From Judgment to Passion: Devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, 800-1200 [Paperback]

Rachel Fulton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231125518 | ISBN-13: 978-0231125512 | Publication Date: September 28, 2005

Devotion to the crucified Christ is one of the most familiar, yet most disconcerting artifacts of medieval European civilization. How and why did the images of the dying God-man and his grieving mother achieve such prominence, inspiring unparalleled religious creativity as well such imitative extremes as celibacy and self-flagellation? To answer this question, Rachel Fulton ranges over developments in liturgical performance, private prayer, doctrine, and art. She considers the fear occasioned by the disappointed hopes of medieval Christians convinced that the apocalypse would come soon, the revulsion of medieval Jews at being baptized in the name of God born from a woman, the reform of the Church in light of a new European money economy, the eroticism of the Marian exegesis of the Song of Songs, and much more.

(October 2004)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fulton's sophisticated analysis of medieval prayer and liturgy reexamines the medieval conceptions of judgement, passion and salvation, and presents valuable new insights into the developements of the cult of the suffering Jesus and the compassionate Virgin Mary. This is truly an important book.

(Choice Vol. 30 (2,3))

This intellectual tour de force... paints in breathtaking strokes a gorgeous tapestry of the loyal devotion to the Man of Sorrows and the Mater Dolorosa.

(Publishers Weekly Jan. 2006)

The book offers remarkable depth as well as breadth in a most commendable manner.

(Library Journal Vol. 45 No. 3)

Fulton in this extraordinary book reconstructs the early history of devotion to the human and, ultimately, suffering Christ, from late antiquity through the age of Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abaelard, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Peter Damian.... A work of extraordinary erudition, this book revolutionizes our knowledge of medieval spirituality.

(International Review of Biblical Studies 1/1/2007)

[Fulton's] magisterial book constitutes a distinguished contribution to the history of empathy.

(Karl F. Morrison Journal of Religion 12/1/2006)

This is a courageous book. Fulton is party to no trend, faction, or fashion...I have not read a book in many years that taught me so much or moved me so deeply as this one.

(Thomas F. X. Noble Theological Studies )

Of interest to medievalists across the disciplines of history, art history, religious studies, and literature.

(Wanda Zemler-Cizewski, Marquette University Speculum )

Fulton displays an expert knowledge of a most impressive array of sources including theology, liturgy, hagiography, and religious art.

(Mary F. Thurlkill Religious Studies Review )

Fulton's clarity of thought and thoroughness of explication make her study as compelling as it is challenging.

(Marsha L. Dutton Catholic Historical Review )

One of the most subtle, moving, and important books in medieval religious history published over the last several decades.

(Kevin Madigan History of Religions )

A rich and stimulating study which stands in its own right and also offers potential avenues for future work.

(Sarah Hamilton History: The Journal of the Historical Society )

This is an important book that will continue to be read for very many years.

(Srah Jane Boss American Historical Review )

Review

From Judgement to Passion is a rare and magisterial book... Only the existence of such a book makes one aware of the crying need for it. Fulton is extraordinarily sophisticated... she has given us our most intelligent work on the history of liturgy since the passing of Jean Leclercq and Jean Daniélou. This book combines historical rigor and empathy in the highest measure.

(Barbara Newman, Northwestern University )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (September 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231125518
• ISBN-13: 978-0231125512
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,207,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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