The Reformation of Suffering: Pastoral Theology and Lay Piety in Late Medieval and Early Modern Germany (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology)

Protestant reformers sought to effect a radical change in the way their contemporaries understood and coped with the suffering of body and soul that were so prominent in the early modern period. The reformers did so because they believed that many traditional approaches to suffering were not sufficiently Christian--that is, they thought these approaches were unbiblical. The Reformation of Suffering examines the Protestant reformation of suffering and shows how it was a central part of the larger Protestant effort to reform church and society. Despite its importance, no other text has directly examined this reformation of suffering. This book investigates the history of Christian reflection on suffering and consolation in the Latin West and places the Protestant reformation campaign within this larger context, paying close attention to important continuities and discontinuities between Catholic and Protestant traditions. Focusing especially on Wittenberg Christianity, The Reformation of Suffering examines the genesis of Protestant doctrines of suffering among the leading reformers and then traces the transmission of these doctrines from the reformers to the common clergy. It also examines the reception of these ideas by lay people. The text underscores the importance of consolation in early modern Protestantism and seeks to challenge a scholarly trend that has emphasized the themes of discipline and control in Wittenberg Christianity. It shows how Protestant clergymen and burghers could be remarkably creative and resourceful as they sought to convey solace to one another in the midst of suffering and misfortune. The Protestant reformation of suffering had a profound impact on church and society in the early modern period and contributed significantly to the shape of the modern world. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 A Note on Usage 14 Introduction 18 1. Consolation in Rite and Word in the Later Middle Ages 27 2. The Consolation Tradition in the Latin Church 52 3. Suffering and Consolation in Late Medieval Mysticism 78 4. Suffering and Salvation in the Early Luther 99 5. Suffering and the Theology of the Cross 126 6. Early Evangelical Consolation Literature 140 7. Pastoral Care of the Sick and Suffering in the Evangelical Church Ordinances 178 8. Later Evangelical Consolation Literature I 200 9. Later Evangelical Consolation Literature II 233 10. Lay Suffering and Solace 245 Conclusion 272 Abbreviations 280 Appendix: Select Early Modern Protestant Works of Consolation and Devotion from the German Lands Arranged Alphabetically by Author with Number of Extant Editions 284 Notes 290 Bibliography 408 Person Index 458 A 458 B 459 C 459 D 460 E 461 F 461 G 461 H 462 I 463 J 463 K 463 L 464 M 465 N 466 O 467 P 467 R 467 S 468 T 469 U 469 V 469 W 469 Z 470 Scripture Index 472 Subject Index 476 A 476 B 477 C 478 D 482 E 483 F 484 G 485 H 486 I 487 J 487 K 487 L 488 M 489 N 490 O 490 P 490 R 493 S 494 T 496 U 497 V 497 W 497 Z 497 "Focusing especially on Wittenberg Christianity, The reformation of suffering examines the genesis of Protestant doctrines of suffering among the leading reformers, traces the transmission of these doctrines from the reformers to the common clergy, and examines the reception of these ideas by laypeople. Rittgers underscores the importance of consolation in early modern Protestantism and seeks to challenge a scholarly trend that has emphasized the themes of discipline and control in Wittenberg Christianity."--Jacket