An Evaluation of the Revelations of Julian of Norwich

Mary Paul Conniffe, Fordham University

Abstract

CHAPTER I HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 'Here es a vision shewed be the goodeness of God to a devoute woman and hir name es Julyan, that is recluse atte Norwyche and yitt ys on life. Anno dni millmo CCCxiii, ' The unidentified copyist who entered this comment to his transcription of the Revelations, thus provides the sole primary, documented witness to the author's identity. It is to be the attempt of this paper: First: to examine the two possible frameworks of a religious way of life, within one of which these writings could have been produced, This phase of the work will touch upon the extant civil and ecclesiastical registers for the city of Norwich, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, as well as upon the rules by which recluses and women of religious houses abode; Second: to select from the Revelations, the author's exact references to these three articles of Christian dogma: the existence and nature of sin; the effect of Christ's Redemptive Act; and the operation of the Most Blessed Trinity through Grace in the souls of the just, This will entirely prescind from any question of the mystical nature of Julian's Revelations; Third: to present a brief outline of the fundamental teachings of the church on the above three stated doctrines of belief. The outline of this teaching will be begun with its primary source, scripture. For an elucidation of scripture, the tradition developed by the Apostolic Fathers, the definitions of the councils, and the work of eminent theologians will be employed.

Subject Area

Theology|Religion|Spirituality|History|Clergy

Recommended Citation

Conniffe, Mary Paul, "An Evaluation of the Revelations of Julian of Norwich" (1960). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28673343.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28673343

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