Miracles and Wonders

Michael E. Goodich was formerly Professor of Medieval History at the University of Haifa, Israel.

• Contents: Appreciating Michael Goodich, Gary Dickinson; Preface; Introduction; Signa data infidelibus non fidelibus: the theology of miracle; The miracle in contemporary sermons; 'Popular' voices of doubt; Theory and public policy: canonization records; Canonization and the hagiographical text; Vidi in somnium: the uses of dream and vision in the miracle; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

’This is an important volume in several respects. On the one hand, the volume will regrettably stand as Goodich’s final contribution to the study of the religious, political and social nature of the miraculous in the middle ages. At the same time, Goodich underlines with exceptional and vivid detail, informed by penetrating readings of an extensive range of hagiographical and theological texts as well as canonisation records and depositions, the extent to which faith and belief in the miraculous continued alongside a clear and increasing demand for legalistic proof and the desire to provide a more rational foundation for Christian belief in miracles, in the face of heresy and other manifestations of doubt and disbelief.’ English Historical Review ’This fascinating and provocative study draws on rich source material and will be of great interest to many... In sum, this is an extremely interesting and stimulating book, and it suggests a number of further avenues for research.’ The Medieval Review ’... Miracles and Wonders is a fascinating contribution to medieval church history and should be part of every graduate and seminary library.’ Catholic Book Review ’Ce livre, né de réflexions connexes à d’autres recherches, est une synthèse importante dans le paysage actuel des études sur la sainteté.’ Francia '... the abundant harvest of material here, from both manuscript and printed sources, is a fitting reflection of Michael Goodich's active and enduring fascination with the saints, miracles, and hagiographic writings of high medieval Europe.' Church History