The Reformation of Ritual : an Interpretation of Early Modern Germany
In The Reformation of Ritual Susan Karant-Nunn explores the function of ritual in early modern German society, and the extent to which it was modified by the Reformation. Employing anthropological insights, and drawing on extensive archival research, Susan Karant-Nunn outlines the significance of the ceremonial changes. This comprehensive study includes an examination of all major rites of passage: birth, baptism, confirmation, engagement, marriage, the churching of women after childbirth, penance, the Eucharist, and dying. The author argues that the changes in ritual made over the course of the century reflect more than theological shifts; ritual was a means of imposing discipline and of making the divine more or less accessible. Church and state cooperated in using ritual as one means of gaining control of the populace
1 online resource (288 pages).
9780203992494, 0203992490
1048571048
Book Cover
Half-Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Engagement and marriage ceremonies
LATE MEDIEVAL CATHOLIC LITURGY
MARTIN LUTHER'S ADVICE
THE WEDDING CEREMONY AFTER LUTHER
THE PROFANE CEREMONIES: THE LONGER DURÉE
STATE EFFORTS AT REGULATION OF ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS
INTERPRETATIONS
2 To beat the Devil
LATE MEDIEVAL BAPTISM
MARTIN LUTHER'S REVISIONS OF BAPTISM
OTHER PROTESTANT VISIONS
POPULAR PRACTICE
REFORMED CONFIRMATION
CONCLUSIONS
3 Churching, a women's rite
BACKGROUND
THE LATE MEDIEVAL CATHOLIC RITUAL
REFORMATION CHURCHING
AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH
OTHER INTERPRETIVE CONTEXTS
POSTSCRIPT
4 Repentance, confession, and the Lord's Table
LATE MEDIEVAL PENANCE, A QUEST FOR PURITY
LUTHER AND PENANCE
PENANCE BEYOND THE CONSOLATION OF TROUBLED CONSCIENCES
POPULAR OPINION
THE CATHOLIC SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
THE LUTHERAN REFORMATION OF THE MASS
LUTHER'S CONTEMPORARIES AND THOSE WHO CAME AFTER
BEYOND RITUAL FORMS
DIVINING THE MASS
5 Banning the dead and ordering the living
CATHOLIC DYING
MARTIN LUTHER
AFTER LUTHER
DEATHBED ETIQUETTE IN FUNERAL SERMONS
THE LUTHERAN ART OF DYING
THE EARTHLY REMAINS
LUTHERAN RELEGATION OF THE DEVIL
CONTEXTS AND CONCLUSIONS
6 Ritual change
AUTHORITY AND RITUAL
COMMUNITY AND RITUAL
PEASANT LAUGHTER AND THE REFORM OF RITUAL
Notes
Index