Church History
Michelle Powell-Smith
Articles
Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation
This article briefly explores the theology of Ulrich Zwingli and the reformation in Zurich.
Arminianism: A Liberal Spin on Calvinist Ideology
This article explores the core belief system of Arminianism.
This article briefly delves into the history of Calvinism.
This article briefly discusses the core beliefs of Calvinism, including predestination, summarized by the acronym "TULIP".
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
This article discusses the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre and its lasting effects on the Protestant Reformation in France.
This article discusses the history of the French Huguenots, prior to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.,This article discusses the history of the French Huguenots, prior to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
The Lives of the Irish Saints: Conclusions
This article completes the series on the Lives of the Irish Saints
The Lives of the Irish Saints: The Miracles of Female Saints
This article explores the miracles performed by female saints in early Christian Ireland.
This article discusses the miracles of the male saints of early Christian Ireland, particularly Patrick & Columcille.
This article briefly details the history of the Roman Rite, or Mass.
This article briefly discusses the history of the Byzantine rite.
This article briefly delves into the history of the Alexandrine rite.
This article briefly discusses the history and practice of the Ambrosian rite
The Celtic Rite: A Brief History
This article provides a brief introduction and history of the Celtic Rite, used in Britain and Ireland in the early Christian period.
This article briefly discusses the development and history of the Gallican rite.
The Antiochene Liturgy, A Brief History
This article briefly provides a history of the Antiochene liturgy as part of a continuing series of articles on liturgical history
This article begins to explore the development of the liturgy in the Catholic church
Artistic Contributions of the Celtic Church,
This article very briefly delves into the art of the Celtic church, specifically discussing the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospel.,
The Conversion of the British Isles
This article briefly delves into the conversion of the British Isles, including Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales
Conversion in the Early Church: Central Europe
This article briefly discusses the conversion of Central Europe in the Early Middle Ages.
St. Bridget of Sweden: An Introduction,
This article briefly introduces the reader to the fourteenth century saint, Bridget of Sweden.,
Margery Kempe: An Introduction,
This article provides a brief introduction to the life of the late medieval English mystic and laywoman, Margery of Kempe
St. Catherine of Siena: An Introduction
This article briefly introduces the reader to the life and works of St. Catherine of Siena.
Hildegard of Bingen: An Introduction
This article introduces the reader to the remarkable 12th c. composer, mystic and abbess, Hildegard of Bingen.,
Research in the field of church history: a brief how-to
This article delves into the methods available for starting a research project in church history, using women religious of the 14th and 15th centuries as a starting point
Anchorites and Anchoresses in the Middle Ages
This article delves into the types of anchorites and anchoresses in the medieval church and briefly discusses the life of Julian of Norwich
Anchorites in the Early Church
This article briefly explores the early history of anchorites in the Christian church, including a discussion of stylite saints.
An analysis of Max Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
Peter Berger's The Sacred Canopy: An Analysis
Yet another divergence into modern theology, this time a review of Peter Berger's The Sacred Canopy
Some Thoughts on Victor Turner's The Ritual Process
This article is an analysis of Victor Turner's seminal work in the field of religious studies, The Ritual Process.
Some musings into theology: Doniger's Implied Spider
This article delves into a recent analytical and theological work, Wendy Doniger's The Implied Spider.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 6
This article finishes the discussion of the martyrdom of Anne Askew. The bibliography will be posted next week.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 5
This article discusses Anne's interrogation and the tools she relied on in her own defense.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 4
This article discusses the questioning of Anne Askew & her responses to the questions posed to her.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 3
This article continues the series of articles on the martyrdom of Anne Askew.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 2
This article discusses the factual evidence surrounding the trial of Anne Askew.
The Martyrdom of Anne Askew Pt. 1
This series of articles analyzes Anne Askew's martyrdom & her religious writings, both from a historical & a feminist perspective.
