Seventeenth-Century Cultural Discourse: France and the Preaching of Bishop Camus

Abstract

Using a wealth of previously neglected sources, this book is a case study of early 17th century preaching, and one that sheds new light on the religious history of France. Analyzing the pulpit discourses of Bishop Camus, the study employs an interdisciplinary approach that integrates literature, history, culture, religion, politics, and gender studies. In light of this book, some well-known theses on early modern Catholicism may need qualification. Delumeau's depiction of a pervasive dialectic between fear of hell and a sentiment of security finds little corroboration. Bossy's perspectives on eclipse of the 'Seven deadly sins' by the Decalogue, and on replacement of a communal church by more private Christianity, find few echoes. Though some scholars have pointed to a growing hostility toward the poor in the 17th century, Camus called the poor 'images of Christ'. Thus Camus provides important evidence for a new assessment of religion and society in old regime of France.