Search results for ""Author Gerald Christianson""

The Church, the Councils, and Reform brings together leading authorities in the field of church history to reflect on the importance of the late medieval councils. This is the first book in English to consider the lasting significance of the period from Constance to Trent (1414-1563) when several councils met to heal the Great Schism (1378) and reform the church. The authors look afresh at this era and consider how its legacy of reform and conciliarism may remain relevant to today's contexts of challenge and change. Since the central convictions of the conciliar movement involved the relationship between authority and consent, collegiality and hierarchy, diversity and identity, the book reflects on the predicaments of modern community-building when communities are experimenting with broader participation in the decision-making process.The authors examine how theologians, jurists, humanists, and reformers articulated three essential tasks - to promote unity, defend the faith against heresy, and guarantee continuing reform. The Schism caused them to rethink accepted concepts of church government, and to balance their belief that a general council was informed by the Spirit and represented Christ with the need to reaffirm its legitimacy and yet preserve order in the visible institution.Written by noted specialists in generally non-technical language and in an ecumenical context, this volume will appeal to readers with an interest in issues of authority, consent and reform. It will have a special appeal to scholars looking for a provocative but balanced contribution to late medieval political theory, the history of conciliarism, and the coming of the Reformation.

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This translation of Erich Meuthen's well-known biography of Nicholas of Cusa presents the foremost summary of Cusanus's life and thought. From its original edition in 1964 through its seventh edition in 1992, Meuthen's sketch has found an appreciative audience. As Meuthen takes readers through Cusanus's life (1401-1464) they will be amazed that, in an age when writers set down every word with quill and ink, and one traversed every mile on land by foot or horse, Cusanus covered thousands of miles, maintained detailed administration of church affairs, rose in rank to cardinal, served as a papal legate, and still found time to write penetrating treatises such as The Catholic Concordance, Learned Ignorance, The Vision of God, and The Peace of Faith. While rendering Meuthen's language into smooth prose that still reflects his style and intent, the translators have added an introduction that describes the historical context for Cusanus. New also is a glossary of terms, as well as an updated bibliography of Cusanus research compiled by Hans Gerhard Senger, and a tribute to Meuthen by Morimichi Watanabe.

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