lion and the cross, The
Book Description
Royal W. Rhodes presents a fascinating exploration of how Victorian writers used early Christian history as a lens for examining their own era's spiritual controversies. This scholarly work analyzes over 130 religious novels set in Christianity's first six centuries, revealing how authors from different denominational backgrounds shaped their portrayals of ancient faith to address contemporary theological debates.
The study demonstrates how Anglican, Dissenter, and Roman Catholic writers strategically employed historical fiction to engage with pressing religious questions of their time. By setting their narratives in antiquity, these novelists could explore sensitive topics like clerical celibacy, confession practices, ritualism, and the complex relationship between church and state authority.
Rhodes examines works by prominent figures including John Henry Newman, Charles Kingsley, and Charlotte Yonge, alongside secular authors like Wilkie Collins and Walter Pater who used this historical framework to grapple with broader theological concerns. The analysis reveals how denominational loyalties influenced each writer's reconstruction of early Christian experience.
For readers interested in understanding how spiritual questions transcend historical periods, this work offers valuable insights into the enduring nature of religious inquiry. The book illuminates how Victorian society wrestled with faith, authority, and practice by projecting their struggles onto the canvas of early Christianity.
This comprehensive study serves both literary enthusiasts and those seeking to understand how different religious traditions have interpreted and presented Christian origins to serve their contemporary spiritual needs.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~11 hours)
📄 Length: 400 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Christianity and literature
- ✓ Explore Christianity in literature
- ✓ Explore Christian fiction, English
- ✓ Explore Historical fiction, English
- ✓ Explore Fiction
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Fiction
- ✓ Explore Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
