Protestants and the Cult of the Saints in German-Speaking Europe, 1517-1531 (Sixteenth Century Essays & Studies, V. 65)

The role of the saints became a theological dilemma for scholars and laity alike throughout the Reformation era. As Protestants tried to remove themselves from the hold of the Catholic Church, the cult of the saints remained a formidable presence. Through the analysis of 180 pamphlets published by reformers in German-speaking Europe, Carol Heming shows the struggle Protestants faced in purging the cult of the saints from their culture and religion. Heming examines why Reformation leaders so strongly and universally denounced the cult of the saints and whether the holy patrons disappeared from Protestant areas without benefit of champion or defender. Complete scriptural references used in the pamphlets against the saints and images are included. "Through the analysis of 180 pamphlets published between 1500 and 1530 by reformers in German-speaking Europe, Carol Heming shows the struggle Protestants faced in purging the cult of the saints from their culture and religion. Heming examines why Reformation leaders so strongly and universally denounced the cult of the saints and whether the holy patrons disappeared from Protestant areas without benefit of champion or defender."--Jacket Presence Of The Saints -- Religion And The Saints -- Society And The Saints -- Reformers And The Saints -- Virgin Mary Among The Saints -- Ubiquity Of The Saints -- Persistence Of The Saints -- Disputations, Diets, And Colloquies -- Scriptural References Used Against The Saints And Images. Carol Piper Heming. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 147-157) And Index.