism, Catholicism, and Judaism as a 'fourth confession' in nineteenth-century Germany. His study forcefully demonstrates that it was not simply the opposite of religion or the absence of religion, but rather that secularism articulated its own philosophical position, worked hard to create and maintain social and cultural communities that acknowledged and subscribed to this vision, and had a sizeable impact on modern Central European developments well into the twentieth century.' Central European History'Secularism and Religion in Nineteenth-Century Germany leaves an indelible impression as one of the most original, stimulating, and transformative contributions to a dynamic field that now, thanks to Weir's bold historiographical enlargement, offers the empirical rationale, theoretical flexibility, and explanatory range for clarifying the cultural experience of nearly every German.' Jeffrey T. Zalar, The Journal of Modern History'Weir's attempt to replace the structural-historical term 'secularization' with the actor-centred concept of 'secularism' is also worth noting. … Weir convincingly distinguishes his use of the term 'secularism' from Talal Asad's use of the same term. In the dichotomous view of global history put forward by Asad and other post-colonial thinkers, 'secularism' essentially stands for the subjugation of subaltern religious and political arrangements by Western liberals. Weir, by contrast, rightly shows how deeply 'secularism' was contested in the West itself, and that it was anything but a hegemonic concept. In its conceptual structure, therefore, the book goes far beyond the history of 'peripatetic religiosity' in nineteenth-century Germany.' Klaus Große Kracht, Bulletin of the German Historical Institute, London'Weir demonstrates that despite their claim to have escaped the competition of worldviews, in the end the secularists always operated as confessional actors in the religious field.' Katharina Neef, translated from H-Soz-Kult (www.hsozkult.de)'… [Weir's] well-argued study is creative and repays careful reading. It is also highly topical … The fact that church and state in Germany are still so enmeshed makes Weir's book that much more significant; his analytical prism of 'secularism' will certainly invigorate the study of the German 'confessional' state.' Robert Beachy, The American Historical Review'This is a book that seeks continually to undercut the binaries that structure the way in which historians have considered these issues. Secularism, in this reading, appears both inside and outside confession. Anti-clericalism was a force not just against but also within the religious sphere. Kulturkampf legislation proved as destabilising for protestant churches as for German catholics. … There is intellectual history here, and social history too. But the core of Weir's book is the political meaning of secularism in the Prussian nineteenth century. For this is a study of how the constraints imposed by confessionalism and the Prussian state shaped secularism as a spiritual current and a political community. While secularism itself was never a mainstream movement, Weir argues persuasively that it punched above its weight politically and was symbiotically linked first to radical democratic associational life and politics, and then to the sub-culture that was Prussian socialism.' Abigail Green, English Historical ReviewTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Dissidence and confession 1845 to 1847; 2. Free religious worldview: from Christian rationalism to naturalistic monism; 3. The sociology of dissent: free religion and popular science; 4. Politics and free religion in the 1860s and 1870s; 5. Secularism in the Berlin Kulturkampf 1869–80; 6. From worldview to ethics: secularism and the 'Jewish Question' 1878–92; 7. Secularism in Wilhelmine Germany; Epilogue: German secularism after 1914.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1930, this book gives an overview of the rich history of Dover Priory from its foundation during the Saxon period until its dissolution in 1538. The text is accompanied by pictures of the abbey, its surroundings, and its artifacts.Table of ContentsForeword; Introduction. The arrival of Christianity in Britain and the rise and progress of monasticism in this country; 1. The antecedents of the priory and the ancestry of St Martin's church in Dover; 2. The foundation of the priory and its 200-year quarrel with Christ Church, Canterbury; 3. The history of the site, subsequent to the dissolution of the priory and the survey of its possessions taken at that time; 4. The buildings of the priory; 5. Chronological history of the priors; 6. Life in the priory, with appendix on the priory library; 7. The possessions and revenues of the priory with Appendix 1 on the Dover customs and Appendix 2 on the exchange of the Toll of Dover for the Manor of Middleton; Appendix 1. The priory seals and arms; Appendix 2. This year's accounts of the priory for 1530–1; Appendix 3. Life of St Thomas de la Hale; Appendix 4. Text of Winchelsey's injunctions to Dover priory; Appendix 5. Archbishop Warham's visitation of the priory; Appendix 6. The quarrel between the town and priory of Dover - original text; Appendix 7. Text of the preface to the cartulary of Dover priory at Lambeth; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Codex Bruce was bought during the 18th century by the famous traveller James Bruce in Upper Egypt. After his return to England, the text was copied with many errors and the original papyri badly bound. This 1933 book corrects many of the earlier errors associated with this unusual Gnostic text.Table of ContentsPreface; Introductory notes; Plates and transcript; Translation and commentary; Indexes: 1. Greek words; 2. Contracted words; 3. Proper names; 4. Words of uncertain derivation; 5. Subject index.

