A Transcript of Submission: Jesus as Fated Victim of Divine Violence in the Old Saxon Heliand
Samuel J. Youngs
The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of Saxons at hands Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in study medieval European Christianity(ies). Some argue that Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease fears calm rage defeated Saxons, while others posit Heliand reflects “dissident gospel,” aimed subverting official theological outlook Carolingian empire. This argues both theories capture something ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate one its key themes: role wurd (fate) co-identification with “power God,” which drives Jesus cross scaffolds his submission violence divine will. Thus, presents compliant victimization as proper “fate” those who submit God’s purposes, promising heavenly reward countermanding Saxon ethos resistance.
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