Defending the Faith: John Jewel and the Elizabethan Church

This book explores the life, work, and lasting significance of John Jewel, bishop of Salisbury from 1560 to 1571, a theologian and scholar who worked with early reformers in England. It sheds light on his work as a polemicist and apologist, his standing in Elizabethan culture, and his role in establishing the Elizabethan Church of England. The contributors also place Jewel in the wider context of gender studies, material culture, and social history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

This comprehensive volume brings together a diverse array of Reformation scholars to explore the life, work, and lasting impact of John Jewel, the bishop of Salisbury from 1560 to 1571. A theologian and scholar who collaborated with early reformers in England, including Peter Martyr Vermigli, Martin Bucer, and Thomas Cranmer, Jewel exerted a profound influence on religious culture and identity. The essays included in this book shed light on often overlooked aspects of Jewel's work, as well as his standing in Elizabethan culture as a priest and a leader whose roles as a polemicist and apologist played crucial roles in establishing the legitimacy and authority of the Elizabethan Church of England. The contributors also place Jewel within the broader context of gender studies, material culture, and social history.

Defending the Faith: A Fresh and Robust Look at an Important Reformation Figure is a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. In addition to the editors, the contributors to this volume include Andrew Atherstone, Ian Atherton, Paul Dominiak, Alice Ferron, Paul A. Hartog, Torrance Kirby, W. Bradford Littlejohn, Aislinn Muller, Joshua Rodda, and Lucy Wooding.

John Jewel's Early Life and Career

John Jewel was born in 1520 in the village of Bishopsbourne, Kent, England. He was the son of Thomas Jewel, a local landowner, and his wife, Mary. Jewel received his education at the University of Oxford, where he studied theology and philosophy. He was a devout Christian and a member of the Protestant Reformation movement.

Jewel's early career was marked by his involvement in the religious reform movement in England. He was a close associate of Peter Martyr Vermigli, a prominent theologian and reformer who was executed for heresy in 1555. Jewel also worked with Martin Bucer, another influential reformer who was instrumental in the establishment of the Protestant Church in England.

Jewel's theological writings were widely influential in the Elizabethan period. He wrote numerous books and essays on various religious topics, including the nature of the church, the authority of Scripture, and the role of the priesthood. He was particularly known for his defense of the English Church against the attacks of Roman Catholicism and other religious opponents.

Jewel's Standing in Elizabethan Culture

Jewel's standing in Elizabethan culture was multifaceted. He was recognized as a champion of the English Church, both by his enemies and by his fellow reformers. He was admired for his theological expertise and his ability to defend the church against the challenges posed by Roman Catholicism and other religious opponents.

Jewel was also respected for his role as a polemicist and apologist. He wrote numerous books and essays that were critical of Roman Catholicism and other religious opponents, and he was known for his ability to articulate his arguments in a clear and persuasive manner. Jewel's writings were widely read and respected by both religious and non-religious individuals in Elizabethan society.

Jewel's Influence on Religious Culture and Identity

Jewel's influence on religious culture and identity was profound. He helped to shape the religious beliefs and practices of his time and played a significant role in establishing the legitimacy and authority of the Elizabethan Church of England.

Jewel's writings were particularly influential in the development of Protestantism in England. He argued that the English Church was the true church of Christ and that the Roman Catholic Church was a false church that had strayed from the teachings of the Bible. Jewel's writings helped to establish the Protestant identity of the English Church and contributed to the development of the English Reformation.

Jewel's writings were also influential in the development of gender studies and material culture. He argued that women should be treated as equals to men and that the church should be more inclusive of women in its leadership and governance. Jewel's writings helped to challenge traditional gender roles and promote greater gender equality in Elizabethan society.

Jewel's Legacy

Jewel's legacy is enduring and continues to be felt today. He is recognized as a champion of the English Church and a key figure in the development of Protestantism in England. His writings are widely read and respected, and his influence on religious culture and identity is still felt.

Jewel's legacy is also a reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the freedom of speech. He was a vocal advocate for religious freedom and the freedom of speech, and his writings helped to establish the principles of religious tolerance and freedom of expression that are still important today.

In conclusion, John Jewel was a theologian and scholar who played a significant role in the Elizabethan Reformation. He was a champion of the English Church, a polemicist and apologist, and a leader whose work as a polemicist and apologist played an important role in establishing the legitimacy and authority of the Elizabethan Church of England. Jewel's influence on religious culture and identity was profound, and his legacy is enduring and continues to be felt today. This comprehensive volume brings together a diverse array of Reformation scholars to explore the life, work, and lasting impact of John Jewel, the bishop of Salisbury from 1560 to 1571. The essays included in this book shed light on often overlooked aspects of Jewel's work, as well as his standing in Elizabethan culture as a priest and a leader whose roles as a polemicist and apologist played crucial roles in establishing the legitimacy and authority of the Elizabethan Church of England. The contributors also place Jewel within the broader context of gender studies, material culture, and social history.

Weight: 538g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271082097