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James C. Russell

The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity: A Sociohistorical Approach to Religious Transformation 1st Edition

by James C. Russell (Author)

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While historians of Christianity have generally acknowledged some degree of Germanic influence in the development of early medieval Christianity, Russell goes further, arguing for a fundamental Germanic reinterpretation of Christianity. This first full-scale treatment of the subject follows a truly interdisciplinary approach, applying to the early medieval period a sociohistorical method similar to that which has already proven fruitful in explicating the history of Early Christianity and Late Antiquity. The encounter of the Germanic peoples with Christianity is studied from within the larger context of the encounter of a predominantly "world-accepting" Indo-European folk-religiosity with predominantly "world-rejecting" religious movements. While the first part of the book develops a general model of religious transformation for such encounters, the second part applies this model to the Germano-Christian scenario. Russell shows how a Christian missionary policy of temporary
accommodation inadvertently contributed to a reciprocal Germanization of Christianity.

ISBN-10

0195076966
ISBN-13

978-0195076967
Edition

1st
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

January 13, 1994
Language

English
Dimensions

9.28 x 6.3 x 0.88 inches
Print length

272 pages
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Editorial Reviews

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"A provocative and admirable work."--Choice

"Fascinating. It is a very important contribution to the growing awareness of the bright light of the 'Dark' Ages."--Ronald Murphy, Georgetown University

"There is far more to the book than simply a demonstration that Christianity was powerfully influenced by Germanic--and by extension, Indo-European--'world-accepting' religious ideas at a crucial phase in its evolution. Indeed, Russell develops a general model of religious change that ought to be of interest to anyone concerned with the sociology (or anthropology) of belief systems per se, let alone the history of the Church."--C. Scott Littleton, Occidental College

"An intelligent synthesis of observations from a wide range of anthropological, historical, and other literature....An overarching schema that identifies and explains important Germanic contributions to Christendom."--Catholic Historical Review

From the Back Cover

While historians of Christianity have generally acknowledged some degree of Germanic influence in the development of early medieval Christianity, Russell goes further, arguing for a fundamental Germanic transformation of Christianity. This first full-scale treatment of the subject follows a truly interdisciplinary approach, applying to the early medieval period a sociohistorical method similar to that which has already proven fruitful in explicating the history of Early Christianity and Late Antiquity. The encounter of the Germanic peoples with Christianity is studied from within the larger context of the encounter of a predominantly "world-accepting" Indo-European folk-religiosity with predominantly "world-rejecting" religious movements. While the first part of the book develops a general model of religious transformation for such encounters, the second part applies this model to the Germano-Christian scenario. Russell shows how a Christian missionary policy of temporary accommodation inadvertently contributed to a reciprocal Germanization of Christianity. Applying insights from the behavioral sciences and Indo-European studies to analyze this pivotal transformation of the West, this book will interest students and scholars of religion, history, sociology, and social psychology, as well as those who wish to further their understanding of the history of Christianity and of Western civilization.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (January 13, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195076966
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195076967
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.28 x 6.3 x 0.88 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,130,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,854 in French History (Books)
- #12,771 in German History (Books)
- #16,999 in History of Christianity (Books)

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David E. Witt

Acceptable theory; good history.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 6, 2013

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I'm still reading the book (I have the last chapter and conclusion to go) so take this as you will.

It's a good book; the premise is clearly stated and the author goes through supporting evidence, and I think he does a good job with it. Most readers will buy it for the second half, where Russell sets out to discuss the changes that Christianity saw when it expanded into continental areas, and he does so admirably. My main reason for buying this book was the first half, though, where Russell outlines his theory of religious transformation, both in the institutions of the religion, as well as the culture in general. I've already been able to pull out several quotes of his for my own dissertation. It's an acceptable theory, though somewhat dated in today's anthropology; it relies a bit too heavily on early- to mid- 20th century thinking and ignores post-modern critiques.

Russell's history is good, even if it angers some believers. (I've read several critiques of this book, mostly from those authors who approach it as a "history of the Church" view, and I disagree with most of them. Many critiques seem to stem from uncritical assumptions concerning the history of institutionalized Christianity, and a belief in a divinely inspired Truth(tm) as espoused by that Christianity. Ironically enough, their critiques ignore the fact that Russell also seems to uncritically accept Church history as written by Church members.)

I do wish he would have utilized more evidence from archaeology, which he seems to have ignored for the most part (at least up until the last chapter). It may have provided a more comprehensive view of ritual, as opposed to religious belief, that would have provided a fuller discussion of the evolution of religious practices during the period.

Finally, at least for me, the book reads a bit repetitively. There are at least 3 or 4 times a chapter where I stop, and think that he already made that point. Much of it reads like it's very well written free flowing stream-of-consciousness writing. There are no sub-headings, no divisions below the chapter level. It's a bit off-putting to me, since everything I've ever read academically has had numerous sub-headings (perhaps too many) covering every point. Keep that in mind, and expect to encounter some difficulty in finding natural stopping points between his various topics.

