Angels of Light? Sanctity and the Discernment of Spirits in the Early Modern Period

Download or read book Angels of Light? Sanctity and the Discernment of Spirits in the Early Modern Period written by Clare Copeland and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2012-11-23 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) Paul's warning of false apostles and false righteousness struck a special chord in the period of the European Reformations. At no other time was the need for the discernment of spirits felt as strongly as in this newly confessional age. More than ever, the ability to discern was a mark of holiness and failure the product of demonic temptation. The contributions to this volume chart individual responses to a problem at the heart of religious identity. They show that the problem of discernment was not solely a Catholic concern and was an issue for authors and artists as much as for prophets and visionaries.