On the first day of Francisco de San Antonio's trial before the Spanish Inquisition in Toledo in 1625; his interrogators asked him about his parentage. His real name; he stated; was Abram Rubén; and he had been born in Fez of Jewish parents. How then; Inquisitors wanted to know; had he become a Christian convert? Why had a Hebrew alphabet been found in his possession? And what was his business at the Court in Madrid? "He was asked;" according to his dossier; "for the story of his life." His response; more than ten folios long; is one of the many involuntary autobiographies created by the logic of the Inquisition that today provide rich insights into both the personal lives of the persecuted and the social; cultural; and political realities of the age.In the first edition of Inquisitorial Inquiries; Richard L. Kagan and Abigail Dyer collected; translated; and annotated six of these autobiographies from a diverse group of prisoners. Now they add the fascinating life story of another victim of the Inquisition: Esteban Jamete; a French sculptor accused of being a Protestant. Each of the autobiographies has been selected to represent a particular political or social issue; while at the same time raising more intimate questions about the religious; sexual; political; or national identities of the prisoners. Among them are a politically incendiary prophet; a self-proclaimed hermaphrodite; and a morisco; an Islamic convert to Catholicism.
#30797 in Books Tyndale House Publishers 2012-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .88 x 5.50l; .75 #File Name: 1414364555336 pagesPagan Christianity Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good ReadBy toddThis was an eye-opening read. I have recommended this book to several people. It caused me to evaluate the church I pastor and has helped me see and understand the impact culture through the ages has had on the church. Thanks for a great book Frank Viola. I have already purchased a few others and they are on my short list.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. eye openingBy Richard Hurschmangreat book lots of real knowledge in here highly recommended if you want to know why we do alot of what we do. Ids it biblical based or come from other sources1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wow! This was a Life-Changer for Me!By Keith MarshFor many in the Body of Christ; the Early Church provides a model. And yet; we've not been able to peel back the layers of Church history to see it shine. In particular; do we realize that our current practices of hiring a pastor; staff; building buildings - not to mention worship song list; the sermon and the altar call find no place in early church practice? Shocking isn't it? In Finding Organic Church; Frank Viola shows us another way that is compelling in its simplicity. You won't be sorry you purchased and read this book. But be ready to have some basic assumptions challenged. I am a former pastor who served one church for 30 years in New England.
