Contesting Christendom

The pervasiveness of the Christian religion has long been treated as one of the key features of medieval society. Indeed, Europe in the Middle Ages is often described simply as a Christian culture. Yet what do we mean when we say that medieval Europe was a Christian society, and what did it mean to be a Christian in the Middle Ages? These questions are fundamental to any understanding of the Middle Ages, yet the variety of theoretical approaches and conclusions represented in this carefully selected and provocative collection of key works in the field highlights the complexity of the answers. Introducing students to medieval Christianity, James L. Halverson presents a rich array of readings that offers a variety of ways to study the history of religion within a chronological setting. His opening chapter and introductions to each section and selection frame the essays and provide a strong conceptual framework to build upon. Making it clear that scholars have approached religion from many perspectives and used many different methodologies, this collection presents some of the best scholarship of religion as culture and practice, emphasizing the ongoing attempt to understand the social and cultural aspects of medieval Christianity.

This reader fills a gap in classroom offerings by exploring historians' ongoing attempt to understand the social and cultural aspects of medieval Christianity. James L. Halverson organizes his selections around two central questions: what do we mean when we say that medieval Europe was a Christian culture, and what did it mean to be a Christian in the Middle Ages? He argues that the diversity of medieval society over time and space defies the simple answers given in textbooks and that students of medieval religion must have more exposure to issues such as class, gender, and literacy. This carefully selected and provocative collection of key works in the field will provide an invaluable introduction to the medieval world.

James L. Halverson is professor of history and chair of social sciences at Judson College.