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

by James C. Russell (Author)

14 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0195104660

ISBN-10: 0195104668

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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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An intelligent synthesis of observations from a wide range of anthropological, historical, and other literature."--Catholic Historical Review

"Highly interesting and challenging reading. An important contribution to research."--Theological Studies.

"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.

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

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 reinterpretation of Christianity. He utilizes recent developments in sociobiology, anthropology, and psychology to help explain this pivotal transformation of the West. This book will interest all who wish to further their understanding of Christianity and Western civilization.

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Product details

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press (June 20, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195104668
ISBN-13: 978-0195104660
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 14 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2082 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Religious
- #2913 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Religious Studies > Christianity
- #3748 in Books > History > Europe > Germany

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David E. Witt

Acceptable theory; good history.

September 6, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

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dominique nuit

Highly Relevant to the Current Crisis in Europe

January 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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

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Apocalypse Devotee

A great tour of early medieval Christianity.

May 10, 2013

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Christianity becomes a heroic contender in the worlds religions as it passes through the Germanic psyche, becoming a religion of sacrifice, charity, and fighting spirit!

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Mikel Crees

Great book

August 6, 2013

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Really explains the misplaced "Warrior Mentality" within the Christian Religion. Also shows how the "New Faith" was used to subjugate the Germanic Tribes yet could not irradicate the Old Faiths and ended up unintentionally usurping and warping much of the Old Lore. A must read for any serious student of the PreChristian Religions and their effects on Christianity.

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Heather OBrien

Worth owning!

March 3, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

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