Persuasion and conversion
Subtitle: essays on religion, politics, and the public sphere in early modern England
By: By Torrance Kirby
Series: Studies in the history of christian traditions general -- VOLUME 166
Publisher: Brill; BRILL
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Leiden; Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 229
ISBN-13: 9789004253643
Subjects: Church history; Christianity and politics; History
Description: The early modern 'public sphere' emerges out of a popular 'culture of persuasion' fostered by the Protestant Reformation. By 1600, religious identity could no longer be assumed as 'given' within the hierarchical institutions and elaborate apparatus of late-medieval 'sacramental culture'. Reformers insisted on a sharp demarcation between the inner, subjective space of the individual and the external, public space of institutional life. Gradual displacement of sacramental culture was achieved by means of argument, textual interpretation, exhortation, reasoned opinion, and moral advice exercised through both pulpit and press. This alternative culture of persuasion presupposes a radically distinct notion of mediation. The common focus of the essays collected here is the dynamic interaction of religion and politics which provided a crucible for the emerging modern 'public sphere'.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-218) and index.