Celestial wonders in Reformation Germany / by Ken Kurihara.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kurihara, Ken, author.

Series:

Religious cultures in the early modern world ; no. 13.

Religious cultures in the early modern world ; 13

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Astronomy.

Reformation--Germany.

Reformation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 211 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London : Pickering & Chatto, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Celestial phenomena were often harnessed for use by clerics in early modern Germany. The clergy were the main intellectual leaders of communities, so their emphasis on these <i>Wunderzeichen</i> ('wonder-signs') would have had a significant effect on the laity. As Protestantism took hold, there was a desire among many influential theologians to underline the need for doctrinal acceptance. Divine omens or signs of apocalyptic warning were a useful way to encourage obedience and respect for clerical authority. Kurihara examines how and why interest in these events grew in this period, how the clergy exploited these beliefs and the role of sectarianism in Germany at this time.

Contents:

Introduction: Celestial wonders, confessional conflicts and apocalypticism

Exploring the world of Wunderzeichen

Lutheran clergy and Wunderzeichen discourses

'An eagle hurting himself' : Flacius's tract against the Interim

Irenaeus against 'spiritual wolves' : polemical use of Wunderzeichen, I

Irenaeus against the Concord : polemical use of Wunderzeichen, II

Andreae's pastoral use of Wunderzeichen

Celestial wonders under the shadow of war.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-317-31873-0

1-315-65432-6

1-78144-068-9

9781315654324

OCLC:

918622270