Books > Christianity
|
Buy Now
The Journey of Deacon Bodo from the Rhine to the Guadalquivir - Apostasy and Conversion to Judaism in Early Medieval Europe (Paperback)
Loot Price: R1,290
Discovery Miles 12 900
|
|
The Journey of Deacon Bodo from the Rhine to the Guadalquivir - Apostasy and Conversion to Judaism in Early Medieval Europe (Paperback)
Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days
|
The story of Bodo begins in the ninth century around the time of
the death of Charlemagne in 814. It centres on a young Aleman
aristocrat and his conversion to Judaism in 838, followed by his
flight to the Muslim world of Al-Andalus. His apostasy constitutes
an arresting footnote in the history of the Carolingian period, his
change of faith viewed as a shocking episode attributed by some to
an overly lax policy towards Judaism and its powerful merchants.
Another factor could be ascribed to the study of Judaism and its
links with Christianity, which was a feature of the time. Bodo
moved from a monastery on the Rhine, where he went as a small boy,
to the imperial court, where he was now a gifted young scholar
groomed for a top position. His unexpected abandonment of
Christianity challenged his background and learning, and this was
seen as a rebuke of the court network to which he belonged. Bodo
left behind a growing conflict over succession between the emperor,
Louis the Pious, and his sons that culminated in a civil war
following the emperor's death. As a result, the Frankish Empire was
partitioned into three separate kingdoms in 843. Meanwhile in
Spain, two years after fleeing the Frankish world, Bodo debated the
merits of Judaism and Christianity in Cordoba with Albarus Paulus,
a beleaguered Christian in the Muslim world, not only airing
criticisms of Christianity, but also some failings of the
Carolingian imperial court. In 847 he is mentioned in the court
annals as stirring up opposition in Islamic Spain against
Christians, asserting that they should be forced to convert or be
executed. This reported incident may be linked to a significant
number of self-imposed deaths by Christians who, feeling
increasingly persecuted, sought to provoke Islam by denouncing the
Prophet and bringing about their execution. The experience of
Bodo's apostasy was far from unique: other men and women who
renounced Christianity for Judaism are also examined in conversion
narratives recorded in the following two centuries. These episodes
offer an illuminating study of religious changes taking place in
Europe and the East where Christianity, Islam and Judaism competed
in the ninth century and beyond. Bodo's experience can be viewed as
part of a wider phenomenon depicting men and women who travelled as
pilgrims, refugees or converts seeking to find a home and escape
persecution because of their beliefs.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
|
|
Email address subscribed successfully.
A activation email has been sent to you.
Please click the link in that email to activate your subscription.