Gender, Kabbalah, and the Reformation : the mystical theology of Guillaume Postel, 1510-1581 / by Yvonne Petry.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Petry, Yvonne, author.

Series:

Studies in medieval and Reformation thought ; Volume 98.

Studies in medieval and Reformation thought ; Volume 98

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Postel, Guillaume, 1510-1581.

Postel, Guillaume.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Leiden, The Netherlands ; Boston : Brill, [2004]

Summary:

This study examines one of the most unusual figures of the sixteenth century, Guillaume Postel, who believed that a female messiah had arrived on earth who would usher in a new age of political and religious harmony. He grounded this prophecy in the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, and relied extensively on its use of gender symbolism. Postel has often been viewed as a marginal figure, whose unconventional views preclude comparison with his contemporaries. However, this study suggests that Postel used his prophecy to participate in two arenas: Reformation controversy and the querelle des femmes or debate about women. His thought has relevance not only for an understanding of Renaissance Kabbalah, but for Reformation history and for early modern gender studies.

Contents:

Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

1. History, Prophecy and Mysticism

2. The Formation of Postel's Theology

3. Postel on Gender, Politics and the French Monarchy

4. Postel and Renaissance Kabbalah

5. Mother Joanna, Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary

6. Body, Soul and the Sacraments

7. Postel and the Querelle des Femmes

8. Gender and the Reformation

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [165]-184) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-474-1330-X

OCLC:

1281984262

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047413301 DOI