Compelling God

Theories of Prayer in Anglo-Saxon England

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British, Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Reference, History, Medieval
Cover of the book Compelling God by Stephanie Clark, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephanie Clark ISBN: 9781487514389
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: March 1, 2018
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Stephanie Clark
ISBN: 9781487514389
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: March 1, 2018
Imprint:
Language: English

While prayer is generally understood as "communion with God" modern forms of spirituality prefer "communion" that is non-petitionary and wordless. This preference has unduly influenced modern scholarship on historic methods of prayer particularly concerning Anglo-Saxon spirituality.

In Compelling God, Stephanie Clark examines the relationship between prayer, gift giving, the self, and community in Anglo-Saxon England. Clark’s analysis of the works of Bede, Ælfric, and Alfred utilizes anthropologic and economic theories of exchange in order to reveal the ritualized, gift-giving relationship with God that Anglo-Saxon prayer espoused. Anglo-Saxon prayer therefore should be considered not merely within the usual context of contemplation, rumination, and meditation but also within the context of gift exchange, offering, and sacrifice. Compelling God allows us to see how practices of prayer were at the centre of social connections through which Anglo-Saxons conceptualized a sense of their own personal and communal identity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

While prayer is generally understood as "communion with God" modern forms of spirituality prefer "communion" that is non-petitionary and wordless. This preference has unduly influenced modern scholarship on historic methods of prayer particularly concerning Anglo-Saxon spirituality.

In Compelling God, Stephanie Clark examines the relationship between prayer, gift giving, the self, and community in Anglo-Saxon England. Clark’s analysis of the works of Bede, Ælfric, and Alfred utilizes anthropologic and economic theories of exchange in order to reveal the ritualized, gift-giving relationship with God that Anglo-Saxon prayer espoused. Anglo-Saxon prayer therefore should be considered not merely within the usual context of contemplation, rumination, and meditation but also within the context of gift exchange, offering, and sacrifice. Compelling God allows us to see how practices of prayer were at the centre of social connections through which Anglo-Saxons conceptualized a sense of their own personal and communal identity.

More books from University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division

Cover of the book Something's Got to Give by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Travelling Concepts in the Humanities by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Spaniards in Mauthausen by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Postcolonial Resistance by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Among the Forest Trees or, A Book of Facts and Incidents of Pioneer Life in Upper Canada by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Do Men Mother? by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Round About Industrial Britain, 1830-1860 by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book The Free Animal by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Women's Work, Markets and Economic Development in Nineteenth-Century Ontario by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book The New North-West by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Christopher Columbus's Naming in the 'diarios' of the Four Voyages (1492-1504) by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book On Being Rich and Poor by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Arab Dawn by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book The Complete Poetry of Giacomo da Lentini by Stephanie Clark
Cover of the book Imagination and the University by Stephanie Clark
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy