Alcuin: Theology and Thought - Softcover

Williams, Rowan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0227173945 ISBN 13: 9780227173947

Publisher: James Clarke & Co, 2013

Synopsis

Scholar, ecclesiastic, teacher and poet of the eighth century, Alcuin can be seen as a true hidden saint of the Church, of the same stature and significance as his predecessor Bede. His love of God and his grasp of Christian theology were rendered original in their creative impact by his gifts as a teacher and poet. In his hands, the very traditional theology that he inherited, and to which he felt bound, took new wings. In that respect, he must rank as one of the most notable and influential of Anglo-Saxon Christians, uniting English and continental Christianity in a unique manner, which left a lasting legacy within the Catholic Church of Western Europe. This book is intended for the general reader as well as for those studying, teaching or researching this period of early medieval history and theology in schools and universities. Introduction by Dr Rowan Williams.

Table of Contents

Part One : Alcuin’s formation & reputation
1. The legacy of Bede
2. Formation at York
3. Scholars at Charlemagne’s court
4. Controversy over Images
Part Two : Adoptionism
5. Spanish Adoptionism
6. The Frankish Reaction
7. Felix & Alcuin
8. Alcuin’s De Fide
Part Three : Mission, Episcopacy & Monarchy
9. Mission
10. Hagiography
11. Alcuin & the Bishops
12. King Dei Gratia
Part Four : The Bible
13. The Tours scriptorium
14. Alcuin & the Old Testament
15. Alcuin & the New Testament
Part Five : Prayer
16. Cultivating prayer
17. Penitence
18. Liturgy
Part Six : Education
19. The Teacher
20. Cultivating the Mind
21. Theology for the laity
Part Seven : Poetry
22. The poet & his friends
23. The poet at work
24. Theology of friendship

About this title

About the Author

Douglas Dales was educated at St Dunstan's College, London, and was a scholar of Christ Church, Oxford: he holds degrees in history and theology. He is a parish priest in eight parishes in the diocese of Oxford, and was Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies at Malborough College. He is married with three children and is the author of Dunstan (1988) and Light to the Isles (2010).

Review

"...a thorough and careful account [...]with full scholarly apparatus and a warm appreciation of Alcuin's achievement in making the complexities of Augustine and much else intelligible in a different world, which was already under Viking attack as he wrote." (Lucy Beckett Times Literary Supplement)

Dales’s project is even more ambitious than advertised, embracing nothing less than Alcuin’s entire oeuvre, together with the broader circumstances of Charlemagne’s cultural and religious programs. [...] The author marshals an impressive body of material, including many extracts from Alcuin’s letters and a broad array of citations to secondary scholarship. (Eric Knibbs, Williams College The Medieval Review, 14.05.03)

Douglas Dales’ two books on Alcuin are well researched and well expressed, based on a wide range of scholarship, both historical and theological, and the books combine to provide important source material for scholars working on either Alcuin or his very powerful friend, Charlemagne. [...] There are excellent sections in both books on Alcuin’s early life and problems in England, and his enforced stay in Europe. His wide ranging literary works are well discussed, as are his relationship with Charlemagne and with his fellow courtiers, and the theological implications are well covered in great depth, and the final chapter on poetry is very interesting. [...] the two books should serve to reinforce the important role played by Alcuin as a key theologian and significant politician at a very interesting period of European history. (John R. C. Martyn, University of Melbourne Journal of Religious History, Vol 38, Issue 1)

Comprehensive study on Alcuin of York. The author examines his thoughts and his works, as well as the political role within the court of Charlemagne. (Medioevo Latino, 35, (2014))

Covering his life, influences, and works, this book offers its reader a well-researched study in Alcuin. [...] The book as a whole is quite detailed... and is perhaps more suited to those seeking a more robust academic read. [...] a useful book on the life and times of a significant Christian figure. (Kris Hiuser, University of Chester Theological Book Review, Vol. 25, No.2, 2013)

The notes for the book printed in the back are evidence of Dale's knowledge of Alcuin's works, his sources and the extensive scholarship has appeared in recent years.
(George Hardin Brown Revue D'Histoire Ecclesistique, vol 109, issue 1, 2014)

A survey of Alcuin's many contributions to the Carolingian intellectual heritage, especially as regards theology, drawing on the rich research of recent decades...This relatively short book will be useful for those studying this period of early medieval history and theology in schools and universities.
(Anneli Luhtala vol 66 issue 1, April 2015)

Alcuin’s literary and poetic skill, his philosophy as a Christian educator, and the other departments of his work, ministry and relationships, are handled in a way that build up a three-dimensional picture not just of the man, but of the age as a whole. ... True to the man, and in explanation of his influence, the second volume ends with the theme ‘Alcuin’s Theology of Friendship’. These two volumes are indeed worth befriending.
(Charles Miller Vol. 48, No. 2, Winter 2015)

They [Alcuin: Theology and Thought and Alcuin: His Life and Legacy] are superbly written and really complement each other without their content overlapping.
(J. Robert Wright Vol. 83 No. 4)

Edition details

• Publisher: James Clarke & Co
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0227173945
• ISBN 13: 9780227173947
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360