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Book SynopsisThis second edition offers an updated global history of Pentecostalism, addressing recent events and significant changes in what has become the fastest growing religious movement. A survey of the main theoretical issues will make this book important for those studying Pentecostalism, Charismatic Christianity, theology and sociology of religion.Trade Review'… an indispensable resource to students and scholars of Pentecostalism, Charismatic Christianity, theology and religion.' Babatunde Adedibu, The Expository TimesTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction; Part I. History: 2. Background and context; 3. North America; 4. Latin America and Caribbean; 5. Europe; 6. Sub-Saharan Africa; 7. Asia, Australia and Pacific; 8. Charismatic renewal; Part II. Analysis: 9. Theology of the spirit; 10. Mission and evangelism; 11. Bible and full gospel; 12. Academy and ecumenism; 13. Gender and society; 14. Politics and economics; 15. Globalisation and prospects.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published 1934, this book addresses the history of the pronunciation of ecclesiastical Latin, particularly in England. Brittain traces developments in pronunciation from the Middle Ages, when Latin was evolving into the various Romance languages, to England in the early twentieth century. This succinct book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ecclesiastical Latin and the various changes it has undergone since the early days of the Church.Table of ContentsLatin in church: episodes in the history of its pronunciation, particularly in England.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a significant rereading of political and ecclesiastical developments during the English Revolution, by integrating them into broader European discussions about Christianity and civil society. Sarah Mortimer reveals the extent to which these discussions were shaped by the writing of the Socinians, an extremely influential group of heterodox writers. She provides the first treatment of Socinianism in England for over fifty years, demonstrating the interplay between theological ideas and political events in this period as well as the strong intellectual connections between England and Europe. Royalists used Socinian ideas to defend royal authority and the episcopal Church of England from both Parliamentarians and Thomas Hobbes. But Socinianism was also vigorously denounced and, after the Civil Wars, this attack on Socinianism was central to efforts to build a church under Cromwell and to provide toleration. The final chapters provide a new account of the religious settlTrade Review'Mortimer's study offers crucial insight into this previously ill-understood aspect of English history, shedding light on [Socinian] influence during the mid seventeenth century … there is much to be learnt from this impressive study about a whole range of interrelated debates that were of central importance to the religious and political developments of the period.' Richard Bell, Reviews in History'This admirable work of scholarship will be valuable to anyone interested in the complex debates that shaped the religious and political developments of the period.' History of Political Thought'All students of seventeenth-century English theology, history, and politics are indebted to Sarah Mortimer for a richly contextualized account of the widespread reception and utilization of a variety of Socinian ideas.' Martyn Cowan, ChurchmanTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. The Socinian challenge to Protestant Christianity; 2. Socinianism in England and Europe; 3. The Great Tew Circle: Socinianism and scholarship; 4. Royalists, Socinianism and the English Civil War; 5. Socinianism and the Church of England; 6. Reason, religion and the doctrine of the Trinity; 7. Anti-trinitarianism, Socinianism and the limits of toleration; 8. Socinianism and the Cromwellian Church settlement; Conclusion: the legacy of Socinianism.

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Book SynopsisCreatio ex nihilo - the principle that God created the world from nothing - is a foundational doctrine in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This edited collection explores how we might recover a place for this doctrine and a consistent defence of the God of Abraham in philosophical, scientific and theological terms.Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'This book is an example of inter-faith dialogue at its most constructive … This collection is a magnificent achievement. It left me hoping for a thoroughgoing formulation of 'theology and science' which started from what this book lays before us. I venture that almost all we need for the renewal of that field could be found in this exceptional volume.' Church TimesTable of ContentsList of contributors; Preface David D. Burrell and Janet M. Soskice; Introduction Carlo Cogliati; 1. Creation ex nihilo: early history Ernan McMullin; 2. Creatio ex nihilo: its Jewish and Christian foundations Janet M. Soskice; 3. The act of creation with its theological consequences David D. Burrell; 4. Scotistic metaphysics and creation ex nihilo Alexander Broadie; 5. Creation and the context of theology and science in Maimonides and Crescas Dan Davies; 6. Creation: Avicenna's metaphysical account Rahim Acar; 7. Four conceptions of creatio ex nihilo and the compatibility question Pirooz Fatoorchi; 8. Will, necessity, and creation as monistic theophany in the Islamic philosophical tradition Ibrahim Kalim; 9. Trinity, motion and creation ex nihilo Simon Oliver; 10. The big bang, quantum cosmology and creatio ex nihilo William R. Stoeger; 11. What is written into creation? Simon Conway Morris; 12. Creatio ex nihilo and dual causality James R. Pambrun; 13. God and creatures acting: the idea of double agency Thomas F. Tracy; 14. Thomas Aquinas on knowing and coming to know: the Beatific vision and learning from contingency Eugene F. Rogers.

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable text in the history of medieval JewishChristian relations, this work documents one of the first allegations of Jewish ritual murder. This 1896 edition includes an English translation and extensive introductory material by Augustus Jessop and M. R. James.Table of ContentsPreface; Introduction: 1. Thomas of Monmouth; 2. The Benedictine Priory at Norwich; 3. East Anglia in the reign of Stephen; 4. The Norwich Jews; 5. The manuscript. The text. The history of the book; 6. The legend; 7. The cult and iconography of St. William; Chronological table; The Life and Miracles of St. William of Norwich, by Thomas of Monmouth: Books I–VII. Corrigenda; Index.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in French, this work by Éliphas Lévi (181075) was translated into English by occult historian Arthur Waite in 1913. In this book, Lévi traces Western magic from its origins in the ancient world to the nineteenth-century occult revival. Lévi's French edition is also reissued in this series.Table of ContentsPreface to the English translation; Introduction; Part I. The Derivations of Magic: 1. Fabulous sources; 2. Magic of the magi; 3. Magic in India; 4. Hermetic magic; 5. Magic in Greece; 6. Mathematical magic of Pythagoras; 7. The holy Kabalah; Part II. Formation and Development of Dogmas: 1. Primitive symbolism of history; 2. Mysticism; 3. Initiations and ordeals; 4. The magic of public worship; 5. Mysteries of virginity; 6. Superstitions; 7. Magical monuments; Part III. Divine Synthesis and Realisation of Magia by the Christian Revelation: 1. Christ accused of magic by the Jews; 2. The witness of magic to Christianity; 3. The devil; 4. The last pagans; 5. Legends; 6. Some kabalistic paintings and sacred emblems; 7. Philosophers of the Alexandrian schools; Part IV. Magic and Civilisation: 1. Magic among barbarians; 2. Influence of women; 3. The Salic laws against sorcerers; 4. Legends of the reign of Charlemagne; 5. Magicians; 6. Some famous prosecutions; 7. Superstitions relating to the devil; Part V. The adepts and the priesthood: 1. Priests and popes accused of magic; 2. Appearance of the Bohemian nomads; 3. Legend and history of Raymund Lully; 4. On certain alchemists; 5. Some famous sorcerers and magicians; 6. Some magical prosecutions; 7. The magical origin of Freemasonry; Part VI. Magic and the Revolution: 1. Remarkable authors of the eighteenth century; 2. Thaumaturgic personalities of the eighteenth century; 3. Prophecies of Cazotte; 4. The French revolution; 5. Phenomena of mediomania; 6. The German illuminati; 7. Empire and restoration; Part VII. Magic in the Nineteenth Century: 1. Magnetic mystics and materialists; 2. Hallucinations; 3. Mesmerists and somnambulists; 4. The fantastic side of magical literature; 5. Some private recollections of the writer; 6. The occult sciences; 7. Summary and conclusions; Appendix; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis Companion volume offers a concise and engaging introduction to the New Testament. Including twenty-two especially-commissioned essays, written by an international team of scholars, it examines a range of topics related to the historical and religious contexts in which the contents of the Christian canon emerged. Providing an overview of the critical approaches and methods currently applied to the study of biblical texts, it also includes chapters on each of the writings in the New Testament. The volume serves as an excellent resource for students who have some familiarity with the New Testament and who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the state of academic discussion and debate. Readers will also gain a sense of the new research questions that are emerging from current scholarship.Trade Review'Overall, the volume offers a wonderful overview for beginning students or curious readers and effectively presents the issues in New Testament studies. Thus, it is a guide for those who wish to take a deeper dive into any particular facet of the New Testament. Every essay includes helpful footnotes, and suggestions for further reading appear at the end of each essay. A useful index of both names and concepts offers quick referencing ... Recommended.' A. L. Kolp, Choice Connect'The book achieves its purpose very well and with consistently lucid, engaging, and insightful essays written by a stellar team of biblical scholars. … it is a current, concise, and fine overview that will be especially beneficial to graduate students in biblical studies and to pastors and others who want to update their knowledge of an ever-developing field of study.' Wiliam E. W. Robinson, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and TheologyTable of ContentsPart I. Historical Context: 1. The social and political milieu Helen K. Bond; 2. The religious and philosophical milieu John T. Fitzgerald; 3. The historical Jesus Sarah E. Rollens and Anthony C. Le Donne; 4. The life and letters of Paul Margaret M. Mitchell; Part II. The New Testament Writings: 5. The gospel of Mark Michael F. Bird; 6. The gospel of Matthew Paul Foster; 7. The Third gospel and the acts of the Apostles Mikeal C. Parsons; 8. The gospel of John George Parsenios; 9. 1-2 Thessalonians Nijay Gupta; 10. 1-2 Corinthians Alexandra Brown; 11. Romans and Galatians Matthew V. Novenson; 12. The Prison Epistles Jerry Sumney; 13. Letters to Paul's associates (1-2 Timothy, Titus) Benjamin White; 14. The Letter to the Hebrews David M. Moffitt; 15. The general epistles Patrick J. Hartin; 16. Revelation Leslie Baynes; Part III. Methods and Modes of Interpretation: 17. The canon of the new testament Julia Snyder; 18. Historical-critical methods James W. Barker; 19. Literary approaches Elizabeth E. Shively; 20. Social sciences, social history, and ideology James Crossley; 24. The new testament and theology Kevin J. Vanhoozer.

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Book SynopsisThis Cambridge Companion serves as an authoritative guide to Augustine''sConfessions - a literary classic and one of the most important theological/philosophical works of Late Antiquity. Bringing together new essays by leading scholars, the volume first examines the composition of the text, including its structure, genre, and intended audience. Subsequent essays explore a range of themes and concepts, such as God, creation, sin, grace, happiness, and interiority, among others.The final section of the Companion deals with its historical relevance. It provides sample essays on the reception history of theConfessions. These essays demonstrate how each generation reads theConfessionsin light of current questions and circumstances, and how the text continues to remain relevant and raise new questions.Table of ContentsIntroduction: what is The Cambridge Companion to Augustine's 'Confessions'? Tarmo Toom; Part I. Circumstances of Composition: 1. Title, time, and circumstances of composition Carolyn Hammond; 2. Genre and structure of the Confessions Annemaré Kotzé; 3. Anticipated readers Jason BeDuhn; Part II. Main Themes and Topics: 4. Aversion and conversion Marie-Anne Vannier; 5. Creation and recreation Matthew Drever; 6. Sin and concupiscence Johannes van Oort; 7. Grace Volker Henning Drecoll; 8. God Paul van Geest; 9. Happiness and friendship Anne-Isabelle Bouton-Touboulic; 10. Love, will, and the intellectual ascents Sarah Byers; 11. Memory, time, and eternity Lenka Karfiková; 12. Philosophy Giovanni Catapano; 13. Pride and humility Notker Baumann; 13. Soul, self, and interiority Phillip Cary; Part III. Reception and Reading Strategies: 14. Manuscript transmission, critical editions, and English translations Gert Partoens; 15. Reception in the Middle Ages Eric Leland Saak; 16. Reception in the period of reformations Katrin Ettenhuber; 17. Reception during the enlightenment Patrick Riley; 18. Reading (in) the Confessions Mark Vessey.

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Book SynopsisThe Cambridge Companion to the Apostolic Fathersoffers an informative introduction to the extant body of Christian texts that existed beside and after the New Testament known to us as the apostolic fathers. Featuring cutting-edge research by leading scholars, it explores how the early Church expanded and evolved over the course of the first and second centuries as evidenced by its textual history. The volume includes thematic essays on imperial context, the relationship between Christianity and Judaism, the growth and diversification of the early church, influences and intertextuality, and female leaders in the early church. The Companion contains ground-breaking essays on the individual texts with specific attention given to debates of authorship, authenticity, dating, and theological texture. The Companion will serve as an essential resource for instructors and students of the first two centuries of Christianity.Trade Review'The essays are uniformly informative and accessible, and the book is nicely indexed. This collection should be particularly helpful to advanced students of Christian origins and related history … Recommended.' P. K. Moser, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsIntriguing and Enigmatic: Apostolic Fathers Themselves, and Current Research on Them Scott Harrower; 1. The Roman Empire in the Era of the Apostolic Fathers MICHAEL J. SVIGEL; 2. The Image of Jews and Judaism in the Apostolic Fathers Philip Alexander; 3. Second Century Diversity David E. Wilhite; 4. The Jesus Tradition in the Apostolic Fathers STEPHEN E. YOUNG; 5. The Text of the New Testament in the Apostolic Fathers Paul Foster; 6. The Reception of Paul, Peter, and James in the Apostolic Fathers BEN EDSALL; 7. Between Ekklēsia and State: The Apostolic Fathers and the Roman Empire Andrew Gregory; 8. Church, Church Ministry, and Church Order David J. Downs; 9. The Apostolic Mothers Clare K. Rothschild; 10. One and Two Clement Janelle Peters; 11. THE LETTERS OF IGNATIUS Jonathon Lookadoo; 12. Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians and the Martyrdom of Polycarp Paul A. Hartog; 13. Didache Clayton N. Jefford; 14. The Epistle of Barnabas Reidar Hvalvik; 15. The Shepherd of Hermas as Early Christian Apocalypse Dan Batovici; 16. The Epistle to Diognetus and the Fragment of Quadratus Michael F. Bird and Kirsten H. Mackerras; 17. The Fragments of Papias Stephen Carlson.

