Faith and Pestilence

Paradigms and Historical, Theological, Hermeneutic Issues
ALBERTO MELLONI, FEDERICO RUOZZI, FRANCESCA CADEDDU
Fscire Research and Papers 3
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen, 2024
pp: 228
Paper € 40.00
ISBN: 9783847114758

This volume aims to take up the theme of the relationship between faith and pestilence, which, despite its topicality, is rooted in a long-term dimension that involves different areas of knowledge. A markedly disciplinary look brings together historical, theological, political, and juridical analyses and thus allows to understand this relationship through paradigms, turning points, continuities, and discontinuities. Such a wide perspective makes it possible to observe how the theme has crossed ages and religions, from the fathers of the church, to medicine in medieval Islam, up to contemporary times, with Ivan Illich’s harsh critique of forced medicalization and the issues that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alberto Melloni is professor of history of Christianity at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and secretary of the Fondazione per le scienze religiose (Bologna and Palermo).

Federico Ruozzi is associate professor of history of Christianity at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and secretary of the journal Cristianesimo nella storia.

Francesca Cadeddu is assistant professor of contemporary history at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and director of RESILIENCE, the European Research Infrastructure on Religious Studies.