ePub The Medieval Theologians: An Introduction to Theology in the Medieval Period by From Brand: Wiley-Blackwell in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Collection of Introductory Essays!By mickmaxThis book is a treasure. The book chapters introduce many of the leading lights of the middle ages; as well as some who are less well known. The chapters are written by leading experts; and are accurate and insightful. Marcia Colish provides; for example; in her chapter on Peter Lombard; the best compact summary of the Sentences available in the English language. Other chapters I particularly liked included Jonathan Rist's on St. Augustine; Jenny Swanson on the Glossa Ordinaria; and Willimien Otten's survey of Carolingian theology. Great resource!32 of 32 people found the following review helpful. The rise of Christendom's spiritBy FrKurt MessickThe editor of this volume; G.R. Evans; is a lecturer in history at Cambridge; and author of a number of texts that deal with issues and topics of the same period; as well as other historical periods. For the most part; however; Evans lets the articles from scholars speak for themselves. Her role; apart from the worthwhile introduction; was to select from among the best scholars in Britain; North American and Europe to produce a companion volume to Blackwell's `Modern Theologians'. (Alas; other volumes; such as Ancient Theologians; Reformation and post-Reformation Theologians have not yet been done.)The book is divided primarily into five sections; the first being `The End of the Ancient World'; which begins rather naturally with Augustine. Augustine occupies a unique place in being the last great classical and first great medieval writer. Boethius and other theologians; described as postpatristic; round out this section with articles by John Rist; Charles Kannengiesser; and Andrew Louth.The second section deals with the Carolingians; and highlights the work of the Venerable Bede. Benedicta Ward writes on Bede; and Willemien Otten looks at other Carolingians such as Alcuin; Theodulf and Eriugena. While much of the patristic period was taken up by classifying and clarifying doctrine and defending against heresy; the Carolingians also dealt with potential heresies; and set the stage for some controversies that remained undercurrents until coming to the forefront in the Reformation.The third section looks at the Medieval `Renaissance'; which included persons such as Anselm; Abelard; Bernard and the monastic movement; and Peter Lombard. Scholars Lauge Nielsen; Emero Stiegman; Jenny Swanson and Marcia Colish provide articles; as does the editor Evans herself. As Evans states; this period say a rise in the quality of scholarship coupled with a renewed interest in both patristic concerns and Carolingian issues.The fourth section examines the `High Medieval Debate'; which also helped solidify much of Catholic dogma for hundreds of years; saw a rise in mysticism; but also began to push into uncomfortable relief issues that would explode during the Reformation era. This was a time of great scholarship; including such notables as Duns Scotus; William Ockham; and Thomas Aquinas. Scholars Michael Robson; Fergus Kerr; Oliver Davies; and Alexander Broadie deal with particular issues and personalities; whereas Takashi Shogimen looks more generally at the academic controversies arising out of Bishop Tempier's condemnation of 219 philosophical/theological propositions (note that this is more than twice the number of Luther's later Theses).The fifth section is on Dissent; particularly as it was concerned in church and state issues (never separate even in today's world; but much more identified with each other in the past); the poor of Lyon (the Waldenses); the idea of dualism (including Albigensians); and the Wyclif and Lollardy issue. Scholars Euan Cameron; Gerhard Rottenwohrer; Matthew Kempshall; and Stephen Lahey provide essays.There are two concluding essays; one by Evans looking toward a specific in Luther's later ideas; and one more general essay by Paul Rorem tracing the trail from Augustine through the Medievals toward the Reformation.This text is a must for any student of theology; particularly those who have an interest in the history of the church and the development of ideas. The writing is intelligent and scholarly without being overpowering or needlessly technical. However; this text may send the reader looking for more reference material and further study (and this is not a bad thing!) - to this end; most articles have a good references list (although this is not always consistent across the articles; as some have notes; some have references; and some have both). The index at the end is reasonable; but could be fleshed out a bit more.Overall; this is a great text for the student of theology and church history; as well as useful for the student of more general medieval philosophy; medieval European history; and general religious studies.