Forgetful of their sex
female sanctity and society, ca. 500-1100
Jane Tibbetts Schulenburg
587 pages | ~16 hrs
Christianity
Forgetful of their sex
female sanctity and society, ca. 500-1100
By Jane Tibbetts Schulenburg
Through the lens of over 2,200 saints from the early medieval period, this groundbreaking study reveals how spiritual authority and gender intersected in ways that continue to resonate today. Jane Tibbetts Schulenberg examines the lives of holy women and men between 500 and 1100 CE, uncovering patterns that illuminate both ancient spiritual practices and enduring questions about feminine sacred power.
The research exposes a striking asymmetry in how female and male saints were recognized and celebrated, with certain eras showing particularly pronounced disparities. What emerges is a complex portrait of women who often challenged established religious hierarchies through what their contemporaries viewed as extraordinary or transgressive behavior. These spiritual pioneers navigated the tensions between conformity and authentic expression in their pursuit of the divine.
Beyond documenting institutional patterns, this work opens windows into the intimate spiritual lives of medieval seekers. The saint narratives reveal the profound bonds of family and friendship that sustained these individuals, while illuminating the collective spiritual consciousness of their time. Factors such as family influence, monastic life, celibacy, motherhood, and longevity all played roles in shaping reputations for holiness.
For contemporary readers exploring questions of spiritual authenticity, gender, and religious authority, these ancient stories offer unexpected wisdom. The book demonstrates how individuals throughout history have wrestled with similar challenges in balancing personal spiritual calling with societal expectations, making their journeys remarkably relevant to modern seekers.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Hagiographie
- ✓ Explore Femmes dans le christianisme
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Virginity
- ✓ Explore Virginity
- ✓ Explore Sex, religious aspects, christianity
- ✓ Explore Femmes
- ✓ Explore Virginity, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Celibacy
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1998
- Publisher
- University of Chicago Press
- ISBN-10
- 0226740536
- Pages
- 587
- Language
- EN
- LC Classification
- BR195.W6 S38 1998
