The theology of work : Peter Damian and the medieval religious renewal movement

This study addresses the need to learn what medieval thinkers had to say about the concept of work by examining the thought of Peter Damian and numerous other religious leaders and groups of the High Middle Ages for evidence of their contributions, deepening our understanding of this concept. Historians have long noted the intense debates nineteenth-and twentieth-century scholars had over the concept of work, but few are aware of the medieval debates that set the stage for modern discussions. Indeed, medieval society established the framework within which modern Western ideas about work have grown. It is essential, therefore, that we learn what medieval thinkers had to say on the subject. This study addresses this need by examining the thought of Peter Damian and numerous other religious leaders and groups of the High Middle Ages for evidence of their contributions. The result is a deepening of our historical understanding of the concept of work as well as widening our appreciation of the modern world's debt to medieval society Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Introduction 9 Part I The Foundations: Early Christian Theologies of Work 19 1 Early Christian Attitudes toward Work 20 Part II The Framework: Peter Damian’s Contributions 37 2 The Eleventh-Century World of Peter Damian 38 3 Damian’s Social Theology 60 4 Damian’s Apostolate: Theology of Work in Action 82 Part III The Completed Edifice: Medieval Monastic Movement 102 5 The Regular Canons 103 6 The Cistercians 124 7 Carthusians, Women, and Marginal Groups 143 8 The Mendicants 171 9 Epilogue 192 Notes 203 Bibliography 241 Index 258 Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 Early Christian Attitudes toward Work....Pages 13-29 Front Matter....Pages 31-31 The Eleventh-Century World of Peter Damian....Pages 33-54 Damian’s Social Theology....Pages 55-76 Damian’s Apostolate: Theology of Work in Action....Pages 77-96 Front Matter....Pages 97-97 The Regular Canons....Pages 99-119 The Cistercians....Pages 121-139 Carthusians, Women, and Marginal Groups....Pages 141-168 The Mendicants....Pages 169-189 Epilogue....Pages 191-201 Back Matter....Pages 203-264