Prodigies, Providence, and the Devil

Robin B. Barnes

Jump to Content

Chapter 13 Prodigies, Providence, and the Devil

In: A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Author:

Robin B. Barnes

Robin B. Barnes
Search for other papers by Robin B. Barnes in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 273â294

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004536449_014

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

â¬42.00â¬35.00Â excl. VAT

Add to Cart

Redeem Access Token

Abstract

This chapter considers the roles early modern Europeans assigned to the Devil in the appearance of extraordinary natural phenomena. It focuses on the epicenter of âprodigy cultureâ at its height: the German Protestant lands in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Here the most popular wonder literature and the most widespread discourse about the deepest meanings of natural aberrations arose in an intense atmosphere of apocalyptic expectancy. Not only Lutheran pastors but also teachers, physicians, surgeons, and other townsfolk shared the assumption that Satan raged more destructively than ever in these last days. This chapter suggests that Protestant providentialism tended strongly to keep natural signs and wonders separate from the Devil and demons, whose actions were thus implicitly spiritualized. Wonders and demonic thus became another area of confessional tension.

Citation Info

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share link with colleague or librarian

You can email a link to this page to a colleague or librarian:
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://brill.edhh.ma/abstract/book/9789004536449/BP000023.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Series:Â Brill's Companions to the Christian Tradition, Volume: 111

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004536449

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 12 Aug 2025

Subjects
- History
- Religious Studies
  - History of Religion

Front Matter

Part 1 The Medieval Intellectual Foundation

Part 2 Demons of the Confessional Era

Part 3 Interpreting Demons in Daily Life

Part 4 Demons, Witchcraft, and Science

Part 5 Depicting Demons

Back Matter

Metrics

	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	44	44	3
Full Text Views	5	5	0
PDF Views & Downloads	14	14	1

African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

Subjects

Authors

Open Access

Product Information

Company

Contact

Chapter 13 Prodigies, Providence, and the Devil

Abstract

Citation Info

Share link with colleague or librarian

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Table of Contents

Metrics

Metrics

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750