Christianity under the Ancien Régime, 1648-1789
Book Description
Between 1648 and 1789, Christianity shaped every aspect of European life in ways that modern readers can barely imagine. This scholarly exploration reveals how religious faith permeated daily existence during a transformative period that stretched from the Peace of Westphalia to the French Revolution.
Rather than simply chronicling institutional church history, this work examines the dynamic forces that drove religious change across Europe. Ward illuminates the competing visions of conservatives seeking to preserve tradition and reformers pushing for renewal, while exploring how revivalists, missionaries, statesmen, and ordinary people all played roles in shaping Christianity's evolution.
The book places religious developments within their broader historical context, weaving together political upheavals, social transformations, and intellectual movements to show how they influenced Christian thought and practice. This approach helps readers understand why certain religious policies emerged and how they reflected the tensions of their time.
Each chapter examines the complex interplay between faith and society, revealing how Christianity both influenced and responded to the changing world around it. The author traces how different groups within Christianity sought to adapt their heritage to new circumstances while maintaining core beliefs.
Enhanced with maps, a glossary, and reading recommendations, this comprehensive study offers valuable insights into a pivotal era when traditional religious certainties faced unprecedented challenges, setting the stage for the modern world's relationship with faith.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Christianity
📄 Length: 269 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Christendom
- ✓ Explore Histoire
- ✓ Explore Christianisme
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Église
- ✓ Explore Ancien régime
- ✓ Explore Histoire religieuse
- ✓ Explore Europe, church history