11 people found this helpful

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dominique nuit

Highly Relevant to the Current Crisis in Europe

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 26, 2017

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In the "Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity," James Russell argues that the conversion of the Germanic tribes, over the course of centuries, from roughly 400 AD down until 800 AD, resulted in a fundamental transformation of Christianity. The book could be subtitled "Contra Nietzsche," for Russell carves-out a grand exception to Nietzsche's portrayal of Christianity as "slave morality." Stated differently, and more baldy than Russell would, the process of "Germanization" amounted to a reversal of early Christian values.

Russell identifies the cult of saints, sacral kingship & crusades, proprietary churches, and a dramatic-representational liturgical form as examples of "Germanization." But his argument is at the level of paradigms, not empirical history as such. He maintains that a heroic, world-accepting, folk-centered reinterpretation of Christianity emerged, displacing the early version of Christianity which was world-rejecting & universalist, urban & anomic & soteriological. "As a consequence of the religio-political influence of the Ottonian emperors in Rome during the tenth and eleventh centuries, this Germanic reinterpretation eventually became *normative* throughout western Christendom." The Gothic cathedral would be its ultimate artistic expression.

The question thus arises, which Christianity is the real Christianity? The primitive church, which all later reform movements would seek to restore in one way or another--from the mendicant orders down through the Protestant Reformation and the Second Vatican Council--or the Germanized version? A better question might be, which Christianity is better able to resist Islam?

Russell's thesis is of the utmost relevance to the spiritual-political situation in today's Europe, where the prospect of city-to-city, street-to-street, house-to-house warfare against Islam is imminent. In contrast to such leading thinkers of the Right as Alain de Benoist, who in matters of religion seem to do little more than adopt the quietist position of the late Heidegger, in essence waiting for new pagan gods to save us, the implication of Russell's argument is that a "counter reformed" Christianity is the only real option if Europe's defenders are to have spiritual resources.

Also, Russell's discussion of "Hellenization" in the first half of the book is fascinating, wherein the expansion of Greece (and later Rome) entailed the loss of Indo-European identity. The conversion of the German barbarians, in a mirror-image ruse, brought with it a reassertion of the Indo-European, albeit on a higher & more chivalrous plane

19 people found this helpful

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Sethaka

Caution in Theory

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 1, 2013

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Russell's argument is that Christianity in the west was Germanized in order to facilitate an easier conversion process. Essentially, missionaries and Catholic church leaders allowed elements from Germanic cultures in the medieval west to continue on within Christianity. By doing so, people were more likely to convert to Christianity than if they were forced to give up all of the traditions in pre-Christian society. He uses examples not just from the medieval period, but is heavy on comparisons to modern religion and the variations of Christianity that have sprung up as a result of cultural influences.

Russell's work is long winded, but well laid out. I would warn readers to approach this work with caution. While Russell's theory is used in many academic circles, his work does contain racist implications, which I personally find insulting. This book, therefore, is one of those necessary evils for early medieval studies. Please keep in mind that other authors, such as Karen Louise Jolly, have made similar arguments without the negative aspects present in Russell's work.

12 people found this helpful

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Eric Mueller

Good and useful.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 25, 2018

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An important topic, the author is knowledgeable, but the first half of the volume lays out his general anthropological theory about religion and was, for my taste, overblown and excessive. I know, though, this is modern academia.

One person found this helpful

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Heather OBrien

Worth owning!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 3, 2015

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Fantastic and well-detailed book that I would highly recommend to any library of lovers of history, heathens, or anyone interested in historical conversion from a religious viewpoint. I have referred to this book often, and have recommended it to more than a few friends.

4 people found this helpful

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Andringa Ton

Excellent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 6, 2011

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Within four days after ordering I received this item (Gasselte, The Netherlands).
This book is a true eyeopener. I think no one could recognize Christianity now,if there had not been Germanization then in the days of conversion of North Western Europe. Also I never realized that the concept of sin and guilty was unknown in these regions, as well as the idea of eternal salvation. And for the first time I discovered how feodalism came to existence. I owe much to this book.
Ton Andringa

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William G. Cooke

A greatly overrated study

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 9, 2016

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This book turned out to be a disappointingly inadequate treatment of its subject. The author seems to have made little study of Christianity in the late Roman Empire. He contrasts primitive first-century Christianity with Christianity as it displayed itself among the Germanic peoples after their conversion and attributes all the differences he discovers to accommodation of Christianity to Germanic culture. He never seems to have asked himself, let alone investigated, how far primitive Christianity had adapted to late Roman culture *before* it reached the Germanic tribes and how far that earlier acculturation was responsible for its appeal to the Germanic peoples and shaped its development among them.

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