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Short Biography: Susan Wabuda

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Susan Wabuda (PhD, Cambridge University) is a professor of Historical Studies at Fordham University, NY. Her specialty is early modern history. She is a member of several organizations such as Ecclesiastical History Society, Society for Reformation Research, and many more. Her published works are Thomas Cranmer, Belief and Practice in Reformation England as well as several journal articles. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE “My Purpose for this monograph has been to augment older studies by J.W. Blench in Preaching in England, G.R. Owst in Preaching in Medieval England, and Millar Maclure in Paul’s Cross Sermons” (6). Wabuda admitted that her work will not surpass the other seminal works, yet serve only to add to the discussion about preaching in the …show more content…

Around England, there were crosses that functioned as pulpits where preacher would address laity. Such a move proved beneficial, for there was more room outside than inside. Soon after, and for the same reasons, preaching took place in the church’s yard. In the second chapter, Wabuda discussed the influence of Erasmus’ Ecclesiastes; preachers now had a textbook. Erasmus’ work emphasized the teaching aspect of the priest. Lay people needed an interpreter since the Bible had been place in the hands of the laity. Therefore, it was important for preachers to be educated, thus the arrival of the educated sermon. Aesthetically, the pulpit was lifted above the people, an effort to enhance the aural and visual aspect of the observer during the preaching moment. In the next chapter, Wabuda explained how, with the dissolution of the monasteries, friar we ushered into two veins. First, they were assimilated in to the surrounding parishes, assuming secular job as well as being able to help fill in to preach when needed. Second, they became itinerant preachers, traveling about, collecting earning for their preaching. Wabuda finally discussed the ornamentation of ‘IHS’ on the pulpit. Of course it directly related to the name of Jesus. It was placed in the chantries throughout England before their destruction under Edward VI’s reign. Yet, Wabuda offered some great insight at to its use and original intention. IHS was placed on banners that hung …show more content…

Historical scholars, questioning the commonly accepted historical timeline of events, causes, and reactions to the English Reformation, even to the point of questioning if the reformation mattered. In an effort to support her stance that the reformation mattered, Wabuda’s discussion of the time and the development of the sermon serve not only to enhance prior scholarship related to English Reformation in the sixteenth century but also, of the reality necessity of the reformation. MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO STUDY OF BRITISH

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