Description
Book SynopsisFreemasonry is the largest, oldest, and most influential secret society in the world. The Brill Handbook of Freemasonry is a pioneering work that brings together, for the first time, leading scholars on Freemasonry. The first section covers historical perspectives, such as the origins and early history of Freemasonry. The second deals with the relationship between Freemasonry and specific religious traditions such as the Catholic Church, Judaism, and Islam. In the third section, organisational themes, such as the use of rituals, are explored, while the fourth section deals with issues related to society and politics - women, blacks, colonialism, nationalism, and war. The fifth and final section is devoted to Freemasonry and culture, including music, literature, modern art, architecture and material culture.
Trade Review"The Handbook of Freemasonry is a formidable and provocative collection of the thoughts of many of the most accomplished scholars of Freemasonry in Europe and America. Anyone involved in serious Masonic research will find it to be a valuable resource." Shawn Eyer, FPS, Philalethes, Summer 2014 "At 669 pages, meticulously indexed, and boasting detailed bibliographies at the end of each chapter, the Handbook of Freemasonry functions as a valuable and insightful compendium of a remarkable quantity of knowledge about an often misunderstood and yet strangely ubiquitous initiatory society. Those looking for a detailed study or help in inspiring their own research on Freemasonry would do well to tackle the Handbook." Nathan Schradle, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nova Religio, Vol. 20, No. 2 "To sum up, the volume contributes significantly to the understanding of Freemasonry with its diverse entries and points of focus. The Handbook of Freemasonry likely qualifies as the most significant work to have been published on Freemasonry in recent years, and will be a source of great importance for years to come, both in terms of its theoretical developments and as a reliable source for consultation." Peter Olsson, Correspondence 4 (2016).
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Acknowledgements List of Contributors List of Illustrations Chapter 1: Introduction Henrik Bogdan and Jan Snoek PART I HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Chapter 2: The History of Freemasonry: An Overview Jan Snoek and Henrik Bogdan Chapter 3: The Old Charges Andrew Prescott Chapter 4: The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland David Stevenson Chapter 5: The Origins of Freemasonry: England Matthew Scanlan Chapter 6: Freemasonry and Templarism Pierre Mollier Chapter 7: Freemasonry and the Enlightenment Margaret Jacob and Matthew Crow Chapter 8: Masonic Historiography Charles Porset PART II FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION Chapter 9: Freemasonry and the Catholic Church José A. Ferrer Benimeli Chapter 10: Freemasonry and the Orthodox Churches Jean-François Var Chapter 11: Freemasonry and Protestant Churches Guy Liagre Chapter 12: Freemasonry and Judaism Robert Jan van Pelt Chapter 13: Freemasonry and Islam Thierry Zarconne Chapter 14: Freemasonry and Eastern Religions Jessica Harland-Jacobs and Jan Snoek Chapter 15: Freemasonry and Western Esotericism Henrik Bogdan Chapter 16: Freemasonry and New Religious Movements Massimo Introvigne PART III RITUAL, ORGANISATION, AND DIFFUSION Chapter 17: Masonic Rituals of Initiation Jan Snoek Chapter 18: Freemasonry and Performance Kristiane Hasselmann Chapter 19: Masonic Rites and Systems Arturo De Hoyos Chapter 20: Relationships between Grand Lodges Jan Snoek Chapter 21: Freemasonry and Friendly Societies Daniel Weinbren PART IV FREEMASONRY, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS Chapter 22: Freemasonry and Women Jan Snoek Chapter 23: Freemasonry and Blacks Cecile Révauger Chapter 24: Freemasonry and Colonialism Jessica Harland-Jacobs Chapter 25: Freemasonry and Nationalism Jeffrey Tyssens Chapter 26: Freemasonry and War François Rognon PART V FREEMASONRY AND CULTURE Chapter 27: Freemasonry and Music Malcolm Davies Chapter 28: Freemasonry and Literature R.A. Gilbert Chapter 29: Freemasonry and Modern Art Marijo Ariens-Volker Chapter 30: Freemasonry and Architecture James Stevens Curl Chapter 31: The Material Culture of Freemasonry Mark J.R. Dennis
