George Hoffmann
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- December 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198808763
- eISBN:
- 9780191852138
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198808763.003.0004
- Subject:
- Literature, Early and Medieval Literature, European Literature
Geographic foreignness (more often imagined than not) could also transform into temporal alienation to the degree that reformers’ ideal of resuscitating the primitive Church of apostolic times ...
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Geographic foreignness (more often imagined than not) could also transform into temporal alienation to the degree that reformers’ ideal of resuscitating the primitive Church of apostolic times implied they belonged to another time. Temporal estrangement frequently figured itself as “incredulousness” at the mores of contemporary France. Though at times seeming skeptical in spirit, this incredulity proved one of “holy horror.” Thus, the Reformation’s sense of historical detachment did not lead to modern disenchantment. Although the religious conflicts could drive away some French sympathizers (Rabelais proves particularly instructive in this regard), Reformation attacks on credulity aimed at the traditional understanding of religion as an exchange of debts and did not harbor hidden secular impulses.Less
Geographic foreignness (more often imagined than not) could also transform into temporal alienation to the degree that reformers’ ideal of resuscitating the primitive Church of apostolic times implied they belonged to another time. Temporal estrangement frequently figured itself as “incredulousness” at the mores of contemporary France. Though at times seeming skeptical in spirit, this incredulity proved one of “holy horror.” Thus, the Reformation’s sense of historical detachment did not lead to modern disenchantment. Although the religious conflicts could drive away some French sympathizers (Rabelais proves particularly instructive in this regard), Reformation attacks on credulity aimed at the traditional understanding of religion as an exchange of debts and did not harbor hidden secular impulses.
