Renewing Christianity : a history of church reform from day one to Vatican II / Christopher M. Bellitto.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bellitto, Christopher M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church history.

Reformation.

Physical Description:

xii, 233 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Paulist Press, [2001]

Summary:

This book follows the tide of reform and renewal in Church history, and demonstrates that reform has always been an essential element of Christianity. Indeed, Christopher Bellitto emphasizes that reform should not be perceived as limited to the Reformation or Vatican II. As one learns from the author's analysis, the history of Christianity is little other than the history of reform.This sweeping assessment of Church history is both remarkable and deep, butis also highly readable. Bellitto begins with an introduction to the subject of reform and follows that with chapters on the patristic period and Carolingian Renaissance, the High Middle Ages (1050-1300), Avignon to Trent, From Trent to Modernity, and Vatican II. He ends with a conclusion that draws together the recurring themes and patterns of reform activity in the Church. In short, this is a unique book on the subject of Church reform.Renewing Christianity is useful to both scholars and non-academics alike. It is written in a "learnedly popular style," and would appeal to clergy, seminarians, academics, graduate students or anyone interested in Church reform and renewal, Church history, or historical theology.

Contents:

The Need for Reform 1

A Brief History of the Study of Reform 3

The Vocabulary of Reform 6

Reform Language in Church Councils 10

Principles of Reform 15

1. Patristic Period and Carolingian Renaissance 23

The Patristic Period 23

Personal Reform and the Monastery 27

Carolingian Renaissance 35

2. The High Middle Ages, 1050-1300 47

Gregorian Revolution 48

Characteristics and Goals 48

Papal Monarchy and Reform 51

Canon Law: The Engine of the Gregorian Revolution 57

Reform Synods and Councils 59

Pastoral Considerations 61

Twelfth-Century Renaissance 63

Religious Orders and Reform 70

Cluny 71

Cistercians 74

Carthusians 78

Poor Men's Movement 79

Franciscans 84

Dominicans 88

3. From Avignon to Trent: The Era of Multiple Reforms 102

The Late Middle Ages (ca. 1300-1450) 105

Institutional Developments, Reform Failures 105

Popular Developments, Reform Progress 112

Protestant Reformations 118

Martin Luther 118

Jean Calvin 127

The English Reformations 133

Reforming the Protestant Reformations 135

Catholic Reformations 139

Erasmus 140

Four Abandoned Catholic Reforms 143

The Council of Trent 149

4. Catholic Reform in Changing Times 165

The Age of Trent 166

Popes and Bishops 166

Spanish Reformers 170

Priests, Nuns, and Laity 174

Encountering Modernity: 1700-1900 177

Romanticism 179

Social Catholicism 184

John Henry Newman 187

Modernism 189

5. Vatican II 197

The Gear-Up 198

Scholarship and Popular Devotions 198

Liturgical Renewal 200

The Council 203

The Fallout 207.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0809140284

OCLC:

46785191