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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches > Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches > General
Winner of the David H. Pinkney Prize of the French Historical
Society Winner of the Frances Richardson Keller-Sierra Prize of the
Western Association of Women Historians Winner of the Award for
Best Scholarly Work of the National Huguenot Society The Edict of
Nantes ended the civil wars of the Reformation in 1598 by making
France a kingdom with two religions. Catholics could worship
anywhere, while Protestants had specific locations where they were
sanctioned to worship. Over the coming decades Protestants'
religious freedom and civil privileges eroded until the Revocation
of the Edict of Nantes, issued under Louis XIV in 1685,
criminalized their religion. The Robillard de Champagne, a noble
family, were among those facing the Revocation. They and their
co-religionists confronted the difficult decision whether to obey
this new law and convert, feign conversion and remain privately
Protestant, or break the law and attempt to flee secretly in what
was the first modern mass migration. In this sweeping family saga,
Carolyn Chappell Lougee narrates how the Champagne family's
persecution and Protestant devotion unsettled their economic
advantages and social standing. The family provides a window onto
the choices that individuals and their kin had to make in these
trying circumstances, the agency of women within families, and the
consequences of their choices. Lougee traces the lives of the
family members who escaped; the kin and community members who
decided to stay, both complying with and resisting the king's will;
and those who resettled in Britain and Prussia, where they adapted
culturally and became influential members of society. She
challenges the narrative Huguenots told over subsequent generations
about the deeper faith of those who opted for exile and the venal
qualities of those who remained in France. A masterful and moving
account of the Hugenots, Facing the Revocation offers a deeply
personal perspective on one of the greatest acts of religious
intolerance in history.
In this Very Short Introduction, Jon Balserak explores major ideas
associated with the Calvinist system of thought. Beginning during
the Protestant Reformation in cities like Zurich, Geneva, and
Basel, Calvinismaalso known as Reformed Theologyaspread rapidly
throughout Europe and the New World, eventually making its way to
the African Continent and the East. Balserak examines how Calvinist
thought and practice spread and took root, helping shape church and
society. Much of contemporary thought, especially western thought,
on everything from theology to civil government, economics, the
arts, work and leisure, education, and the family has been
influenced by Calvinism. Balserak explores this influence. He also
examines common misconceptions and objections to Calvinism, and
sets forth a Calvinist understanding of God, the world, humankind,
and the meaning of life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short
Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds
of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books
are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our
expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and
enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly
readable.
As profound as Martin Luther's ideas are, this giant of church
history was concerned above all with practical instruction for
daily Christian living. Harvesting Martin Luther's Reflections
highlights this concern of Luther, mining his thought in key areas
of doctrine, ethics, and church practice. Gathering noteworthy
contributions by well-known Luther scholars from Europe and the
Americas, this book ranges broadly over theological questions about
baptism and righteousness, ethical issues like poverty and greed,
and pastoral concerns like worship and spirituality. There are even
rare discussions of Luther's perspective on marriage and on Islam.
As a result, Harvesting Martin Luther's Reflections is both a
state-of-the-art discussion of Lutheran themes and an excellent
introduction for newcomers to Luther's work.
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