A savage conversion: Unbelief and Demonic Possession in Pierre de Berulle?s Traite des energumenes (1599)

DEL OLMO, ISMAEL

Revue d'histoire ecclesiastique

Université Catholique de Louvain

Lugar: Louvain; Año: 2018

0035-2381

This paper deals with the connections between unbelief and demonic possession in early modern France. It suggests that the possessed functioned as physical evidence of some of Christianity?s essential, invisible truths. The text will first highlight the way in which several sixteenth century French Christian intellectuals regarded unbelief as a denial of divine Judgement, providence, hell, and the immortality of the soul. Then, it will relate this critique to the figure of Pierre de Bérulle and his Traité des énerguménes (1599), brandished against the unbelievers who, at least he thought, were ravaging France. Bérulle presents demonic possession as an experience capable of displaying the visible reality of immortality, divine retribution, and hell. One final remark will connect Bérulle?s views on possession with Michel de Certeau?s notion of fides.