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Book SynopsisThroughout the history of Christianity, the four canonical gospels have proven to be vital resources for Christian thought and practice, and an inspiration for humanistic culture generally. Indeed, the gospels and their interpretation have had a profound impact on theology, philosophy, the sciences, ethics, worship, architecture, and the creative arts. Building on the strengths of the first edition, The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels, 2nd edition, takes account of new directions in gospels research, notably: the milieu in which the gospels were read, copied, and circulated alongside non-canonical gospels; renewed debates about the sources of the gospels and their interrelations; how central gospel themes are illuminated by a variety of critical approaches and theological readings; the reception of the gospels over time and in various media; and how the gospels give insight into the human condition.Trade Review'This is a most useful and attractive volume, not only for beginners, but for all interested in being stimulated by new slants on the evangelists, often characterized as the lion, the man, the ox, and the eagle.' Stephen Platten, The Living Church'Scholarly introductions to the Gospels abound: what makes the present study unique is its balance of historical-critical and religious interests and ability to comprehensively and exhaustively summarize current research while remaining accessible to nonspecialists. Recommended.' J. P. Blosser, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsPart I. Approaching the Gospels: Context and Method: 1. What is a gospel? Loveday Alexander; 2. The fourfold gospel Francis Watson; 3. Gospel sources and inter-relations Todd Brewer; 4. The scriptural matrix of the Gospels Richard B. Hays and Christopher Blumhofer; 5. The gospels and 'the historical Jesus' Stephen E. Fowl; 6. The gospels and the reader Sandra M. Schneiders; Part II. The Gospels as Witnesses to Christ: Content and Interpretation: 7. The Gospel according to Matthew Roland Deines; 8. The Gospel according to Mark Elizabeth E. Shively; 9. The Gospel according to Luke John T. Squires; 10. The Gospel according to John Christopher W. Skinner; 11. Gospels canonical and non-canonical as witnesses to Christ Simon Gathercole; 12. God and the knowledge of God in the gospels Stephen C. Barton; Part III. The Afterlife of the Gospels: Impact on Church and Society: 13. The gospels and doctrine Frances Young; 14. Reception history of the gospels Christine Joynes; 15. Praying the gospels: spirituality and worship Gordon Mursell; 16. The gospels embodied: the lives of saints and martyrs David Matzko Mccarthy; 17. The gospels in morality and politics Scott Bader-Saye; 18. The gospels for the life of the world Ben Quash.

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Book SynopsisThe Christian doctrine of justification is of immense interest to historians and theologians ,and continues to be of major importance in modern ecumenical discussions. The present work appeared in its first edition in 1986, and rapidly became the leading reference work on the subject. Its many acclaimed features include a detailed assessment of the semantic background of the concept in the Ancient Near East, a thorough examination of the doctrine of the medieval period, and an especially careful analysis of its development during the critical years of the sixteenth century. The substantially rewritten fourth edition thoroughly updates the work, responding to the latest developments in scholarly literature and user feedback. It will remain an essential resource for all concerned with the development of Christian doctrine, the history of the Reformation debates on the identity of Christianity, and modern discussions between Protestants and Roman Catholics over the nature of salvation.Table of ContentsPart I. Justification: The Emergence of a Concept: 1. The Hebraic context: semantic aspects of the concept of justification; 2. Paul and the shaping of the Christian tradition; 3. The fountainhead: Augustine of Hippo; Part II. The Middle Ages: The Consolidation of the Doctrine: 4. The nature of Justification; 5. The righteousness of God; 6. The concept of grace; 7. The human appropriation of justification; 8. Justification and the two powers of God; 9. The concept of merit; 10. Justification and the sacraments; Part III. Protestantism: The Reformation Debates on Justification: 11. Is there a 'Reformation' doctrine of justification?; 12. Luther's early approach to justification; 13. Justification in Lutheranism, 1516–1580; 14. Reformed theology, 1519–1560; 15. The English Reformation: from Tyndale to Hooker; 16. Protestant Orthodoxy: 17. Anglicanism: the Caroline Divines; 18. Puritanism: from the Old World to the New; 19. Pietism: justification and the 'new birth'; Part IV. Catholicism: The Council of Trent on justification; 20. The development of the doctrine within Catholicism, 1490–1545; 21. Catholic responses to early Protestant doctrines of justification; 22. An attempt at rapprochement: the Regensburg Colloquy (1541); 23. Catholic theological schools during the Tridentine debates on justification; 24. The Tridentine debates on justification; 25. The Tridentine decree on justification; 26. Post-Tridentine discussions of justification; Part V. The Modern Period: 27. The Enlightenment: justification, moralism, and rationalism; 28. The long nineteenth century: retrieval and reconfiguration; 29. Contemporary renewal: justification and theological reconstruction; Conclusion: reflections on a study of doctrinal history.

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Book SynopsisAn accessible introduction exploring how the earliest Christian monks lived and taught in the Egyptian deserts in the fourth to the seventh centuries AD, using their own tales and sayings. Shows the gradual transformation of their essentially solitary existence into communal co-existence which defined the monasteries of the Middle Ages.Trade Review'… a valuable introduction for anyone interested in what is one of the most influential literatures in the history of Christianity.' Samuel Rubenso, Journal of Ecclesiastical History'… I commend and recommend this book to anyone interested in discovering more about the early desert monastics.' Tim Vivian, The American Benedictine ReviewTable of Contents1. Desert Fathers; 2. Beginnings; 3. Becoming a monk; 4. Impediments to progress; 5. The object of the exercise; 6. Prayer; 7. Discretion; 8. Work; 9. Eating and drinking; 10. Hospitality and neighbourliness; 11. Women in the desert; 12. Literacy; 13. Heresy; 14. The Pachomian experiment.

