Search results for ""Author Jeffrey Burton""

All the known theories and incidents of witchcraft in Western Europe from the fifth to the fifteenth century are brilliantly set forth in this engaging and comprehensive history. Building on a foundation of newly discovered primary sources and recent secondary interpretations, Professor Russell first establishes the facts and then explains the phenomenon of witchcraft in terms of its social and religious environment, particularly in relation to medieval heresies. He treats European witchcraft as a product of Christianity, grounded in heresy more than in the magic and sorcery that have existed in other societies. Skillfully blending narration with analysis, he shows how social and religious changes nourished the spread of witchcraft until large portions of medieval Europe were in its grip—"from the most illiterate peasant to the most skilled philosopher or scientist." A significant chapter in the history of ideas and their repression is illuminated by this book. Our growing fascination with the occult gives the author's affirmation that witchcraft arises at times and in areas afflicted with social tensions a special quality of immediacy.

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"Evil—the infliction of pain upon sentient beings—is one of the most long-standing and serious problems of human existence. Frequently and in many cultures evil has been personified. This book is a history of the personification of evil, which for the sake of clarity I have called 'the Devil.' I am a medievalist, but when I began some years ago to work with the concept of the Devil in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, I came to see that I could not understand the medieval Devil except in terms of its historical antecedents. More important, I realized that I could not understand the Devil at all except in the context of the problem of evil. I needed to face the issue of evil squarely, both as a historian and as a human being."—from the Preface This lively and learned book traces the history of the concept of evil from its beginnings in ancient times to the period of the New Testament. A remarkable work of synthesis, it draws upon a vast number of sources in addressing a major historical and philosophical problem over a broad span of time and in a number of diverse cultures, East and West. Jeffrey Burton Russell probes the roots of the idea of evil, treats the development of the idea in the Ancient Near East, and then examines the concept of the Devil as it was formed in late Judaism and early Christianity. Generously illustrated with fifty black-and-white photographs, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, from specialists in religion, theology, sociology, history, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy to anyone with an interest in the demonic, the supernatural, and the question of good and evil.

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Mephistopheles is the fourth and final volume of a critically acclaimed history of the concept of the Devil. The series constitutes the most complete historical study ever made of the figure that has been called the second most famous personage in Christianity.In his first three volumes Jeffrey Burton Russell brought the history of Christian diabology to the end of the Middle Ages, showing the development of a degree of consensus, even in detail, on the concept of the Devil. Mephistopheles continues the story from the Reformation to the present, tracing the fragmentation of the tradition. Using examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture, he describes the great changes effected in our idea of the Devil by the intellectual and cultural developments of modem times.Emphasizing key figures and movements, Russell covers the apogee of the witch craze in the Renaissance and Reformation, the effects of the Enlightenment's rationalist philosophy, the Romantic image of Satan, and the cynical or satirical literary treatments of the Devil in the late nineteenth century. He concludes that although today the Devil may seem an outworn metaphor, the very real horrors of the twentieth century suggest the continuing need for some vital symbol of radical evil.A work of great insight and learning, Mephistopheles deepens our understanding of the ways in which people in Western societies have dealt with the problem of evil.

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Evil is an intrinsically fascinating topic. In Lucifer, Jeffrey Burton Russell continues his compelling study of the personification of evil in the figure of the Devil. The previous two volumes in this remarkable tertalogy—The Devil and Satan—trace the history of the concept of the devil comparatively as it emerged in diverse cultures and followed its development in Western thought from the ancient Hebrew religion through the first five centuries of the Christian era.The present volume charts the evolution of the concept of the devil from the fifth century through the fifteenth. Drawing on an impressive array of sources from popular religion, art, literature, and drama, as well as from scholastic philosophy, mystical theology, homiletics, and hagiography, Russell provides a detailed treatment of Christian diabology in the Middle Ages. Although he focuses primarily on Western Christian thought, Russell also includes, for the sake of comparison, material on the concept of the devil in Greek Orthodoxy during the Byzantine period as well as in Muslim thought.Russell recounts how the Middle Ages saw a refinement in detail rather than a radical alteration of diabological theory. He shows that the medieval concept of the devil, fundamentally unchanged over the course of the centuries, eventually gave rise to the unyielding beliefs that resulted in the horrifying cruelties of the witch-hunting craze in the 1500s and 1600s. This major contribution to the history of the Middle Ages and to the history of religion will enlighten scholars and students alike and will appeal to anyone concerned with the problem of evil in our world.

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Mephistopheles is the fourth and final volume of a critically acclaimed history of the concept of the Devil. The series constitutes the most complete historical study ever made of the figure that has been called the second most famous personage in Christianity.In his first three volumes Jeffrey Burton Russell brought the history of Christian diabology to the end of the Middle Ages, showing the development of a degree of consensus, even in detail, on the concept of the Devil. Mephistopheles continues the story from the Reformation to the present, tracing the fragmentation of the tradition. Using examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture, he describes the great changes effected in our idea of the Devil by the intellectual and cultural developments of modem times.Emphasizing key figures and movements, Russell covers the apogee of the witch craze in the Renaissance and Reformation, the effects of the Enlightenment's rationalist philosophy, the Romantic image of Satan, and the cynical or satirical literary treatments of the Devil in the late nineteenth century. He concludes that although today the Devil may seem an outworn metaphor, the very real horrors of the twentieth century suggest the continuing need for some vital symbol of radical evil.A work of great insight and learning, Mephistopheles deepens our understanding of the ways in which people in Western societies have dealt with the problem of evil.

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The Devil, Satan, Lucifer, Mephistopheles - throughout history the Prince of Darkness, the Western world's most powerful symbol of evil, has taken many names and shapes. Jeffrey Burton Russell here chronicles the remarkable story of the Devil from antiquity to the present. While recounting how past generations have personified evil, he deepens our understanding of the ways in which people have dealt with the enduring problem of radical evil.After a compelling essay on the nature of evil, Russell uncovers the origins of the concept of the Devil in various early cultures and then traces its evolution in Western thought from the time of the ancient Hebrews through the first centuries of the Christian era. Next he turns to the medieval view of the Devil, focusing on images found in folklore, scholastic thought, art, literature, mysticism, and witchcraft. Finally, he follows the Devil into our own era, where he draws on examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture to describe the great changes in this traditional notion of evil brought about by the intellectual and cultural developments of modern times.Is the Devil an outmoded superstition, as most educated people today believe? Or do the horrors of the twentieth century and the specter of nuclear war make all too clear the continuing need for some vital symbol of radical evil? A single-volume distillation of Russell's epic tetralogy on the nature and personifcation of evil from ancient times to the present (published by Cornell University Press between 1977 and 1986), The Prince of Darkness invites readers to confront these and other critical questions as they explore the past faces of that figure who has been called the second most famous personage in Christianity.

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"Russell has complete mastery of his material, and the book's sweep is grand: a tour of the first five centuries of Christian intellectual history with the spotlight on the villain instead of the hero.... Satan is a valuable introduction to the theological portion of the Western Devil tradition."― Speculum Undeniably, evil exists in our world; we ourselves commit evil acts. How can one account for evil's ageless presence, its attraction, and its fruits? The question is one that Jeffrey Burton Russell addresses in his history of the concept of the Devil—the personification of evil itself. In the predecessor to this book, The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity, Russell traced the idea of the Devil in comparative religions and examined its development in Western thought through ancient Hebrew religion and the New Testament. This volume follows its course over the first five centuries of the Christian era. Like most theological problems, the question of evil was largely ignored by the primitive Christian community. The later Christian thinkers who wrestled with it for many centuries were faced with a seemingly irreconcilable paradox: if God is benevolent and omnipotent, why does He permit evil? How, on the other hand, can God be all-powerful if one adopts a dualist stance, and posits two divine forces, one good and one evil? Drawing upon a rich variety of literary sources as well as upon the visual arts, Russell discusses the apostolic fathers, the apologetic fathers, and the Gnostics. He goes on to treat the thought of Irenaeus and Tertullian, and to describe the diabology of the Alexandrian fathers, Clement and Origen, as well as the dualist tendencies in Lactantius and in the monastic fathers. Finally he addresses the syntheses of the fifth century, especially that of Augustine, whose view of the Devil has been widely accepted in the entire Christian community ever since. Satan is both a revealing study of the compelling figure of the Devil and an imaginative and persuasive inquiry into the forces that shape a concept and ensure its survival.

