(P/B) THE EUROPEAN REFORMATION

Παρουσίαση

This is a survey and analysis of the European Reformation of the sixteenth century. During this period western Christianity underwent the most dramatic changes in its entire history. From Iceland to Transylvania, from the Baltic to the Pyrenees, the Reformation divided churches and communities into `Catholic' and `Protestant', and created varying regional and national traditions. The new protestant creed rejected traditional measures of piety - vows, penances, pardons, and masses - in favour of sermons and catechisms, and an everyday morality of diligence, neighbourly charity, and prayer. In the process it involved many of Europe's people for the first time in a political movement inspired by an ideology and nourished by mass communication.
Using the most important recent research, Euan Cameron provides a thematic and narrative synthesis of the events and ideas of the Reformation. He examines its social and religious background, its teachers and their message, and explores its impact on contemporary society. The European Reformation is an incisive and comprehensive study, which includes maps and suggestions for further reading. It will be invaluable for all students of early modern Europe. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

Introduction: The Reformation and Europe
Part I: The Background
1. The Religion of the People of Europe
2. The Vulnerability of the Church
3. 'Reform' from Within and its Limits
4. Challenges from Outside and their Limits
5. Heresy: An Alternative Church?
6. The Church and the Christian Soul
Part II: The Reformers and Their Message
7. The 'Luther-Affair' and its Context
8. The Conversions of the Reformers
9. Rejections of Reform
10. The Reformers' Message: Salvation
11. The Reformers' Message: Scripture
12. The Reformers' Message: The Church
13. The Reformers' Message: Sacraments
Part III: Establishing the Reformed Churches
14. Unsuccessful 'Affiliations' to the Reformed Cause
15. Self-Governing Towns and Cities
16. Principalities and Kingdoms
17. Motives for Establishing the Reformation?
Part IV: Beyond the 'Reformation Moment': from Temporary Coalitions to Growing Communities
18. Voluntary, Gathered Movements Reject the 'Coalition'
19. Crisis, Survival, and Compromise in Politics
20. Reformers at Odds: The 'Confessional' Reformation
21. Reformers and Laypeople: Building a Religious Culture
22. Conclusion
Abbreviations Used in the Notes
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index