THE GERMANIZATION OF EARLY MEDIEVAL CHRISTIANITY - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED! Ive long been a fan of this groundbreaking book, written by Dr. James C. Russell and published by Oxford University Press. I was so impressed by it I flew Dr. Russell across the continent to speak before a major gathering of AFA members and supporters back in 1999! The Germanization of Medieval Christianity describes how Christian missionaries were making little headway with the Germanic peoples until they dumped their image of Jesus. The humble religious teacher had to be recast as a Germanic warlord leading his retinue in order to appeal to the Germans. Their packaging for this new Jesus was The Heliand, a version of the Gospel written in Old Saxon sometime in the first half of the ninth century. This rebranding of Jesus as a heroic figure in the Germanic style represented a huge compromise for European Christianity. The following quote by Dr. Russell, on page 14 of his book, strongly supports the very core of the folkish belief: Recent scientific research has affirmed a genetic component to many individual personality traits such as traditionalism, alienation, and aggressiveness. Genetic factors are now claimed to account for approximately 50 percent of the individual differences in religious attitudes, values, and interests. If combined with the notion of group personality or syntality, these findings may contribute toward the development of a genetic approach to societal religious identity. He provides footnotes substantiating those statements. Couldnt have said it better myself. By all means, purchase and read this book. tinyurl/la4klfv Hail the Gods! Hail the Asatru Folk Assembly! Steve McNallen
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:11:08 +0000
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