Prof. Diarmaid MacCulloch - Getting Behind Noise in Christian History
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2012
- Lecture 5: Getting behind noise in Christian history
So far, the story has largely been about overt history: the positive utterances and actions of public Christianity. We turn now to further and more complex varieties of silence: first the phenomenon of 'Nicodemism', simultaneously audible to those with ears to hear, and not to be heard by others.
New politic silences were caused by the fissuring of Western Christianity, through efforts to sidestep the consequent violence and persecution; a rediscovery of classical discussion of silence took place on the eve of the Reformation in the writings of Italian civic humanists, and this tradition fused with the debate about Nicodemism and the place of quiet versus overt toleration.
Over the centuries, particular groups who represented the 'Other', some Christian, some not, have made themselves invisible simply in order to survive: crypto-Judaism and its effect on Christianity are discussed, together with examples of Christian Nicodemism, notably the Reformation 'Family of Love' and the growth of a distinctive gay sub-culture within nineteenth- and twentieth-century Anglo-Catholicism.
We move to those things best left unsaid in order to build identity in Christian organisations and newly-evangelised regions, and the way in which themes and dogmatic position once considered vital and central for the Christian life have been quietly abandoned without much acknowledgement of their one-time importance. We scrutinise Christian problems in dealing honestly with sexuality, with a specific example.
Finally we turn to the confused reaction of Churches to shame over past sin, the example being complicity in the slave trade.
Recorded 1 May 2012 at St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh.
These were really interesting. I'm surprised professor MacCulloch made no mention of the fall away from Christianity in Europe and North America... a huge part of the story.
I think you and Calvin would get along wonderfully, you seem to have a similar ability to sneer at, well, just about ever aspect of Christianity. Considering the incredible culture it produced I would think you could find something good to say about it.
into the first minute and makes me realise how the church can still be silent now (Catholic church)
common era lol
how many African countries have had similar remembrances and repentances, better yet how Many Muslims. To make Britain solely responsible for a slave trade that preceded its entry by hundreds of years by Arabs and black African chieftains. How long should we grovel over what was a universal human practice, ended universally by the Western powers. I would like to see a similar ceremony at a great mosque considering the Arab slave trade lasted centuries longer and brutalized 100 times more Africans.
And continues to enslave.
Have to love all these "Yeah, but look over there." arguments.
considering that Spain was occupied by a horribly repressive foreign power for centuries. One might give the Spanish a little slack for their paranoia.
Should be called "Christian History in the western world" or better "Protestant apology lecture".