The Reformations of Medicine: Early Modern Beginnings and Contemporary Possibilities

The Reformations of Medicine explores the transformations of religious approaches to medicine in early modernity, with a particular focus on Martin Luther's thought. Lomperis examines implications of these early modern developments for contemporary intersections of spirituality and healthcare.|<p>The sixteenth century witnessed unprecedented reformations in both religious belief and medical knowledge, marked by the rise of Protestantism, the Catholic reform movement, and the new approaches to the study of human anatomy, laying the groundwork for the emergence of evidence-based medicine. <em>The Reformations of Medicine</em> investigates the transformations of religious perspectives on medicine and healing during this era, with a particular focus on Martin Luther's thought. Lomperis explores the implications of these early modern developments for current intersections of spirituality and healthcare.</p>
<p>The study reveals how early Protestants reimagined the spiritual significance of medicine. It illuminates previously little-studied aspects of Luther's theological thought concerning physical suffering. Lomperis argues that Luther pursued a spiritual reformation of approaches to medicine and healing, informed by his theology of created means and idolatry. She demonstrates that Luther's theology challenged the long-standing tradition of viewing natural healing through medicine as spiritually inferior to supernatural, divine healing.</p>
<p>Lomperis develops strategies utilizing early modern thought as a resource for navigating the complexities of suffering in contemporary medical contexts, addressing religiously motivated suspicion of scientific medicine, and engaging Christian spiritualities of healing to promote more equitable healthcare systems.</p>
<p>With rigorous historical research and erudite contemporary analysis, this book provides an innovative exploration of early modern religious approaches to medicine and offers novel insights into the enduring interactions between medicine, spirituality, and religion.</p>|<p>The sixteenth century witnessed unprecedented reformations in both religious belief and medical knowledge, marked by the rise of Protestantism, the Catholic reform movement, and the new approaches to the study of human anatomy, laying the groundwork for the emergence of evidence-based medicine. <em>The Reformations of Medicine</em> investigates the transformations of religious perspectives on medicine and healing during this era, with a particular focus on Martin Luther's thought. Lomperis explores the implications of these early modern developments for current intersections of spirituality and healthcare.</p>
<p>The study reveals how early Protestants reimagined the spiritual significance of medicine. It illuminates previously little-studied aspects of Luther's theological thought concerning physical suffering. Lomperis argues that Luther pursued a spiritual reformation of approaches to medicine and healing, informed by his theology of created means and idolatry. She demonstrates that Luther's theology challenged the long-standing tradition of viewing natural healing through medicine as spiritually inferior to supernatural, divine healing.</p>
<p>Lomperis develops strategies utilizing early modern thought as a resource for navigating the complexities of suffering in contemporary medical contexts, addressing religiously motivated suspicion of scientific medicine, and engaging Christian spiritualities of healing to promote more equitable healthcare systems.</p>
<p>With rigorous historical research and erudite contemporary analysis, this book provides an innovative exploration of early modern religious approaches to medicine and offers novel insights into the enduring interactions between medicine, spirituality, and religion.</p>|<p>In this engaging study, Ekaterina Lomperis deftly describes Martin Luther's new evangelical understanding of physical suffering and the role of medicine in alleviating it. Linking theology with pastoral care, she highlights those elements of the reformer's thought still relevant to Christian faith communities today. <em>The Reformations of Medicine </em>demonstrates the value of drawing from the past to address modern questions. --<strong>Amy Nelson Burnett, Paula and D. B. Varner University Professor emerita, University of Nebraska-Lincoln</strong></p>
<p>This book bridges the gap between early modern thought and contemporary questions about the relationship between religion and medicine. Using Martin Luther's religious understanding, Lomperis provides an excellent introduction to readers interested in the Reformation and its implications for suffering, healing, and medicine in its own context, as well as for contemporary society. --<strong>Esther Chung-Kim, professor of religious studies, Claremont McKenna College, and president, American Society of Church History</strong></p>
<p><em>The Reformations of Medicine</em> offers an innovative exploration of the intersection between religious belief and healing practices during the transformative era of the sixteenth century. Lomperis reveals how the Protestant Reformation not only reshaped theology but also reimagined nonmaterial dimensions of medicine. This book is an essential resource for every enthusiast of science and religion. --<strong>Benjamin R. Doolittle, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine</strong></p>
<p>Ekaterina Lomperis deftly breaks down barriers in this study, combining intellectual history and social history to clarify Luther's teachings on medicine, while also addressing divisions between modern medicine and faith healings. Her work is grounded in the breadth of Luther's thought, which places him firmly in his early modern context, while also illustrating how his doctrines of salvation and the Christian life were basic to the way he conceptualized health, divine providence, and monastic disciplines. A unique work that should be on the bookshelves of everyone interested in the early modern era and its ongoing significance for the modern world. --<strong>R. Ward Holder, professor of theology, Saint Anselm College</strong></p>
<p>The emerging field of medical humanities has presented two gaps: one, a <em>longue dur&#233;e </em>perspective on the discourse, and the other, connection between medicine, humanities, and works focused on religious-<em>cum</em>-theological matters. With <em>The Reformations of Medicine, </em>Ekaterina Lomperis offers a bold and groundbreaking account that fills both these gaps, with Martin Luther as the primary interlocutor. Readers will also appreciate the connection she makes between the world of the early Reformation with contemporary concerns and preoccupations. This book is written in a lucid style; readers will be glad to have chosen it. <em>Tolle lege!</em> --<strong>Paul C. H. Lim, professor of humanities, Hamilton Center, University of Florida, and author of <em>Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis of the Trinity in Early Modern England</em> </strong></p>Read less