Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief
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| Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief | |
|---|---|
 Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief Book Cover, written by Walter Stephens | |
| Author(s) | Walter Stephens |
| Publisher | University Of Chicago Press |
| Publication date | August 15, 2003 |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Length | 478 Pages |
| ISBN | 978-0226772622 |
Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief is a scholarly work written by Walter Stephens. The work is a close examination of the role of demonic beings in the 15th and 16th century religious world. In doing so, the author brings the view that these were not simply stories or dreams, but instead important considerations to the growth of religion at that time.
Overview
- Title: Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief
- Author: Walter Stephens
- Published By: University Of Chicago Press
- Length: 478 Pages
- Format: Paperback
- ISBN-10: 0226772624
- ISBN-13: 978-0226772622
- Publishing Date: August 15, 2003
Plot Summary
Throughout the centuries of witch trials in Europe, many Christian thinkers were interested in a certain recurring theme of the witches' testimonies: their stories of sex with demons. Walter Stephens, a Johns Hopkins Italian studies professor, looks at this preoccupation in his scholarly work, Demon Lovers: Witchcraft, Sex, and the Crisis of Belief. Using 15th- and 16th-century writings on witchcraft from various European countries, the author argues that theories of demon copulation are more than just misogynistic expressions of ambivalence toward female sexuality: they were vital to Christian thought, a way for theologians to resolve perennial questions about the existence of God and the supernatural.
Book Review
At the time of this article's entry in the SuccuWiki, no review was available. Tera has this work on her reading list and will review it shortly.