Resurrection of the Body in Western Christianity, 200-1336 [Paperback]

Caroline Walker Bynum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0231081278 | ISBN-13: 978-0231081276 0

Bynum examines several periods between the 3rd and 14th centuries in which discussions of the body were central to Western eschatology, and suggests that Western attitudes toward the body that arose from these discussions still undergird our modern notions of the individual. He explores the "plethora of ideas about resurrection in patristic and medieval literature--the metaphors, tropes, and arguments in which the ideas were garbed, their context and their consequences," in order to understand human life after death.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Through a scholarly, but surprisingly accessible, synthesis of eschatology, art, anthropology, history and theology, Bynum, a specialist in medieval religion and culture at Columbia and a former MacArthur Fellow, traces the evolution of lay and theological views of the soul's relationship to the body throughout early and medieval Christianity. Her focal points are selected eras that are pivotal in the formation of the Church's core doctrine of the resurrection of the body following its earthly death and, secondly, the impact of that belief upon subsequent attitudes about conversion, burial practice, persecution, social hierarchy and gender. Currently held concepts on "the fate of the body," the author finds, are rooted in Christendom's long past. Indeed, medieval theological precepts, documented here in cited texts, have a familiar ring since they still echo in pulpits everywhere. This is a masterly work of old-fashioned intellectual history. Illustrations.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

In this work, Bynum (history, Columbia Univ.) pursues what she calls "old-fashioned intellectual history." Through study of ancient and medieval writings, burial practices, and social considerations, Bynum finds the body itself the locus of material and spiritual identity. Historical discussions range from material continuity as identity (Tertullian) through resurrection as restoration of bodily wholeness (Augustine) to resurrection as recast vessel (Bernard of Clairvaux). This is dense stuff. Bynum substantially supports her profound assertions, using the philosophical, theological, and historical language of the academy. Familiarity with her other works (Fragmentation and Redemption, Zone Bks., 1990) might be helpful. A truly creative work of inquiry; highly recommended for history, religion, and literature collections in academic libraries.
Sandra Collins, SLIS, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231081278
• ISBN-13: 978-0231081276
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, November 10, 2005

By 

Isaac S. Demme "demmeis" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Resurrection of the Body in Western Christianity, 200-1336 (Paperback)

I have just finished reading this book for a research paper I am preparing on the history of the doctrine of the resurrection, and I can already assure you that not only is this the most useful book I have read on the subject, but that no other writing I have yet found even comes close.

There are a few things that I would have liked to see more of (development of the idea in the early middle ages and early renaissance for example), but these would probably have added considerably to the length of the book.

I also disagree somewhat the interpretation of 1 Corinthians that Dr. Bynum regularly contrasts with medieval and patristic views -- Pauline theology is outside the scope of this study, and I rather wish she would have refrained from conclusions on if if she was not going to treat it in detail.

These however, are minor concerns. If you want to study the history of this doctrine of bodily resurrection (which was of enormous importance to early Christianity), you will need to read this book.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eschatology in the Patristic Era and High Middle Ages, October 11, 2003

By 

BOB W. (Wheaton, Il USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Resurrection of the Body in Western Christianity, 200-1336 (Paperback)

The Apostle Paul's responses to doubts and erroneous teaching concerning the resurrection in his letters to believers at Corinth and his disciple Timothy illustrates that what constitutes a proper understanding of the resurrection of the dead has been debated since the earliest days of the Christian church. Caroline Walker Bynum, a National Endowment for the Humanities Jefferson Lecturer, traces that debate in meticulous detail through the patristic era and High Middle Ages. In doing so, she demonstrates that "Christians clung to a very literal notion of resurrection despite repeated attempts by theologians and philosophers to spiritualize the idea." Bynum's review of patristic and scholastic literature shows that a belief that "body is necessary for self" shaped the evolution of eschatological thought from at least the time of Tertullian to the age of Thomas Aquinas. Her exhaustive exploration of the "images, examples and analogies" of theologians, artists, "mystics, poets, hagiographers, sculptors and tellers of folktales" demonstrates that there was substantial diversity in attempts to explain the mechanics of resurrection in light of the consumption, decay, mutilation, partition and putrefaction suffered by the body before and after death. As the title indicates, Bynum's monograph focuses on the thought of the western branch of the church, not that of the orthodox east. She also limited her scope to the patristic era and High Middle Ages, omitting the intervening centuries as if she had not imposed that limitation she "would never have finished." As a medieval specialist of impeccable credentials, Bynum is particularly well qualified to explore "virtually every aspect of [the] social, religious, intellectual and political life" of the latter period considered in this work. Bynum's reconstruction of the evolution of the western view of resurrection is meticulous and thorough. Shifting through the religious, intellectual and social she paints a richly detailed picture that is as persuasive as it is difficult to fault. If I were to hazard a recommendation for improvement it would be to add an index of primary sources in addition to the index of secondary sources she does provides. Hopefully an equally qualified scholar will pick up where Bynum leaves off and trace the continued development of resurrection in western thought through the twentieth century.