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Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things? Saints and Worshippers from the Martyrs to the Reformation
From its earliest centuries, one of the most notable features of Christianity has been the veneration of the saints--the holy dead. This ambitious history tells the fascinating story of the cult of the saints from its origins in the second-century days of the Christian martyrs to the Protestant Reformation. Robert Bartlett examines all of the most important aspects of the saints--including miracles, relics, pilgrimages, shrines, and the saints' role in the calendar, literature, and art.
The book explores the central role played by the bodies and body parts of saints, and the special treatment these relics received. From the routes, dangers, and rewards of pilgrimage, to the saints' impact on everyday life, Bartlett's account is an unmatched examination of an important and intriguing part of the religious life of the past--as well as the present.
The book explores the central role played by the bodies and body parts of saints, and the special treatment these relics received. From the routes, dangers, and rewards of pilgrimage, to the saints' impact on everyday life, Bartlett's account is an unmatched examination of an important and intriguing part of the religious life of the past--as well as the present.
808 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bartlett
68 books60 followersRobert Bartlett, CBE, FBA, FRSE is Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Mediaeval History Emeritus at the University of St Andrews.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 22, 2023
This is a absolutely incredible book that really gives you an in depth look of the Cult of the Saints and its history.
Overall, it generally covers the history of and rise of the Martyrs, and the transition to and development of Sainthood, across Eastern and Western Christianity both- in addition to lighting on other denominations or Christian groups from around the world. Throughout examining that, it talks broadly about the process of Sanctification itself, what a saint is, the different types of saintly figures, and more (which I think was an important, and brilliant, addition). It also covers feast days, holy days, and liturgy associated with the Saints, Relics and Shrines, Miracles, the Christian art of Pilgrimage, and so much more it's impossible to list it all; it takes 6 pages alone to get through the opening table of contents.
What I particularly loved personally, though, was the deeper delve into Calvinist and Lutheran theology, and their effects on the perception and veneration of the Saints and Martyrs in Protestant denominations after the First Reformation- which is roughly where its timeline stops. Most typically don't get too in depth into the issues the Reformation caused. The last book I read that paid any significant attention to the topic was Stations of the Sun- and I do highly recommend that as well, especially as Hutton talks at great length in some areas about the Reformation (and particularly Calvinist theology's) and the warping of Catholic tradition and mythos which occurred as a result; a very relevant subject for anyone who wants another look at the effects of the Reformation, especially as it further contextualizes what Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things? speaks on.
Back on topic, though: Throughout its course, it delivers enough information that you get a fairly decent account of the history. But it never bogs you down with too much information, or gets too dry that reading it feels like a slog- which it typically a problem with academically oriented texts. And despite being written by a secularist, it never talks down on or disparages any of the elements of faith discussed. The footnotes and bibliography were also just lovely and I wholeheartedly appreciated them.
The only real drawback of this book is that it's a massive chonker that covers a lot- which unfortunately means that some areas are prone to oversimplification and broad generalization. And while it's certainly an easy one to read thanks to the author's talent, it takes a long while to actually get through (as of writing this review, I still haven't technically finished it). Still, I wholeheartedly recommend it as a starting place for anyone who seeks to really learn more about- and understand- the Saints and their material history. It's a great, well rounded, well researched, and well grounded supplement to the often mystical and mythological Hagiographies especially.
Overall, it generally covers the history of and rise of the Martyrs, and the transition to and development of Sainthood, across Eastern and Western Christianity both- in addition to lighting on other denominations or Christian groups from around the world. Throughout examining that, it talks broadly about the process of Sanctification itself, what a saint is, the different types of saintly figures, and more (which I think was an important, and brilliant, addition). It also covers feast days, holy days, and liturgy associated with the Saints, Relics and Shrines, Miracles, the Christian art of Pilgrimage, and so much more it's impossible to list it all; it takes 6 pages alone to get through the opening table of contents.
