St. Francis of Assisi and Nature

Tradition and Innovation in Western Christian Attitudes toward the Environment

By: Roger D. Sorrell

Write A Review

Hardcover | 1 December 1988

At a Glance

Hardcover
220 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.59 x 13.97 x 1.6

Hardcover

$133.05

or 4 interest-free payments of $33.26 with

or

Ships in 7 to 10 business days

One of the best-loved saints of all time, Francis of Assisi is often depicted today as a kind of proto-hippie or early environmentalist. This book, the most comprehensive study in English of Francis's view of nature in the context of medieval tradition, debunks modern anachronistic interpretations, arguing convincingly that Francis's ideas can only be understood in their 13th-century context. Through close analysis of Francis's writings, particularly the Canticle of the Sun, Sorrell shows that many of Francis's beliefs concerning the proper relation of humanity to the natural world have their antecedents in scripture and the medieval monastic orders, while other ideas and practices--his nature mysticism, his concept of familial relationships with created things, and his extension of chivalric conceptions to interactions with creatures--are entirely his own. Sorrell insists, however, that only by seeing Francis in terms of the Western traditions from which he arose can we
appreciate the true originality of this extraordinary figure and the relevance of his thought to modern religious and environmental concerns.

Industry Reviews

'Sorrell is a professional historian, who brings a fund of learning and insight and common-sense, as well as a strong commitment to an inspiring theme, to a well-worn path. The result is a fresh appraisal of the evidence ... helpful, thoughtful, sensitive study.' Rosalind B. Brooke, Clare Hall, Cambridge, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

More in Religion & Beliefs

God, the Science, the Evidence

Paperback

RRP $48.99

$38.75

21%
OFF

Seasons of the Witch: Winter Tarot

A journey through Yule and Imbolc

Card or Card Deck

RRP $39.99

$30.75

23%
OFF

Bog Queen

Paperback

RRP $32.99

$26.99

18%
OFF

The Buddha

Biography of a Myth

Hardcover

RRP $45.95

$35.99

22%
OFF

A Song for the King

A beautifully illustrated twist on the nativity tale from an award-winning, best-selling duo

Hardcover

RRP $24.99

$20.75

17%
OFF

Entering Hekate's Cauldron

Spells, Spirits, Rites, and Rituals

Paperback

RRP $44.99

$37.75

16%
OFF

Told You So

Hardcover

RRP $49.99

$38.75

22%
OFF

How Christians Can Succeed Today

Reclaiming the genius of the early church

Paperback

RRP $34.99

$26.95

23%
OFF

Crusader Criminals

The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land

Paperback

RRP $22.95

$20.75

10%
OFF

Otto Rahn, Grail Hunter

The Secret of the Cathars and the Return of the White Lady

Paperback

RRP $49.99

$38.75

22%
OFF

Alchemy of Nine Dimensions

Activating the Full Spectrum of Consciousness

Paperback

RRP $32.99

$26.99

18%
OFF

The Holographic Universe - Michael Talbot

$28.75

18%
OFF

Women Who Run with the Wolves : Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype - Clarissa Pinkola, Phd Estes

$26.99

18%
OFF

2026 Witch's Diary

Southern Hemisphere

Paperback

RRP $19.99

$18.75

Joseph Smith : The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet - John G. Turner

$28.75

18%
OFF

Fruitfulness on the Frontline

Making A Difference Where You Are

Paperback

RRP $24.95

$21.75

13%
OFF

Martyr!

Paperback

RRP $22.99

$19.75

14%
OFF

Return to Sri Lanka

Paperback

RRP $27.99

$26.75

The Prophecies of Merlin

The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text

Hardcover

RRP $56.99

$43.75

23%
OFF

We Who Wrestle With God

Perceptions of the Divine

Paperback

RRP $39.99

$31.75

21%
OFF

Radical Acceptance

Awakening the Love that Heals Fear and Shame

Hardcover

RRP $45.00

$35.75

21%
OFF

Abbreviations	p. xi
Introduction: The Myth of the Medieval View of Nature	p. 3
The Ascetic Tradition and the Early Franciscan Outlook	p. 9
Traditional Elements in Francis' Interpretation of Creation	p. 39
Francis' Transcendence of Tradition and Its First Major Impact on His Attitude Toward Creation: The Sermon to the Birds	p. 55
Francis' Special Regard for Creation	p. 69
Tradition and Its Impact on the Canticle	p. 98
The Controversy over the Canticle's Meaning	p. 115
The Canticle: Francis' Ideal Vision of Creation	p. 125
Francis: Reality and Legacy	p. 138
Francis and Catharism	p. 147
Analysis of the Early Franciscan Sources	p. 149
The Sermon to the Birds in the Early Sources	p. 152
Notes	p. 159
Bibliography	p. 185
Index	p. 195
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

St. Francis of Assisi and Nature

Tradition and Innovation in Western Christian Attitudes toward the Environment

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Paperback

More in Religion & Beliefs

God, the Science, the Evidence

Seasons of the Witch: Winter Tarot

A journey through Yule and Imbolc

Bog Queen

The Buddha

Biography of a Myth

A Song for the King

A beautifully illustrated twist on the nativity tale from an award-winning, best-selling duo

Entering Hekate's Cauldron

Spells, Spirits, Rites, and Rituals

Told You So

How Christians Can Succeed Today

Reclaiming the genius of the early church

Crusader Criminals

The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land

Otto Rahn, Grail Hunter

The Secret of the Cathars and the Return of the White Lady

Alchemy of Nine Dimensions

Activating the Full Spectrum of Consciousness

The Holographic Universe

Think Like a Monk

How to Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Everyday

Women Who Run with the Wolves

Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

2026 Lunar and Seasonal Diary

Southern Hemisphere

2026 Witch's Diary

Southern Hemisphere

Joseph Smith

The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet

You Can, If You Want To

Navigating Christian Faith, Conscience, and matters LGBTQ+

Fruitfulness on the Frontline

Making A Difference Where You Are

Martyr!

Return to Sri Lanka

The Prophecies of Merlin

The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text

We Who Wrestle With God

Perceptions of the Divine

Radical Acceptance

Awakening the Love that Heals Fear and Shame

This product is categorised by