Horie, Ruth
Perceptions of Ecclesia

Church and Soul in Medieval Dedication Sermons.

This volume examines the contents of sermons to elucidate the meaning of the 'church' to medieval preachers, and through them the laity. The physical church building held an important place in medieval society as a tangible connecting link between ordinary people on the one hand and saints, angels and the divine presence on the other. Yet perhaps more significantly, it stood as a symbol for the human soul. Preachers treat the dedication of the physical church as an elaborate metaphor for the spiritual consecration of the soul. XIV,247 Seiten, gebunden (Sermo: Studies on Patristic, Medieval, and Reformation Sermons and Preaching; Vol. 2/Brepols 2006)