Persuasion and conversion : essays on religion, politics, and the public sphere in early modern England / By Torrance Kirby.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kirby, W. J. Torrance.

Series:

Studies in the History of Christian Traditions 166.

Studies in the history of christian traditions general ; volume 166

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Christianity and politics--England--History--16th century.

Christianity and politics.

England--Church history--16th century.

England.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (239 p.)

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2013]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The early modern ‘public sphere’ emerges out of a popular ‘culture of persuasion’ fostered by the Protestant Reformation. By 1600, religious identity could no longer be assumed as ‘given’ within the hierarchical institutions and elaborate apparatus of late-medieval ‘sacramental culture’. Reformers insisted on a sharp demarcation between the inner, subjective space of the individual and the external, public space of institutional life. Gradual displacement of sacramental culture was achieved by means of argument, textual interpretation, exhortation, reasoned opinion, and moral advice exercised through both pulpit and press. This alternative culture of persuasion presupposes a radically distinct notion of mediation. The common focus of the essays collected here is the dynamic interaction of religion and politics which provided a crucible for the emerging modern ‘public sphere’.

Contents:

Preliminary Material

Introduction

Religion and Propaganda: Thomas Cromwell’s use of Antoine de Marcourt’s Livre des Marchans

Public Forum and Forum of the Conscience: John Calvin’s Theological Groundwork of the Modern Public Sphere

Lay Supremacy: Tudor Reform of the Canon Law of England

Public Preaching: Paul’s Cross and the Culture of Persuasion

Public Conversion: Richard Smyth’s ‘Retractation Sermon’ at Paul’s Cross, 1547

Political Hermeneutics: John Jewel’s ‘Challenge Sermon’ at Paul’s Cross, 1559

Politics of Religious Identity: John Foxe, Richard Hooker and the Nascent Public Sphere

Politics of Persuasion: ‘Public’ and ‘Private’ in Hooker’s Apologetics

Public Religion and Public Worship: The Hermeneutics of Common Prayer

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-25365-3

OCLC:

857712111

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004253650 DOI