Christian Missionary Activity in the Early Middle Ages By Richard E. Sullivan.
June-Ann Greeley
BOOK REVIEWS 419 issue in the debate about human rights. The American Bill ofRights equivocates exactly same fashion as 1983 Code when it specifies "subject" of its Some clauses use word "person," others "citizen." Do rights enumerated Rights only apply to those who have entered our country by legal means? Or do they all persons residing territory governed Constitution? Our courts not seen equivocation and most often opted for former meaning "person" while remaining blind oblivious latter. hallmark Gaudemet's work has been an attention detail that illuminates large issues. essays this book continue great intellectual tradition. Kenneth Pennington Syracuse University ChristianMissionaryActivity theEarlyMiddleAges. By Richard E. Sullivan. [Variorum Collected Studies Series, CS 431.] (Brookfield, Vermont: Variorum , Ashgate Publishing Company. 1994. Pp. x, 265.) missionary early Church certainly gone unnoticed a topic worthy investigation; indeed lives activities some key figures, such Saint Gregory Great St. Boniface, especial interest, particularly role each is considered played formation theological underpinnings medieval western Church. Nonetheless, collection of, admittedly, older articles should still claim place on bookshelf ofany scholar or culture Carolingian world; comprehensive depth their wealth textual scholarship make compelling reading, examination particularly, methodologies conversion within affords reader opportunity explore ofthe seminal field. First, caveat: These six are, indeed,familiar—but antiquated. earliest does date from forty-two years ago, recent, sixteen ago. There single-page bibliography more "contemporary " (1967?) area studies; however seem very inclusive works concerned exclusively with studies. Yet, like series, serves personal Festschrift career Sullivan, one cannot help but be grateful cogent gathered into volume easy availability. As Sullivan indicates preface text, he first embarked upon his own scholarly study Graeco-Roman pagan Christian system belief, historians at time 420 generally expansion Christianity among nations (in particular) during Middle Ages been, were, foreordained fact, well-nigh divined. could no doubt historians, success had assured because champions enjoyed superior morality, manifested political victories, economic resources, cultural wealth. However, through thoughtful analysis records documents dating A.D. 500 900, Dr. determined ancient world was elementary previously thought, any "success" due much individual vigor enthusiastic adaptability monk predetermination historical processes. Each article thoroughly emphasizes bold initiative work, final article, "The Medieval Monk Frontiersman," well articulate counterpoint others. Although discusses monasticism general, merely evangelical function, assert point (literally figuratively) which met native unknown quixotic "frontier society" (VI, 36) other; indeed, environment circumstance demanded monks so prodigious reserve self-reliance spontaneity, resolute innovative would able survive. Article II, Pagan," HI, Papacy Missionary Activity Early Ages," V, "Early Activity: A Comparative Study of...
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