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Book SynopsisThe aesthetics of everyday life, as reflected in art museums and galleries throughout the western world, is the result of a profound shift in aesthetic perception that occurred during the Renaissance and Reformation. In this book, William A. Dyrness examines intellectual developments in late Medieval Europe, which turned attention away from a narrow range liturgical art and practices and towards a celebration of God''s presence in creation and in history. Though threatened by the human tendency to self-assertion, he shows how a new focus on God''s creative and recreative action in the world gave time and history a new seriousness, and engendered a broad spectrum of aesthetic potential. Focusing in particular on the writings of Luther and Calvin, Dyrness demonstrates how the reformers'' conceptual and theological frameworks pertaining to the role of the arts influenced the rise of realistic theater, lyric poetry, landscape painting, and architecture in the sixteenth and seventeenth centTrade Review'… the book is loaded with excellent references … [This book] … an invaluable resource for theologians, church historians, art historians, cultural critics, and liturgical scholars.' Michael N. Jagessar, Canadian Journal of Netherlandic StudiesTable of Contents1. Introduction: the medieval context of the Reformation; 2. Like and presence in Holbein, Luther and Cranach; 3. John Calvin: creation, drama and time; 4. Calvin, language and the rise of literary culture; 5. Portraits and dramatic culture in sixteenth century England; 6. The emerging aesthetics of early modern England: a new world with echoes of the past; 7. The new visual culture of reformed Holland and France; 8. Epilogue: the cultural afterlife of Protestant aesthetics.

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Book SynopsisSocial Control in Late Antiquity: The Violence of Small Worlds explores the small-scale communities of late antiquity households, monasteries, and schools where power was a question of personal relationships. When fathers, husbands, teachers, abbots, and slave-owners asserted their own will, they saw themselves as maintaining the social order, and expected law and government to reinforce their rule. Naturally, the members of these communities had their own ideas, and teaching them to ''obey their betters'' was not always a straightforward business. Drawing on a wide variety of sources from across the late Roman Mediterranean, from law codes and inscriptions to monastic rules and hagiography, the book considers the sometimes conflicting identities of women, slaves, and children, and documents how they found opportunities for agency and recognition within a system built on the unremitting assertion of the rights of the powerful.Trade Review'… scholars with a robust background in late antiquity, early Christian monasticism, Church fathers, inter alia, will find much to appreciate in its pages.' Sarah Rollens, Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewTable of ContentsIntroduction. The violence of small worlds: re-thinking small-scale social control in late antiquity Kate Cooper and Jamie Wood; Part I. Women and Children First: Autonomy, Social Control, and Social Reproduction in the Late Ancient Household: 1. Female crime and female confinement in late antiquity Julia Hillner; 2. Holy beatings: Emmelia, her son Gregory of Nyssa, and the Forty Martyrs of Sebasteia Vasiliki Limberis; 3. Power, faith, and reciprocity in a slave society: domestic relationships in the preaching of John Chrysostom Jonathan Tallon; 4. A predator and a gentleman: Augustine, autobiography, and the ethics of Christian marriage Kate Cooper; Part II. 'Slaves, Be Subject to your Masters': Discipline, Reciprocity, and Moral Autonomy in a Slave Society: 5. Modelling msarrqūtā: humiliation, Christian monasticism, and the ascetic life of slavery in late antique Syria and Mesopotamia Chris L. de Wet; 6. Constructing complexity: slavery in the small worlds of early monasticism Lillian Larsen; 7. Disciplining the slaves of god: monastic children in Egypt at the end of antiquity Maria Chiara Giorda; Part III. Knowledge, Power, and Symbolic Violence: The Aesthetics of Control in Christian Pedagogy: 8. John Chrysostom and the strategic use of fear Blake Leyerle; 9. The fear of belonging: the violent training of elite males in the late fourth century Jamie Wood; 10. Words at war: textual violence in Eusebius of Caesarea Aaron Johnson; 11. Of sojourners and soldiers: demonic violence in the letters of Antony and the life of Antony Blossom Stefaniw; 12. Coercing the catechists: Augustine's De Catechizandis rudibus Melissa Markauskas; Part IV. Vulnerability and Power: Christian Heroines and the Small Worlds of Late Antiquity: 13. Reading Thecla in fourth-century Pontus: violence, virginity, and female autonomy in Gregory of Nyssa's Life of Macrina James Corke-Webster; 14. Family heroines: female vulnerability in the writings of Ambrose of Milan David Natal; 15. Women on the edge: violence, 'othering', and the limits of imperial power in Euphemia and the Goth Thomas Dimambro.

