Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe: Profiles, Texts, and Contexts

by Kirsi I. Stjerna

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2022

Overview

Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe provides an expansive view of women negotiating their faith, voice, and agency in the religious and cultural scene of the sixteenth-century reformations. Women from different geographic contexts (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Holland, and Scandinavia) and from a broad spectrum of vocations and social standings are highlighted along with examples of their original writings in English translation (in some cases brand new).

An international, interdisciplinary cohort of over thirty scholars provide cutting-edge scholarship on women, religion, and gender in the sixteenth-century reformation context. Chapters interpret historical sources relevant to the women in question and provide original material for a deeper understanding of each woman’s specific negotiations about her faith and religious preferences, as well as about her specific options--as a woman.

Most of the women in the book left a written record, providing a valuable window into women’s spirituality and theology. Gender questions are engaged throughout the chapters that provide irrefutable evidence of women’s essential roles in the reception and implementation of the Protestant confessions. An important voice comes from women who defended their right to profess Catholic faith.

Thematic articles enhance the analysis of the roles, experiences, and contributions of individual women in different contexts and positions vis-à-vis reformation teachings. Women stand out as writers, theologians, historians, biblical interpreters, publishers, hymnwriters, rulers, pastoral care givers, defenders of justice, “heretics,” rebels, midwives, mothers, and friends.

The tone of the volume is scholarly but invites a broad spectrum of readers who have varying levels of background knowledge. It is especially suitable as a textbook or as a reference guide in different disciplines (reformation studies, church history, theological history, gender scholarship, early modern and sixteenth-century studies; and language studies).

Key Features

• Provides an expansive view of women negotiating their faith.
• Shows a valuable window into women's spirituality and theology.
• Enhance the analysis of the roles, experiences, and contributions of women in different context.

Product Details

• Title: Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe: Profiles, Texts, and Contexts
• Author: Kirsi I. Stjerna
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Pages: 395
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781506468716, 1506468713
• Resource ID: LLS:WMNRFRMRSCNTXTS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-05T23:07:00Z

About Kirsi I. Stjerna

Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, has been teaching Luther and Reformation history, as well as the Lutheran confessional writings. Lutherans take quite seriously the history surrounding the 16th Century Reformation of the Church. Since the fall of 2000. A native of Finland and fluent in six languages, Stjerna received her doctoral degree from Boston University after studying in the University of Helsinki’s Department of Theological Studies. Stjerna has most recently served as Associate Director for Theological Education in the Division for Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has taught part time at two New England colleges and also worked as a free lance writer and translator. She is a regular columnist of the Lutheran Women Today. She was ordained in Finland (1989) and has served as a parish pastor in both Finland and the United States. She teaches seminarians about Martin Luther and the different voices and movements of the Reformation in the 16th century Europe, from inclusive and ecumenical perspectives. She also teaches the Lutheran confessional heritage and history of Christian spirituality. Her special areas of research include late Medieval and “Lutheran” spirituality, Mysticism, Medieval and Reformation women, and history of figures such as Martin Luther, Katie von Bora Luther, Saint Birgitta of Sweden and Helena Konttinen.