This book surveys approaches to the marvelous in hagiography, providing the first critique of Plummeras hypothesis of Irish saga origin. It then analyzes the uniquely systematized phenomena in the Life of Columba from Adomnanas seventh-century theological perspective, identifying the coming of the eschatological Kingdom as the key to understanding.

In the nineteenth century the dissenting Christian community fought for the civil rights of Roman Catholics, nonChristians, and even atheists on an issue of principle which had its flowering in the enthusiastic and undivided support which nonconformity gave to the campaign for Jewish emancipation. This book offers a case study of a theologically conservative group defending religious pluralism in the civic sphere, showing that the concept of religious equality was a grand vision at the center of the political philosophy of the dissenters.