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Well-known for his historical accounts of Satan and hell, Jeffrey Burton Russell here explores the brighter side of eternity: heaven. Dispensing with the cliche images of goodness that can make even heaven seem unbearable, the author stimulates our imagination with a history of how the joy of paradise has been conceived by writers, philosophers, and artists for whom heaven was an imminent reality. Russell not only explores concepts found among the ancient Jews, Greeks, and Romans as well as early and medieval Christians, but also addresses the intellectual problems heaven poses: how does time "pass" in eternity? is heaven a place or a state? who is in and who is not? what happens to the body and soul between death and Judgment Day? Russell stresses that the best way to approach the logic-defying concept of a place occupying neither space nor time is through poetry and paradox, and through the visions of such mystics as Bernard, Julian of Norwich, and Eckhart. After the Revelation of Saint John the Divine, the most sublime and encompassing portrait of heaven to date has come not from a theologian but from a poet--Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy. Russell's history of heaven culminates in a lively analysis of how Dante described the glories of the indescribable. The unsurpassed images of light, movement, and community that Dante uses so skillfully to convey the presence of God are rooted in the Jewish picture of heaven as a garden or court and in the Greek picture of the Elysian Fields. Using current scholarly insights together with a vast store of knowledge gathered from the past, Russell takes the idea of heaven as valid and important in itself--something to be understood from the point of view of those believing in it. His very use of language immerses us in the thoughts of those who have sought heaven and provides rich material for contemplation.

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"Russell has complete mastery of his material, and the book's sweep is grand: a tour of the first five centuries of Christian intellectual history with the spotlight on the villain instead of the hero.... Satan is a valuable introduction to the theological portion of the Western Devil tradition."― Speculum Undeniably, evil exists in our world; we ourselves commit evil acts. How can one account for evil's ageless presence, its attraction, and its fruits? The question is one that Jeffrey Burton Russell addresses in his history of the concept of the Devil—the personification of evil itself. In the predecessor to this book, The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity, Russell traced the idea of the Devil in comparative religions and examined its development in Western thought through ancient Hebrew religion and the New Testament. This volume follows its course over the first five centuries of the Christian era. Like most theological problems, the question of evil was largely ignored by the primitive Christian community. The later Christian thinkers who wrestled with it for many centuries were faced with a seemingly irreconcilable paradox: if God is benevolent and omnipotent, why does He permit evil? How, on the other hand, can God be all-powerful if one adopts a dualist stance, and posits two divine forces, one good and one evil? Drawing upon a rich variety of literary sources as well as upon the visual arts, Russell discusses the apostolic fathers, the apologetic fathers, and the Gnostics. He goes on to treat the thought of Irenaeus and Tertullian, and to describe the diabology of the Alexandrian fathers, Clement and Origen, as well as the dualist tendencies in Lactantius and in the monastic fathers. Finally he addresses the syntheses of the fifth century, especially that of Augustine, whose view of the Devil has been widely accepted in the entire Christian community ever since. Satan is both a revealing study of the compelling figure of the Devil and an imaginative and persuasive inquiry into the forces that shape a concept and ensure its survival.

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Get ready for a costume party at the zoo with this Halloween lift-the-flap adventure featuring your favorite animals all dressed up to trick-or-treat!Welcome to BOO AT THE ZOO! Where the animals wear Halloween costumes, too! It’s Halloween at the zoo, and the animals don’t know what to wear! Lift the flaps to discover costume tricks and treats that lead to a big BOO AT THE ZOO! From Giraffenstein to Flaminghosts to Vamtigers and more, little ones will love lifting the sturdy flaps to reveal the silly Halloween costumes hidden underneath.

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A fun and playful back-to-school twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”!The itsy bitsy school bus was ready for the day. Backpack was full with lunch and books, hooray! Dropped off at school, it was time to learn and play, The teacher said, “Hello, nice to meet you all today.” The itsy bitsy school bus is ready for the first day of school! Whether it’s a first day to Pre-K or back-to-school, little ones are sure to love this classroom twist on the classic nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”!

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In this sweet bedtime board book, parents stay awake in the quiet night with their little night owls.From rocking in chairs, to singing lullabies, to driving nowhere underneath the moonlight, this is a story to remind parents of the precious magic made in the late hours of the night with their little night owls. With heartfelt illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator, Joy Hwang Ruiz, this board book is the perfect start to a good night’s sleep. Hey little night owl, up with the stars. These hours are perfect. All quiet and ours.

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This hilarious and adorable bunny shaped board book with plush bunny ears wonders what the Easter Bunny would be like if he was another animal!Bunny ears on a lion? Have you seen that before? Do you think the Easter Bunny makes a great, big ROAR? What does it take to be the Easter Bunny? Can any animal in the world wear a pair of bunny ears and hop along the bunny trail? Join lion, piggy, kitten, llama, and tortoise as they take turns auditioning to be the new Easter Bunny by wearing an adorable set of actual plush bunny ears (with crinkle paper inside) on every page. But rest assured, there’s only one Easter Bunny, and those ears belong to him!

