Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night (Annotated): Enriched Edition. A Reformation Treatise on Apparitions, Demonology, and the Christian Discernment of Spirits

Ludwig Lavater's Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night is a learned Reformation treatise on apparitions, nocturnal terrors, and the spiritual meanings ascribed to them. Combining scriptural exegesis, classical learning, patristic citation, and anecdotal report, Lavater examines whether the dead return, why spirits seem to appear, and how Christians should respond. Its sober, polemical prose places it within the Protestant campaign against purgatory, superstition, and popular ghost lore, recasting many "hauntings" as demonic illusion, natural error, or providential warning. Lavater was a Swiss Reformed theologian, minister in Zurich, and a figure shaped by the intellectual world of Heinrich Bullinger, whose daughter he married. Writing in the aftermath of the Reformation, he addressed a culture still saturated with medieval beliefs about souls, masses for the dead, and spectral visitations. His pastoral purpose was clear: to discipline fear through doctrine, and to replace credulous wonder with scriptural discernment. This book is recommended to readers interested in early modern religion, the history of ghosts, demonology, and the Reformation imagination. It is not merely a curiosity of supernatural literature, but a revealing document of how theology, folklore, and intellectual authority contested the unseen world.

This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

© 2023 e-artnow (E-bog): 4066339555044

Oversættere: Robert Harrison

Udgivelsesdato

E-bog: 24. november 2023