Christianity's quiet success
Book Description
In the rolling hills of ancient Gaul, a quiet revolution was taking place within Christian communities, far from the grand theological debates of famous church fathers. Lisa Kaaren Bailey unveils this hidden story through her meticulous examination of the Eusebius Gallicanus collection, a treasure trove of sermons that reveals how ordinary believers lived their faith in daily life.
This scholarly exploration takes readers beyond the well-known voices of Augustine and Caesarius of Arles to discover how average preachers guided their congregations through the complexities of Christian living. Bailey demonstrates how these practical sermons addressed the real struggles that believers faced: wrestling with sin, grappling with questions of faith, confronting injustice, and participating in the shared work of salvation.
Rather than focusing solely on questions of authorship that have puzzled scholars for generations, Bailey illuminates the actual purpose and function of these texts. She reveals how this collection served as a practical resource for Gallic preachers, offering them guidance for pastoral care and effective communication with their communities.
Through careful analysis of these overlooked documents, readers gain fresh insights into the modes of persuasion and everyday religious practices that shaped late antique Christianity. The book presents a more nuanced understanding of how faith was actually lived and taught in this pivotal period, showing Christianity's quiet but profound influence on ordinary people's spiritual journeys.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 278 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Eusebius Gallicanus
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Pastoral care
- ✓ Explore Mission
- ✓ Explore Predigt
- ✓ Explore Eusebius Gallicanus collectio homiliarum
- ✓ Explore Preaching, history