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Book SynopsisIntroduces readers interested in insular spirituality and hagiography to the major texts associated with the cult of the great northern English saint, Cuthbert. The first sustained analysis of this textual tradition from 690-1500, emphasizing his ascetic evolution, and association with changing perceptions of northernness and nationhood.Table of Contents1. Blessings on pregnant seals: constructing Cuthbert's asceticism in his anonymous and Bedan vitae and the Historia ecclesiastica, 690-740; 2. Travels with my coffin: the dislocation and defence of the community of St Cuthbert in the Historia de Sancto Cuthberto, 793-1050; 3. The bishop in the rain: celebrating the new order in Symeon of Durham's Libellus de exordio, Old English Durham, and the Capitula de miraculis et translationibus sancti Cuthberti, 1066-1140; 4. Expansions and contractions of saintly space in two Cuthbertine miracle collections, 1150-1210; 5. Godric of Finchale, Bartholomew of Farne, and the 'Irish' Libellus de ortu Sancti Cuthberti: three eremitic responses to St Cuthbert, 1150-1210; 6. Delimiting sanctity in two meditations from Farne Island: the Exortacio ad Contemplacionem and the Meditaciones of the Monk of Farne, 1210-1370; 7. Vernacular epitomes and encyclopedias: Southern Legendaries and the Metrical Life of St Cuthbert, 1270-1500; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisYahweh is the proper name of the biblical God, and his early character is central to understanding the foundations of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic monotheism. The book combines ground-breaking scholarship with explanation of early religion that is accessible to students.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Yhwȝ of Shasu-Land; 3. The Midianite Hypothesis: Moses and the Priest; 4. The Old Poetry; 5. The Name Yahweh; 6. The People of Yahweh; 7. The Early Character of the God Yahweh.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Katie Marcar examines how 1 Peter draws together metaphors of family, ethnicity, temple, and priesthood to describe Christian identity. She examines the precedents for these metaphors in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity in order to highlight the originality, creativity and theological depth of the text. She then explores how these metaphors are combined and developed in 1 Peter to create complex, narratival metaphors which reframe believers'' understanding of themselves, their community, and their world. Integrating insights on ethnicity and race in the ancient and modern world, as well as insights from metaphor studies, Marcar examines why it is important for Christians to think of themselves as one family and ethnic group. Marcar concludes by distilling the metaphors of divine regeneration down to their underlying systematic metaphors.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why this new genos? Christian Ethnic Identity in 1 Peter: Why this new genos?; 1. Ethnicity ancient and modern; 2. A field guide to metaphors; 3. The structure of 1 Peter: A bird's eye view; 4. Begotten anew: Divine begetting in 1 Peter; 5. Seed metaphors in Jewish and early Christian literature; 6. New born babies and spiritual milk in 1 Peter 2:1-3; 7. From house to house of God: House and cultic language in 1 Peter 2:4-10; 8. From (Re)Generation to Ethnos: Mapping systematic metaphors in 1 Peter; 9. Conclusion: The divine regeneration metaphor in 1 Peter; Appendix 1: The language of rebirth in Rabbinic Judaism.

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Book SynopsisInBiblical Philosophy,Dru Johnson examines how the texts of Christian Scripture argue philosophically with ancient and modern readers alike. He demonstrates how biblical literature bears the distinct markers of a philosophical style in its use of literary and philosophical strategies to reason about the nature of reality and our place within it. Johnson questions traditional definitions of philosophy and compares the Hebraic style of philosophy with the intellectual projects of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Hellenism. Identifying the genetic features of the Hebraic philosophical style, Johnson traces its development from its hybridization in Hellenistic Judaism to its retrieval by the New Testament authors. He also shows how the Gospels and letters of Paul exhibit the same genetic markers, modes of argument, particular argumentforms, and philosophical convictions that define the Hebraic style, while they engaged with Hellenistic rhetoric.His volume offers a model for thinking about pTrade Review'Johnson tackles issues of composition, interpretation, and scriptural message for contemporary times ... The tightly argued chapters cover history, geography, culture, language, literature, personalities, philosophy, and religion ... Recommended.' Z. Garber, CHOICETable of ContentsPart I. Philosophical Styles: 1. What counts as philosophy; 2. Philosophy before the Greeks: the Ancient Near Eastern intellectual context; Part II. Hebraic Philosophy: The Hebraic Philosophical Style: 3. The Hebraic philosophical style; 4. Mapping philosophy in story, law, and poetry; Part III. Persistence in Hellenistic Judaism: 5. The philosophical styles of Hellenistic Judaism; 6. Hebraic philosophical style in the Gospels; 7. Paul in stoic garments; Part IV: Prototypes of Hebraic Philosophical Argument: 8. Hebraic and scientific epistemology; 9. Biblical truth and human logic; 10. Pictures of justification.

