Jan Hus between Time and Eternity

Reviews / Votes

Modern research on the Bohemian heretic Jan Hus (d. 1415) is intimately tied in with the seminal work by Thomas A. Fudge.... [Fudge's] enormous productivity is now nicely complemented by the present publication.... Fudge proves to be an amazing expert who has all the relevant primary materials at his fingertips and can thus quarry them anew for hitherto disregarded and yet important aspects, shedding significant life on this religious leader. * Sixteenth Century Journal * Fudge's book is particularly welcome because he offers a wider English-speaking readership a route to modern scholarship about Hus.... this is an extremely valuable collection of studies that challenges current views of Jan Hus and will prove valuable to students and scholars alike. * Canadian Journal of History * This is a lively and readable study, filled with surprises (unusual subjects of research, original methods to get close to Hus's ideas and context, and new conclusions). It will be of interest to scholars of late medieval heresy and Church politics, and those interested in Luther and the Reformation. It is warmly recommended. * Parergon * Once again, the tireless Thomas Fudge has found riches in old mines that we thought were played out, beginning with Hus on women's spirituality and Hus on sex, and ending with some sharp comments on turning Hus into a political hero. Fudge is risk-taker, free with his opinions, and never dull. -- Gerald Christianson, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary The historical reputation of Jan Hus, the reforming Czech preacher executed for heresy by the Council of Constance in 1415, has been too long the captive of religious and nationalist agendas. In this challenging book, Thomas Fudge undertakes a revision of the simplistic hagiography of Hus the martyr. His book gives us material on under explored topics like Hus' attitude toward women and sex, as well as his views on heresy. Fudge also gives overdue attention to Hus' foes and their opinion that he was stiff-necked and arrogant. Anyone interested in Hus and those who challenged orthodoxy in Bohemia during the period after his death will want to factor into their assessments a sustained reading of Fudge's latest book. -- Thomas Izbicki, Rutgers University Reflecting his magisterial command of sources both primary and secondary, in this stimulating study Dr. Fudge explores a wide range of issues related to Jan Hus. At times passionate and personal, his book effectively examines the subtleties and shadows of topics not normally central to treatments of Hus. Dr. Fudge brings to these matters a healthy revisionist approach that touches Hus' life and the myths and legends that have surrounded him. Dr. Fudge's efforts represent both a sure stimulus to further scholarship and a ringing affirmation of Hus' own ideal that the truth should prevail. -- Paul Knoll, University of Southern California Thomas Fudge has redefined the understanding of Jan Hus for the English-speaking world, questioning long standing assumptions and revealing the historical and theological roots of Hus's hagiography and his demonization. In this new collection of essays, Dr. Fudge shows how he continues to encourage new approaches to Hus on the 600th anniversary of his death at Constance. These essays, delivered at conferences across the globe, show how Hus continues to arouse strong feelings and occasionally intense debate. -- Stephen E. Lahey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln