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A World Transformed: Exploring the Spirituality of Medieval Maps
On the edge of medieval maps, monsters roam. In the west, pilgrims take well-traveled roads to Rome and Compostela. In the east, Old Testament history unfolds. And at the center, in the city of Jerusalem, Jesus saves the world.In A World Transformed, Lisa Deam takes us on an incredible journey through medieval maps. Despite their curious appearance, these maps, as Deam shows, are surprisingly modern. In their monstrous, marvelous sights lie treasure troves of wisdom to guide twenty-first-century Christians on their walk with God. Each chapter in this geographical journey links medieval maps to biblical concepts and spiritual practices that transform our faith and our world."The modern era did much damage to the faith, especially in its bias against anything 'old'--'Chronological Snobbery,' as C. S. Lewis called it. Now as many disillusioned, directionless Evangelicals look to orient their modern compasses toward timeless truth, they are turning in great numbers to the ancient good of the Christian faith. Deam has expertly unpacked a beautiful spiritual map that points us home--and it's a surprising journey that can change your life."--Chris Alford, Pastor, Epiclesis, Sacramento, CA"As someone who trains people in spiritual direction, I highly recommend Deam's book. . . . Like any good map, it will orient you to a new way of seeing--you will look through this time and place to another paradigm of living that can encourage Christians on their spiritual path today. By making medieval maps accessible and applicable to modern life, this book will help you discover your place in the story God is telling about the world."--Jeanie Hoover, Executive Director, Transformational Listening Center, Prospect Heights, IL"A World Transformed is a beautifully written and spiritually enriching book. Deam takes us on a journey of faith inspired by the Christ-centered world depicted in medieval maps. I know of few books that do such an amazing job of bringing serious historical scholarship and Christian spirituality together in a way that serves the needs of the church and its people."--John Fea, Chair of the Department of History, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, PALisa Deam writes and speaks on medieval art, maps, and spirituality. A World Transformed is her first book.
- GenresTheology
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
11 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Deam
5 books70 followersI'm a writer and speaker who loves showing how medieval spirituality can guide our walk of faith today.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 28, 2015
When I learned of 'A World Transformed' it sounded fascinating – but when I read it, it was so much more than I'd hoped or expected. Lisa Deam leads us into the world of these Medieval maps, with Jerusalem at their centre, and acts as our guide to what we will find there – enabling us to see it with the eyes of faith. With brilliant and beautiful insights she shows us that these Medieval maps 'picture our history and our salvation' and that 'we have a place in their beautiful, Christ-centred world'. This is a world centred on Christ and a world held by Christ, where 'God redeems the edge, making it a place of miracles as well as monsters.' Lisa Deam shows us how we can use these Medieval maps to navigate our journey of faith, whilst all the while remaining centred on Christ. This review does not do justice to this wonderful book. Get hold of a copy, and I am sure that you, like me, will find it to be so much more than you hope or expect.
January 27, 2021
This review was first published along with a personal essay on maps in my blog: https://fromarockyhillside.com/2021/0...
Lisa Deam has a PhD in art history. Torn between the study of art and religion, she found a way to blend the two with medieval maps. These old maps are not the equivalent of the gas station maps I grew up studying. Such maps were works of art. Most of these maps centered the world by placing Jerusalem, the locale of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, in the middle. Everything else in the world flowed there, including the three known continents of the pre-enlightened world.
Some of these ancient maps also had Christ behind the world, with his hands and feet holding the world up. Often the edges of the maps contained monsters and were scary places. But with Christ’s hands and feet the medieval travelers were reminded they were not alone when travelling. God’s protection was present.
These maps also contained a lot of information. Of course, some of the monsters were fantastical, but the map contained bits of history beyond what happened in Jerusalem. Interestingly, one of the themes were the conquests of Alexander the Great. Of course, one studying such a map in the 1300s would have no idea or first-hand knowledge of these places where Alexander or even Jesus walked.
The Hereford Map, produced around the year 1300, receives the most attention from Dean. This four-foot map resides in the cathedral has great detail. She also spends time with the Ebstorf Map and a small “Psalter Map.” Unlike the other two, the Psalter map was designed for private devotion.
Recommendation
Dean does not set out to write a history of cartography. Instead, we’re taken into the world of the era and invited to think of how their worldview and beliefs were seen through these maps. In addition, questions at the end of each chapter invites us to contemplate about our own lives and worldview in relation to God. While the book contains much new knowledge of maps in the 13th and 14th Centuries, it’s really written as a devotional guide.
I enjoyed reading this book. I only wish it included a 4-foot square copy of the Hereford Map that I could have spent lots of time poring over as I read the book. It does include a small version of the map and a few large, detailed sections of the map for the reader to see with their own eyes what the author is describing. I recommend this book.
Lisa Deam has a PhD in art history. Torn between the study of art and religion, she found a way to blend the two with medieval maps. These old maps are not the equivalent of the gas station maps I grew up studying. Such maps were works of art. Most of these maps centered the world by placing Jerusalem, the locale of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, in the middle. Everything else in the world flowed there, including the three known continents of the pre-enlightened world.
Some of these ancient maps also had Christ behind the world, with his hands and feet holding the world up. Often the edges of the maps contained monsters and were scary places. But with Christ’s hands and feet the medieval travelers were reminded they were not alone when travelling. God’s protection was present.
These maps also contained a lot of information. Of course, some of the monsters were fantastical, but the map contained bits of history beyond what happened in Jerusalem. Interestingly, one of the themes were the conquests of Alexander the Great. Of course, one studying such a map in the 1300s would have no idea or first-hand knowledge of these places where Alexander or even Jesus walked.
The Hereford Map, produced around the year 1300, receives the most attention from Dean. This four-foot map resides in the cathedral has great detail. She also spends time with the Ebstorf Map and a small “Psalter Map.” Unlike the other two, the Psalter map was designed for private devotion.
Recommendation
Dean does not set out to write a history of cartography. Instead, we’re taken into the world of the era and invited to think of how their worldview and beliefs were seen through these maps. In addition, questions at the end of each chapter invites us to contemplate about our own lives and worldview in relation to God. While the book contains much new knowledge of maps in the 13th and 14th Centuries, it’s really written as a devotional guide.
I enjoyed reading this book. I only wish it included a 4-foot square copy of the Hereford Map that I could have spent lots of time poring over as I read the book. It does include a small version of the map and a few large, detailed sections of the map for the reader to see with their own eyes what the author is describing. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews