Marilyn Dunn

Paradigms of Penance

This article offers a cognitive approach to the study of the development of penance and penitentials. It focuses on the mid-sixth-century Irish Penitential of Finnian (Uuinniau), a monastic leader whose background in British as well as Irish monasticism equipped him with knowledge of the works of Basil and Cassian. Uuinniau extended the monastic practices of examination of thoughts and repeatable penance to the laity, producing a paradigm shift which meant that penance not only remedied sin but also stimulated belief in the Christian God.

Intuiting Gods: Creed and Cognition in the Fourth Century

Combining history, theology, and the cognitive study of religion, this article offers a new interpretation of the origins and purpose of the fourth-century Trinitarian theology known as Homoianism, suggesting that it aimed to create an “entry-level“ Christianity as a first step in gradually easing polytheists into Christianity. It highlights the polemical nature of Homoianisms characterization as “Arianism,“ and examines the beliefs of Homoianisms proponents, including those of Ulfila, the “apostle of the Goths.“ This article suggests that the Homoian view of the Trinity attempted to map non-Christian intuitions of divinity onto the Christian doctrine of God. It points to Homoianisms Western origins on the Roman Empires strategically important Danubian frontier, arguing that a Homoian creed should be seen not only in the wider context of the “Arian Controversy,“ but also as part of attempts to ensure the peaceful Romanization of the Goths.

The Monk and the Book: Jerome and the Making of Christian Scholarship – By Megan Hale Williams

Dundonald never actually engaged in chemical warfare. On more than one occasion he did advance detailed plans for the seizure of coastal fortresses through the discharge of noxious and poisonous vapors, yet the Royal Navy never undertook even a test run of his proposals, not to mention an actual attack. In fact, Dundonald’s ideas never advanced beyond the level of a well-argued report. Given this, it is unclear how influential a legacy Dundonald left for the chemical innovators of the First World War, and this reviewer must conclude that the title of “father of chemical warfare” still belongs to Fritz Haber. It is unfortunate, too, that Stephenson’s style weakens his narrative. The author is a believer in the block quote, and some of these extend for more than a page. Although some might consider this a minor quibble, the effect is that Stephenson relies on his sources to do his speaking and provides little interpretation of his own. It would have been beneficial if the author had provided more of his own ideas and insights, and had challenged his sources. Instead, Stephenson remains silent and is content to orchestrate the voices of others. The book is also remarkably slender. The main event is over after ninety-one pages, and the final three chapters, although amusing, are little more than filler. Even with these criticisms, however, The Admiral’s Secret Weapon does have value and is worth reading. How armed forces innovate, or fail to do so, is a question of some importance, for both historians and military professionals. Dundonald was a maverick who advanced his ideas against considerable institutional resistance. It is admirable that he got as far as he did, even if he was unsuccessful, and his perseverance contains lessons for present-day innovators. Maritime scholars will also find Dundonald’s ideas on sea warfare of interest. Despite its problems, The Admiral’s Secret Weapon offers compelling reading. It is fast paced, well illustrated with maps and drawings, and offers insight into an obscure yet interesting aspect of the development of chemical warfare.