Anabaptist Bibliography: A Few Select Sources
This bibliography provides a few sources discussing the Anabaptist Kingdom in Munster. For more information, please email me for sources in German.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 9
This article finishes the series of articles on women in Anabaptist Munster. Stay tuned next week for the bibliography.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 8
This article explores the lives of several individual women in Munster, Hille Feyken, Divara of Haarlem & Elizabeth Wandsheer.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 7
This article discusses the impact of polygamy on the women of Munster, in both a legal and an emotional sense.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 6
This article begins to delve into the role of polygamy in the Anabaptist Kingdom of Munster.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 5
This article discusses the men who shaped Anabaptist Munster, their beliefs, lives and final deaths.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 4
This article completes my discussion of the history of Munster. Articles in the coming weeks will discuss the individuals who shaped Munster and the impact of the Anabaptist kingdom on the women of Munster.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 3
This article continues my discussion of the history of the Anabaptist kingdom of Munster, beginning with the death of Jan Matthijs. Citations available by request.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 2
This article continues the overview of the history of the city of Munster under the reign of the Anabaptists.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 2
This article begins to explore the events that occurred in Munster in 1534 and 1535, and will provide the background for an indepth discussion of the role of women in the Anabaptist kingdom.
Women in Anabaptist Munster: Sadness and Suffering Part 1
This article begins to explore the roles of women during the Anabaptist kingdom of Munster. This series will continue over the next several weeks.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 The End
This article concludes the series on Isaiah 3:16-4:1.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Ten
This article discusses women's perceptions of male violence in the Old Testament Prophets, particularly Isaiah.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Nine
This article continues my discussion of the punishment of women in the writings of the prophets, particularly in the context of Isaiah 3:16-4:1.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Eight
This article continues my discussion of the punishment of women, both real and metaphorical in the Old Testament.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Seven
This article discusses the metaphoric punishment of Israel, personified as a disobedient woman.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Six
This article continues the discussion of the punishment of women in the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic works.
Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Five
This article discusses the punishment of the "daughters of zion" within the context of other prophetic writings of the period.
The Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah Part 4
This continues my analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1. In particular, this discusses the "laundry list" of clothing & decoration used by the "daughters of zion".
The Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah Part 3
This article analyzes the role of women in ancient Israelite society as it relates to the "Daughters of Zion"
The Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah Part 2
This continues my analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1, including a discussion of the methodology used in this paper & a discussion of women's roles in the Bible.
The Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah Part 1
This is the beginning of a lengthy feminist analysis of the text of Isaiah 3:16-4:1.
Aemilia Lanyer: Redeeming Women Through Faith and Poetry
This article VERY briefly analyzes the writing of Aemilia Lanyer, particularly the second portion of Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum.
Aemilia Lanyer: Redeeming Women Through Faith & Poetry (pt. 1)
This provides an introduction to the life and writings of the English renaissance poet Aemilia Lanyer.
Martin Luther and the Visual Culture of the Reformation
This further explores Luther's attitudes toward art, dealing with his early career & his later shift in thinking to a more favorable position on the role of images.
Martin Luther and the Visual Culture of the Reformation
This article begins to explore Martin Luther's theological position on religious and secular art, in the context of the Protestant reformation.
Bibliography on medieval mysticism
While by no means exhaustive, this bibliography provides some interesting starting points for the study of late medieval mysticism, particularly in Germany and the Low Countries.
This is the main bibliography for my series of articles on Celtic women & the church.
This is the relevant bibliography for the series of articles on the Witchcraze in early modern Europe.
The Anabaptist Community of Munster: An Introduction
This article provides a very brief introduction to the Anabaptist community of Munster in 1534 and 1535. This is part one of a continuing series of articles on this site. Sources on request.
A Few Notes Regarding Upcoming Articles
This is just a quick note indicating the subjects of future articles.
East vs. West: Brutality in the Western church
This article explores the role of positive and negative anthropology in the actions of the Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic churches through time.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages-Conclusion
This brings to a close the previous series of articles on Chaucer and religious women in the Middle Ages.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages
This article explores Margery of Kempe's religious life, in the context of Chaucerian England, and her relationship to the Wife of Bath.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages
This article analyzes the religious life of Julian of Norwich, in the context of Chaucerian England.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages, Cont.
This article examines the character of Custance in Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale, and her role as a devout woman. It goes on to introduce the role of religious women in England as a whole.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages
This is a brief discussion of the role of a devout woman in marriage, as portrayed in Chaucer's Clerk's Tale.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages, Part 3
This article analyzes Chaucer's Second Nun's Tale and Physician's Tale in the context of religious women in the Middle Ages. Both tales are stories of female martyrdom.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages, Part 2
This article analyzes Chaucer's Prioress in the context of religious women in late medieval England.