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This action-packed boxed set from the author of the hit Itsy Bitsy series is perfect for parents and little ones who love things that go. Follow the fire truck, garbage truck, and dump truck as adorable animal workers help out around town! With eye-catching shiny foil, these colorful twists on the beloved nursery rhyme is sure to appeal to young readers. This on-the-go boxed set includes: The Wheels on the Fire Truck The Wheels on the Garbage Truck The Wheels on the Dump Truck

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A joyous Christmas nativity twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider!”The itsy bitsy angel sang joy to the world, sending good will to every boy and girl. Out came a Star to chase the clouds away, and three wisemen looked up and let the Star guide their way. The itsy bitsy angel is ready to rejoice with every boy and girl. Little ones will love this first Christmas twist on the classic nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”

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From the author of the beloved Itsy Bitsy board book series comes a silly and smelly adventure all about garbage trucks.An action-packed yet adorable story, The Wheels on the Garbage Truck is the second book in a new series that is perfect for parents and little ones who love things that go. Follow the garbage truck around town as cuddly animal garbage collectors clean up the neighborhood!

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Get ready for a festive celebration at the zoo in this Christmas lift-the-flap adventure featuring zoo animals getting ready for the holiday!Welcome to Jingle Bells at the Zoo! Where the animals celebrate Christmas, too! It’s Christmastime at the zoo, and the animals are ready to celebrate. Lift the flaps to discover how the animals prepare for the most magical night of the year! From monkeys decorating the Christmas tree to parrots lining up to see Santa, little ones will love lifting the sturdy flaps to reveal these animals enjoying the Christmas season!

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“A Supernova of love.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A gorgeous keepsake book that shines with emotion and foil on every spread, The World Shines for You is full of illumination and hope—perfect for the youngest readers in your life.There is a tree in the forest There are leaves on the wind There are clouds in the sky There are snowflakes drifting down A simple story connects the world, the seasons, change, and everything that shimmers in life with show-stopping foil, embossing, and spot UV on every page. This artistic and heartwarming first book truly says what every parent wants to share with their little ones: The World Shines for You.

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From the author of the beloved Itsy Bitsy board book series comes a construction site adventure all about construction vehicles.An action-packed yet adorable story, The Wheels on the Dump Truck is the third book in a new series that is perfect for parents and little ones who love things that go. Follow dump trucks, bulldozers, excavators, and more as cute animal workers build, build, build!

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This sparkling fairy board book is a magical twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!”Twinkle, twinkle, fairy friend, Let’s go out and play pretend. Shimmer wings that fly so high. Sparkle magic in the sky. A magical twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Fairy Friend is the third board book in a series that is perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up with and share.

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This shiny board book is a magical twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!”Twinkle, twinkle, unicorn, sparkle with your magic horn. Leaping over clouds so high, like a diamond in the sky. A magical twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Unicorn is the first book in a brand-new board book series that’s perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up with and share.

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Celebrate the perfect, ugly expression of holiday cheer in this Christmas touch-and-feel novelty book—with real, plush sweater material on the cover and a touch-and-feel elements throughout!What is the most glorious thing that can be worn to a holiday party? The ugly Christmas sweater, of course! See festive reindeer, yeti, penguins, and more get into the spirit in this immersive book perfect for tactile young readers.

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Snowy-cadabra! Can you pull a snowman out of this magical lift-the-flap book?Everyone loves winter, when snow drifts this way and that, Now can you pull a snowman out of this magic hat? This shaped novelty book is a magical lift-the-flap adventure full of wacky wintery spells! Little ones will love lifting the flaps after saying each magic word to see if the spell worked. From a handful of carrots, to buttons, to three pieces of coal, the magic trick goes on until… Blizzard, lizard, wizard, whoa…we meet a person made of snow!

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From the author of the beloved Itsy Bitsy board book series comes a fire fighting adventure all about fire trucks.An action-packed yet adorable story, The Wheels on the Fire Truck is the first book in a new series that is perfect for parents and little ones who love things that go. Follow the fire truck around town as cuddly animal firefighters run the siren, hold on tight, and save the day!

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An adorable Valentine’s Day twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider!”The itsy bitsy sweetheart was loveable and kind, Drawing new cards for his friends and Valentines! Out came the markers, paints, and sticky glue, The itsy bitsy sweetheart had lots of work to do! The itsy bitsy sweetheart spreads holiday cheer as she makes Valentine’s Day cards for her family and friends! Little ones will love this sweet twist on the classic nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”

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