The Reformation of the Decalogue
Religious Identity and the Ten Commandments in England, c.1485–1625

Explores how the English Reformation transformed the meaning of the Ten Commandments, which in turn helped shape the Reformation itself.

Jonathan Willis (Author)

9781108403993, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

408 pages, 18 b/w illus. 3 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.547 kg

'The Reformation of the Decalogue is an outstanding achievement that adds to our knowledge of the conformity with which the English people accepted the vast changes that the Reformation brought.' Susan Wabuda, The American Historical Review

The Reformation of the Decalogue tells two important but previously untold stories: of how the English Reformation transformed the meaning of the Ten Commandments, and of the ways in which the Ten Commandments helped to shape the English Reformation itself. Adopting a thematic structure, it contributes new insights to the history of the English Reformation, covering topics such as monarchy and law, sin and salvation, and Puritanism and popular religion. It includes, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of surviving Elizabethan and Early Stuart 'commandment boards' in parish churches, and presents a series of ten case studies on the Commandments themselves, exploring their shifting meanings and significance in the hands of Protestant reformers. Willis combines history, theology, art history and musicology, alongside literary and cultural studies, to explore this surprisingly neglected but significant topic in a work that refines our understanding of British history from the 1480s to 1625.

Part I. The Civil Office of the Law: 1. Law
2. Order
Part II. The Evangelical Office of the Law: 3. Sin
4. Salvation
Part III. The Practical Office of the Law: 5. The godly
6. The 'ungodly'
Conclusion: the Ten Commandments in England, c.1485–c.1625.

Subject Areas: Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches [HRCC93], Protestantism & Protestant Churches [HRCC9], Church history [HRCC2], Christianity [HRC], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]