Exorcism and Enlightenment : Johann Joseph Gassner and the demons of eighteenth-century Germany / H.C. Erik Midelfort.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Midelfort, H. C. Erik.

Series:

Terry lectures.

The Terry lecture series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gassner, Johann Joseph, 1727-1779.

Gassner, Johann Joseph.

Exorcism--Germany--History--18th century.

Exorcism.

Faith and reason--Christianity--History of doctrines--18th century.

Faith and reason.

Enlightenment--Germany.

Enlightenment.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In the late eighteenth century, Catholic priest Johann Joseph Gassner (1727-1779) discovered that he had extraordinary powers of exorcism. Deciding that demons were responsible for most human ailments, he healed thousands, rich and poor, Protestant and Catholic. In this book H. C. Erik Midelfort delves deeply into records of the time to explore Gassner's remarkable exorcising campaign, chronicle the official efforts to curb him, and reconstruct the sufferings of the afflicted. Gassner's activities triggered a Catholic religious revival as well as a noisy skeptical reaction. In response to those who doubted that he was really casting out demons, Gassner marshaled hundreds of eyewitness reports that seemed to prove his exorcisms really worked. Midelfort describes the enormous public controversy that resulted, and he demonstrates that the Gassner episode yields important insights into the German Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment, the limitations of eighteenth-century debate, and the ongoing role of magic and belief in an age of scientific enlightenment.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

1. The Experience of Demons

2. A Niche in the Incubator: Ecclesiastical Politics and the Empire

3. Healing

4. Interpretation

5. Conversation and Ridicule

Epilogue

NOTES

INDEX

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-210) and index.

ISBN:

9786611722357

9781281722355

1281722359

9780300130133

0300130139

OCLC:

123240126