What I particularly loved personally, though, was the deeper delve into Calvinist and Lutheran theology, and their effects on the perception and veneration of the Saints and Martyrs in Protestant denominations after the First Reformation- which is roughly where its timeline stops. Most typically don't get too in depth into the issues the Reformation caused. The last book I read that paid any significant attention to the topic was Stations of the Sun- and I do highly recommend that as well, especially as Hutton talks at great length in some areas about the Reformation (and particularly Calvinist theology's) and the warping of Catholic tradition and mythos which occurred as a result; a very relevant subject for anyone who wants another look at the effects of the Reformation, especially as it further contextualizes what Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things? speaks on.
Back on topic, though: Throughout its course, it delivers enough information that you get a fairly decent account of the history. But it never bogs you down with too much information, or gets too dry that reading it feels like a slog- which it typically a problem with academically oriented texts. And despite being written by a secularist, it never talks down on or disparages any of the elements of faith discussed. The footnotes and bibliography were also just lovely and I wholeheartedly appreciated them.
The only real drawback of this book is that it's a massive chonker that covers a lot- which unfortunately means that some areas are prone to oversimplification and broad generalization. And while it's certainly an easy one to read thanks to the author's talent, it takes a long while to actually get through (as of writing this review, I still haven't technically finished it). Still, I wholeheartedly recommend it as a starting place for anyone who seeks to really learn more about- and understand- the Saints and their material history. It's a great, well rounded, well researched, and well grounded supplement to the often mystical and mythological Hagiographies especially.
June 4, 2016
Very good overview over the medieval cult of saints from the late Roman Empire to the Reformation. Focuses on the Latin Christendom but also covers pre-catholic Ireland as well as the Middle East. Goes through the chronology of the development of the cult of the saints and then focuses on certain themes such as relics, literature, pilgrimage etc.
Particularly enjoyed because it is written in a way that is easy to be understood without sacrificing terminology and historical narratives of the cult of saints.
Particularly enjoyed because it is written in a way that is easy to be understood without sacrificing terminology and historical narratives of the cult of saints.
January 31, 2016
The most comprehensive history of the cult of the saints in print. Bartlett, a secular medieval scholar, draws from a vast well of primary material--much of it not available in English--to explain every facet of the history and practice of Saint veneration. Being the work of a historian rather than a believer, it lacks insight that faith could provide, and is notably weak on modern practice, but otherwise it's a superb work of scholarship.
June 16, 2016
About once a year I read a book that is genuinely satisfying: this book may be the one for this year. Phenomenally learned yet chatty, this was a challenge worth accepting; Bartlett is a great connector of threads, a good storyteller, a keen analyst, and gives a history of medieval sainthood that is engaging, quirky but founded in deep scholarship.
January 1, 2018
I was very impressed by the detail Bartlett provided, and I learned quite a lot: definitely something I think my Medievalist and Papist friends would enjoy!
October 21, 2018
Fascinating. Exhaustive. Exhausting. Easy to put down. Hard to pick up again. Essential.
Currently reading
March 2, 2015For anyone who has grown up with
saints and miracles this is a pretty fascinating book. We Catholics, former and otherwise, we're all named after one and likely had a favorite one . The book begins with an explanation of the history/beginnings of relics ( okay - for those of you who paid attention in religion class what laywoman comes to mind when you hear or read the word relics?). A somewhat ponderous book, to be sure, but definitely readable - albeit in small chunks. Anxious to hear from others.
saints and miracles this is a pretty fascinating book. We Catholics, former and otherwise, we're all named after one and likely had a favorite one . The book begins with an explanation of the history/beginnings of relics ( okay - for those of you who paid attention in religion class what laywoman comes to mind when you hear or read the word relics?). A somewhat ponderous book, to be sure, but definitely readable - albeit in small chunks. Anxious to hear from others.
June 25, 2014
Fascinating history of the cult of saints. Good illustrations. Lots of things to ponder.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews