Poor Relief and Protestantism

Timothy G. Fehler, Furman University, USA

• Contents: Introduction; Pre-Reformation poor relief in Emden; Social welfare after the Reformation (c. 1525-50); The evolution of new social welfare institutions; The administration of poor relief in the second half of the 16th century; Social welfare and minority groups in Calvinist Emden; Church discipline, social disciplining and poor relief; Emden and the development of ’reformed’ social welfare; Appendix: about the currency; Bibliography; Index.

'An excellent addition for any academic library.' Choice, Vol. 37, no. 6 'Fehler's nuanced understanding of social welfare in the Reformation is a welcome contribution to the historiography of this subject.' Lutheran Quarterly '... adds nuance ot scholarly discussion... Meticulously researched and carefully argued, Timothy Fehler's monograph makes a contribution to scholarship on both poor relief and protestantism and should be required reading for those interested in confessionalization in sixteenth-century Europe.' Church History, Vol. 69 '... a carefully researched and well-written book, helping to expand our knowledge of life in the sixteenth century urban world, with its attendant problems and attempted solutions.' Calvin Theological Journal, Vol. 35 '... a solid contribution to the history of poverty and charity in early modern Europe. Fehler interprets his sources with care... he can speak with precision.' Sixteenth Century Journal XXXII 'Fehler's work constitutes an important case study and a reminder that the transformation of Europe's political, economic, and social structures in the sixteenth century, in Protestant as in Catholic lands, can never be satisfactorily explained by the introduction of novel religious doctrines and practices alone... englightening and timely.' Journal of Church and State