Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle): Difference between revisions

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These pages present a Catholic view of Saint Joan of Arc that is consistent with the vetted historical record. It reviews the facts of the life and accomplishments of Saint Joan, as well as their historical context. It offers commentary and criticism of historical and academic views of her, especially as regards the secularization and ideological contortions of her life and legacy.

The analysis here starts with faith not doubt, thus Joan's experiences and visions (which I will call her "Voices") are assumed as real.<ref name=":12">As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that merely assume that her visions were not divine; similarly, these pages will not automatically assume a divine nature for everything she did nor what she was said to have done: the approach here is faithful yet cautious.</ref> As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that begin from doubt, these pages accept their divine nature, which, applied prudently, enables important historical, typological, and scriptural connections to Joan's life and acts that otherwise go unconsidered. The approach here is faithful yet cautious~~, believing but not overly credulous~~.

The analysis here starts with faith not doubt, thus Joan's experiences and visions (which I will call her "Voices") are assumed by default as real.<ref name=":12">As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that merely assume that her visions were not divine; similarly, these pages will not automatically assume a divine nature for everything she did nor what she was said to have done: the approach here is faithful yet cautious.</ref> As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that begin from doubt, these pages accept their divine nature, which, applied prudently, enables important historical, typological, and scriptural connections to Joan's life and acts that otherwise go unconsidered. The approach here is faithful yet cautious.

This discussion of Saint Joan is analysis not narrative. Although the narrative is presented, the approach here is thematic not strictly chronological. To review a straight chronology of her life, please see the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc Timeline|Joan of Arc Timeline]] or find a good narrative treatment of her from the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc bibliography|Joan of Arc bibliography]].

As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will ~~not use isolated~~ "proof-~~text~~" to support the ~~claims~~, ~~but~~ will instead ~~attempt~~ to ~~consider them~~ across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic ~~Visions, which~~ are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. ~~But it's~~ not ~~just about~~ Joan of Arc: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.

As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will strive to avoid "proof-texts" to support a claim that may be countered elsewhere in the record, and will instead seek to evaluate the history across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic visions that are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. The rule does not apply to Joan of Arc alone: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.

Finally, as my arguments are contingent upon larger historical context before and after the life of Saint Joan, I encourage the reader to explore the history more largely in the sources listed in the footnotes and bibliography.

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 These pages present a Catholic view of Saint Joan of Arc that is consistent with the vetted historical record. It reviews the facts of the life and accomplishments of Saint Joan, as well as their historical context. It offers commentary and criticism of historical and academic views of her, especially as regards the secularization and ideological contortions of her life and legacy.
-The analysis here starts with faith not doubt, thus Joan's experiences and visions (which I will call her "Voices") are assumed as real.<ref name=":12">As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that merely assume that her visions were not divine; similarly, these pages will not automatically assume a divine nature for everything she did nor what she was said to have done: the approach here is faithful yet cautious.</ref> As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that begin from doubt, these pages accept their divine nature, which, applied prudently, enables important historical, typological, and scriptural connections to Joan's life and acts that otherwise go unconsidered. The approach here is faithful yet cautious, believing but not overly credulous.
+The analysis here starts with faith not doubt, thus Joan's experiences and visions (which I will call her "Voices") are assumed by default as real.<ref name=":12">As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that merely assume that her visions were not divine; similarly, these pages will not automatically assume a divine nature for everything she did nor what she was said to have done: the approach here is faithful yet cautious.</ref> As opposed to skeptical treatments of Joan that begin from doubt, these pages accept their divine nature, which, applied prudently, enables important historical, typological, and scriptural connections to Joan's life and acts that otherwise go unconsidered. The approach here is faithful yet cautious.
 This discussion of Saint Joan is analysis not narrative. Although the narrative is presented, the approach here is thematic not strictly chronological. To review a straight chronology of her life, please see the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc Timeline|Joan of Arc Timeline]] or find a good narrative treatment of her from the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc bibliography|Joan of Arc bibliography]].
-As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will not use isolated "proof-text" to support the claims, but will instead attempt to consider them across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic Visions, which are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. But it's not just about Joan of Arc: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.
+As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will strive to avoid "proof-texts" to support a claim that may be countered elsewhere in the record, and will instead seek to evaluate the history across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic visions that are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. The rule does not apply to Joan of Arc alone: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.
 Finally, as my arguments are contingent upon larger historical context before and after the life of Saint Joan, I encourage the reader to explore the history more largely in the sources listed in the footnotes and bibliography.