The Roman Catholic leadership still refuses to ordain women officially or even to recognize that women are capable of ordination. But is the widely held assumption that women have always been excluded from such roles historically accurate?In the early centuries of Christianity; ordination was the process and the ceremony by which one moved to any new ministry (ordo) in the community. By this definition; women were in fact ordained into several ministries. A radical change in the definition of ordination during the eleventh and twelfth centuries not only removed women from the ordained ministry; but also attempted to eradicate any memory of women's ordination in the past. The debate that accompanied this change has left its mark in the literature of the time. However; the triumph of a new definition of ordination as the bestowal of power; particularly the power to confect the Eucharist; so thoroughly dominated western thought and practice by the thirteenth century that the earlier concept of ordination was almost completely erased. The ordination of women; either in the present or in the past; became unthinkable.References to the ordination of women exist in papal; episcopal and theological documents of the time; and the rites for these ordinations have survived. Yet; many scholars still hold that women; particularly in the western church; were never "really" ordained. A survey of the literature reveals that most scholars use a definition of ordination that would have been unknown in the early middle ages. Thus; the modern determination that women were never ordained; Macy argues; is a premise based on false terms.Not a work of advocacy; this important book applies indispensable historical background for the ongoing debate about women's ordination.
#1409758 in Books Stephen W Berry II 2004-05-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.70 x 1.00 x 8.70l; .90 #File Name: 0195176286304 pagesAll That Makes a Man Love and Ambition in the Civil War South
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. NuancedBy HHThe opening chapters of Berry's work carefully define the antebellum Southern traditions of manhood deeply rooted in a patriarchal society in which "men were expected to provide for a varied constituency—slaves; women; children; and (in some measure) poorer whites—with an array of goods and services: food; shelter; clothing; justice; moral leadership; and a sense of common identity and direction. To the degree that a man could convince himself that he was providing all these things; he became (in his own mind) provider; lawgiver; governor; autocrat". Berry argues that failure to meet these near-impossible standards often led to a sense of self-doubt and depression among young men of the middle and planter classes in the Old South.Berry then devotes the next several chapters of his book to examining courtship between antebellum southern men and women. Men conventionally viewed women as "the sacred vessels that bore their civilization's best instincts and aspirations" to be placed high upon a pedestal; an indispensable part of men's empires "through whose eyes he could see himself succeed." For these men love was; Berry asserts; the saving grace of ambition while serving as yet another milestone of success. Many sons of the Old South viewed the American Civil War as a vehicle by which to escape their less-than-glorious vocations and fulfill the visions of empire; eminence; and worthiness of love so long held up to them as the true measure of manhood. The horror of combat would soon disabuse most of their chivalry fantasies. The fatigue and outright dirty business of being a soldier was a sobering experience and swept away visions of grandeur; leaving most longing for the simple pleasures of home and loved ones. These things would spur the privileged sons of Dixie to continue fighting long after the political cause was lost and delusions of personal empire had been riddled and buried on the killing fields of Virginia; Tennessee; Maryland; and Pennsylvania."All That Makes a Man" is a well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of why Southern white men committed to fighting a civil war. It adds to our understanding of the individuals who would not only lose a way of life at the war's conclusion; but also would have their vision of success in life forever altered.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Great StudyBy henryclayThis book is an excellent examination of perspectives of southern masculinity. Belongs with Cash's Mind of the South and Wyatt-Brown's Southern Honor as pivotal works on the mentality of the South. Takes a much more emotional glance at the southern male than the two other aforementioned works. Looks at the mentality of the southern male through the contexts of honor; religion and romance. Thoroughly researched and an enjoyable read. An essential addition to the library of anyone interested in the Civil War or southern masculinity.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Service!By Dave DietzGreat book; Great service; Really fast delivery!!! AAA+++
