Bishops, councils, and consensus in the Visigothic Kingdom, 589-633
Book Description
This scholarly exploration reveals how spiritual authority and community consensus intersected in medieval Spain during a pivotal period of religious transformation. Rachel L. Stocking examines the unique approach taken by Catholic bishops and Visigothic rulers as they sought to create unified religious identity across their diverse kingdom.
The book illuminates how religious leaders attempted to harness the power of collective agreement, transforming community consensus from a natural expression of shared faith into a tool for enforcing conformity. Through detailed analysis of church councils and episcopal decisions, Stocking demonstrates how spiritual authority was exercised in daily practice, often creating tension between idealistic visions of holy leadership and the messy realities of human governance.
Readers interested in the dynamics of spiritual power will discover how religious consensus became both a unifying force and a source of exclusion, particularly affecting Jewish communities, those deemed heretical, and political opponents. The work traces the gap between theological ideals and practical implementation, showing how even well-intentioned spiritual leaders struggled to translate their vision of sacred unity into lived reality.
This study offers valuable insights into the complexities of religious authority, the challenges of building spiritual community across differences, and the ways that sacred power can both inspire and coerce. It provides a thoughtful examination of how faith communities navigate the tension between inclusion and orthodoxy.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 217 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Spain, church history
- ✓ Explore Catholic Church. Council of Toledo
- ✓ Explore Spain, history
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Church and state, spain
- ✓ Explore Catholic Church. Council of Toledo 633)
- ✓ Explore Visigoths, spain
