Worship in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Change and Continuity in Religious Practice

Traditional surveys of Christian worship have not only stressed the profound changes that occurred in the fragmenting Reformation churches of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, but have also primarily focused on the theological understanding, rather than the practice, of worship. Contributors to this unique collection underline the complexity and diversity of late medieval and early modern Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Reformed worship practices in Europe. They examine a range of rites (baptism, marriage, and the Eucharist), elements of worship (visual art, music, prayer texts, rituals), geographic locations (Spain, Geneva, England, Sweden, Germany), and settings (home, school, and church).

To illustrate the experience of worship by medieval and early modern laity and clergy, each essay is preceded by selections from key primary source documents being discussed. Contributors reveal that, contrary to the artificial separation of these two time periods by the modern academy, there was actually a great deal of continuity between medieval and early modern liturgical practices. They also demonstrate that political and social pressures were as significant as theological or doctrinal rationales when it came to modifying or retaining traditional practices.

Worship in Medieval and Early Modern Europe offers readers a chance to understand better the societal and confessional norms that motivated late medieval and early modern Christians to maintain or change traditional Catholic worship practices. Featuring some of the most outstanding scholars in the field, this volume will be invaluable to academics interested in the Reformation, early modern studies, theology, and liturgical studies, as well as to general readers who wish to learn how their worship life was shaped in the sixteenth century.

Author: Karin Maag
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
Published: 05/15/2004
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.23lbs
Size: 9.28h x 6.04w x 1.08d
ISBN: 9780268034757

Review Citation(s):
Books & Culture 05/01/2005 pg. 20
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2005 pg. 6 - Recommended/Special Interest

About the Author
Karin Maag is Director of the H. Henry Meeter Center and associate professor of history at Calvin College.
John D. Witvliet is Director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and associate professor of worship and music at Calvin College.

Contributors John D. Witvliet, Margot Fassler, Robert Kingdon, Frank C. Senn, Bodo Nischan, Karin Maag, Susan M. Felch, Katherine Elliot van Liere, Kent J. Burreson, Bryan D. Spinks, Henry Luttikhuizen, Robin A. Leaver

This title is not returnable