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Book SynopsisGraeco-Roman religion in its classic form was polytheistic; on the other hand, monotheistic ideas enjoyed wide currency in ancient philosophy. This contradiction provides a challenge for our understanding of ancient pagan religion. Certain forms of cult activity, including acclamations of ''one god'' and the worship of theos hypsistos, the highest god, have sometimes been interpreted as evidence for pagan monotheism. This book discusses pagan monotheism in its philosophical and intellectual context, traces the evolution of new religious ideas in the time of the Roman empire, and evaluates the usefulness of the term ''monotheism'' as a way of understanding these developments in later antiquity outside the context of Judaism and Christianity. In doing so, it establishes a framework for understanding the relationship between polytheistic and monotheistic religious cultures between the first and fourth centuries AD.Trade Review'Whether or not one finds the term pagan monotheism useful, and I do, this volume is … extraordinarily effective in conveying the continuities between paganism, ancient Judaism and Christianity.' Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewTable of Contents1. Introduction: the debate about pagan monotheism Stephen Mitchell and Peter Van Nuffelen; 2. Pagan monotheism as a religious phenomenon Peter Van Nuffelen; 3. Pagan ritual and monotheism John North; 4. The case for pagan monotheism in Greek and Graeco-Roman antiquity Michael Frede; 5. Monotheism between cult and politics: the themes of the ancient debate between pagan and Christian monotheism Alfons Fürst; 6. The price of monotheism: some new observations on a current debate about late antiquity Christoph Markschies; 7. Megatheism: the search for the almighty god and the competition of cults Angelos Chaniotis; 8. Deus deum…summorum maximus (Apuleius): ritual expressions of distinction in the divine world in the imperial period Nicole Belayche; 9. Further thoughts on the cult of Theos Hypsistos Stephen Mitchell.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1911, this book was formed from an essay which was awarded the Prince Consort Prize for 1910. The text presents a discussion regarding the development of religious tolerance during the late Stuart period. A bibliography is included.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. The theories of persecution and toleration; 2. Tolerant tendencies in English thought in the seventeenth century; 3. From the Restoration to the Toleration Act; 4. Locke on toleration; 5. From the Toleration Act to the death of Anne; 6. General review; Appendix 1. Argument of pages 9-33; Appendix 2. Table of events, 1660–1714; Appendix 3. Summary of the principal penal and test acts, 1660–1714; Appendix 4. The death of Stillingfleet's 'Irenicum'; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisStories portraying heretics(''minim'') in rabbinic literature are a central site of rabbinic engagement with the ''other''. These stories typically involve a conflict over the interpretation of a biblical verse in which the rabbinic figure emerges victorious in the face of a challenge presented by the heretic. In this book, Michal Bar-Asher Siegal focuses on heretic narratives of the Babylonian Talmud that share a common literary structure, strong polemical language and the formula, ''Fool, look to the end of the verse''. She marshals previously untapped Christian materials to arrive at new interpretations of familiar texts and illuminate the complex relationship between Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity. Bar-Asher Siegal argues that these Talmudic literary creations must be seen as part of a boundary-creating discourse that clearly distinguishes the rabbinic position from that of contemporaneous Christians and adds to a growing understanding of the rabbinic authors'' familiarity wTrade Review'Michal Bar-Asher Siegal unpacks several narrative dialogues in the Babylonian Talmud that have been previously misunderstood or deemed unexplainable. By reading them on the background of Christian polemics, this study succeeds in resurrecting the lively debates tucked away in these brief stories. This book combines an engaging prose style, methodological rigor, and creative insight, to recreates a previously unknown world of Christian-Jewish polemics in Babylonia. These dialogues come alive for the first time in centuries thanks to Bar-Asher Siegal's careful analysis. I feel like she has uncovered the ruins of a city long buried and that we can now hear for the first time the voices of these ancient polemicists - both their overt attacks as well as their subtle jabs and sarcastic wit.' Richard Hidary, Yeshiva University, New York'A heretic approaches a rabbi and asks a question about Scripture. 'Fool' answers the rabbi, and then he wins the ensuing argument by a knockout. Who were the 'fools' and who had the Full Torah? How much did the Babylonian Talmud know about the burning issues of Christian biblical interpretation and theology? Of Christian readings of verses and motifs? Did the rabbis imagine themselves as participating in discussions on such matters? With Christians? Minim? Heretics? Perhaps with themselves? These are just a few of the questions which Michal Bar-Asher Siegal examines in this new and riveting work on literary contacts between rabbinic and Christian tradition in the Babylonian Talmud as seen through minim narratives and the lens of Christian writings.' Joshua Schwartz, Bar-Ilan University, IsraelTable of Contents1. Mimin stories in the Talmud: introductory discussion; 2. 'A fool you call me?': On insult and folly in Late Antiquity; 3. 'He who forms the mountains and creates the wind': Amos 4:13 and the Jewish-Christian argument in b. Ḥullin 87a; 4. 'Rejoice, O barren one who bore no child': Isaiah 54:1 and the Jewish-Christian argument in b. Berachot 10a; 5. 'The best of them is like a brier': Micah 7:4 and the Jewish-Christian argument in b. 'Eruvin 101a; 6. 'He has drawn off from them': Hosea 5:6 and the Jewish-Christian argument in b. Yevamot 102b; 7. Reflections.

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Book SynopsisFor the first time, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of sanctity and pilgrimage in southern Italy between 1000 and 1200 - a politically and culturally fragmented land where Latin Christian, Greek Christian and Muslim communities coexisted. It offers important new insights into society, cross-cultural interaction and faith across the medieval world.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Sanctity: 1. Sanctity in early medieval southern Italy; 2. The Latin mainland: south Italian saints, Normans, Church reform and urbanization; 3. Greek saints in southern Italy: at Christendom's faultline; 4. Sicilian saints and Christian renewal; Part II. Pilgrimage: 5. Bridge to salvation and entrance to the underworld: southern Italy and international pilgrimage; 6. Pilgrims at south Italian and foreign shrines: origins, identities and destinations; Conclusion; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisTop Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson''s blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus''s crucifixion.Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus''s final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church''s traditional teachings. The Last Week depicts Jesus

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