Chaucer and Religious Women in the Middle Ages, Part 1
This article explores the relationship between religious women in the Middle Ages and religious women as portrayed in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
This is a brief analysis of tolerance in the Reformation era and how the various groups of reformers related to one another within the environment.
Just a few thoughts of my own regarding the study of church history as well as some notes on upcoming articles.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe: Bibliography
This is the relevant bibliography for the preceding series of articles. I have a more extensive bibliography on the witch trials and would be happy to provide it to interested parties.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe: The End
This concludes the rather long series of recent articles on the Witchcraze of early modern Europe. I'd be happy to provide notes and a comprehensive bibliography to anyone who's interested.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe: Continued
This article begins to examine the impact of the spectacle of public torture on the women that viewed it.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe continued
This continues the current series of articles, and focuses particularly on the final torture and deaths of those convicted in the Pappenheimer trial.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe Part 4
This article begins to explore the role of punishment and public torture in the witch trials of early modern Europe. Citations are available upon request.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe
This continues the previous articles' discussion of torture during the early modern witchtrials, particularly focusing on the torture of women.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe #2
This article explores the organization of witch trials in early Modern Europe, including the roles of both the Inquisitorial and secular courts.
Torture and the Witchcraze of Early Modern Europe
This is a short (really short) background history of the witch trials of Europe. This will continue in a rather long series of articles, detailing one of the more dreadful periods in the history of the church.Citations are available upon request.
Women in Cathar and Gnostic Communities and Some Conclusions
This is a discussion of the role of women in Cathar and Gnostic communities, as well as the appeal of Catharism and Gnosticism to women. This is the final article in the series on Catharism.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism, Continued
This is a discussion of ritual parallels between the Cathars and earlier dualistic groups, including the gnostics and bogomils.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Continued
This is an introduction to the behaviors common to Catharism and Gnosticism.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Part 4
This is a short discussion of the organization of the Cathar church, including their beliefs regarding creation and their preaching activities. Citations are available upon request.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Part 3
This is a short introduction to the material available and sources for the study of Catharism in the Middle Ages. Citations are available upon request.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Part 3
This is a short introduction to the material available and sources for the study of Catharism in the Middle Ages. Citations are available upon request.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism: Part 2
This article briefly introduces several other possible origins for the Cathar heresy, including the Paulicians and Bogomils. Citations are available upon request.
Cathar Connections to Gnosticism: Part: 1
This is a brief introduction to the Cathar heresy and its possible origins in the Gnosticism of the Early Christian Era. Citations are available upon request.
This is a short introduction to the mystical lives of medieval beguines. Full citations available upon request.
This is a brief history of the Beguines, a religious order for women that developed in 12th century Europe. Citations available on request
A Few Thoughts on the Church Fathers
A few brief thoughts and insights into the impact of the church fathers, particularly Augustine, and negative theology.
The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas Pt. 2
This is a follow up to last week's article on the martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas. It goes into later interpretations/ reinterpretations of their story, as well as the relationship between the martyrdom story and their society. Cites available on request.
The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas
This is a brief discussion of one of the more poignant martyrdom stories of the early Christian period, that of Perpetua and Felicitas. This is part 1 of 2. Citations available on request.
Devotions to the Crucifix: The Visions of 14th c. Women
This article presents a brief discussion of 14th century crucifixion imagery, particularly in the visions of Dominican nuns. Citations are, as always, available by request.
Women Mystics of Germany and the Low Countries in the 14th c.
This is a discussion of the intensely physical nature of the mystical activities and lives of fourteenth century women. It also deals with the life and writings of Heinrich Suso, a well-known fourteenth century Dominican. Citations are available upon request.
Women Mystics of Germany and the Low Countries in the 13th C.
This article is a discussion of the visionary activities of women mystics in Germany and the Low Countries in the thirteenth century.
Women Mystics in the Late Middle Ages: An Introduction
This is a brief introduction to the women mystics of late medieval Europe, particularly the circumstances of their lives. It's part one of several.
The Role of Women in Early Irish Christianity: Part 2
This is a brief discussion of several key women in the development of early Irish Christianity, particularly St. Brigid and St. Darerca.
The Role of Women in Early Irish Christianity: Part 1
This is a brief article discussing the conversion of and role of women in early Irish Christianity.