Initially an agnostic with an interest in neoplatonism, she eventually became an anglocatholic with strong leanings toward mysticism. Jan 02, 2020 although it is true that christians experience god, christian mysticism tends to elevate experiential knowledge and revel in the mysterious, focusing on mysticism for spiritual growth. The book is thematically organized in terms of the central contexts, practices and concepts associated with the mystical life in early, medieval and. Contemporary theological explorations in mysticism routledge. Mysticism played an important role in the history of christian religion and emerged as a living influence in modern times. The essential writings of christian mysticism modern library classics.
This clear and comprehensive anthology, culled from the vast corpus of christian mystical literature by the renowned theologian and historian bernard mcginn, presents nearly one hundred selections, from the writings of origen of alexandria in the third century to the work of twentiethcentury mystics such as thomas merton. This is an anthology which deserves to be read not only by those who study christian history and theology, but by believers who long to deepen their own lives of prayer and. Christianity has a rich tradition of mystical theology that first emerged in the writings of the early church fathers. Dec 28, 2007 discover book depositorys huge selection of christian mysticism books online. A study in the nature and development of spiritual consciousness, is the authoritative text of modern mysticism. Published june 21st 2007 by modern library first published december 12th 2006. Select bibliography of christian mystical texts up to around 1750.
Bernard mcginns the presence of god series is one of the most respected histories of christian mysticism in print today. In this new book, bernard and patricia mcginn draw from the series to take a closer, personal look at the mystical vision of 12 great spiritual masters living before the reformation. Mysticism is the sense of some form of contact with the divine or transcendent, often understood in christian tradition as involving union with god. The experiences of mystics are often framed within theological approaches to god, such as quietism, pietism, etc therefore, in order to aid in the understanding of christian mysticism, this list includes some philosophers, theologians, anonymous theological books, religious groups and movements whose ideas and practices have had an influence. An introduction to christian mysticism, initiation into the monastic tradition 3.
The essential writings of christian mysticism modern library classics mcginn, bernard on. An introduction to contemporary theoretical approaches. A more contemporary christian mystic would be evelyn underhill who authored the book, mysticism, a study of the nature and development of mans spiritual consciousness. The book first introduces students to the main themes that underpin christian mysticism. In turn, the church eventually reconciled the rather murky debate between authentic, christian mysticism and pagan, heretical mysticism by succinctly proclaiming that humanity can only come to reach god through analytical knowledge, and yet what man cannot know by natural reason, he can know through revelation and faith. According to the belgian jesuit joseph marechal, christian mysticism includes three broadly defined stages. Pdf a course in christian mysticism download ebook for free.
This book introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. These unknown christian mystics are life giving members of the church. However, quakers, anglicans, methodists, episcopalians, lutherans, local churches, pentecostals and charismatics have in various. This book focuses on the specific anthropology of a series of. The question of the structure of the human person is central to many mystical authors in the christian tradition. Part one examines the preparation for encountering god through biblical interpretation and prayer. As theodore roszak has put it, the enlightenment held mysticism up for ridicule as the worst offense against science and reason.
Christian mysticism refers to mystical practices and theory within christianity. This work introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. Uniquely organized by subject rather than by author, the essential writings of christian mysticism explores how human life is transformed through the search for direct contact with god. What are some differences between christian mysticism and biblical spirituality. Christian mysticism grace bible church of gillette. Download this book introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. The essential writings of christian mysticism book.
It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the roman catholic and orthodox christianity both the eastern orthodox and oriental orthodox traditions. The early christian mystics were desert hermits, who helped to establish both christian mysticism and the monastic life. The essential writings of christian mysticism modern. No other book of its type until the appearance in 1946 of aldous huxleys the perennial philosophy met with success to match that of her bestknown work, mysticism, published. Eckharts divine spark corresponds closely to the teachings of eastern mysticism, with the difference that in christian mysticism it is defined as god residing in every human being. New critical questions in christian contemplative practice. The cambridge companion to christian mysticism is a multiauthored interdisciplinary guide to the study of christian mysticism, with an emphasis on the 3rd through the 17th centuries. Christian mysticism an introduction to christian mysticism. Praise for the essential writings of christian mysticism no one is better equipped. In modern times, mysticism has acquired a limited definition, with broad applications, as meaning the aim at the union with the absolute, the infinite, or god. Equally wrong is to reject all mystical claims and experiences. Read download christian mysticism pdf pdf download. Solitude, contemplation, selfdenial and often silence all aim at the emptying of the self in order that we might be filled with god. Christianity has a rich tradition of mystical theology that first emerged in the writings of the early.
Christian mysticism refers to the development of mystical practices and theory within. Christianity has a rich tradition of mystical theology that first emerged in the writings of the early church. Booktopia buy christian mysticism books online from australias leading. The wrong thing to do is to embrace all mystical claims and experiences. Christian mysticism flourished during the middle ages and it is this period that the book focuses on. Christianity has a rich tradition of mystical theology that first emerged in the writings of the early church fathers, and flourished during the middle ages. Bradley b onishi this book introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. Discover book depositorys huge selection of christian mysticism books online. Still today, both education and religion are often hostile to mysticism. Practical mysticism is a work by one of the foremost 20th century christian mystics, evelyn underhill. For the modern mystics we found and interviewed individuals that have interacted with god like the saints of old. As the title suggests, the central theme is the imitation.
If your pastor, your professor, your children, or your friends are reading any of these books, then they are being led down a path that will take them toward a mystical, panentheistic spirituality. The definitive anthology of christian mysticism this 550page tome is the definitive anthology of christian mysticism. The essential writings of christian mysticism by bernard mcginn. Christian mysticism an introduction to contemporary. Christianity stages of christian mysticism britannica. Unfortunately, there are also serious deficiencies in practice and theology that mean christian mystics fall short of the biblical picture of spirituality. Mysticism is not so much a doctrine as a method of thought.
Download pdf a course in christian mysticism free online. In the west, the modern age meaning the 16th to mid20th centuries was not only ignorant of, but actually hostile to, mysticism. Mysticism played an important role in the history of christian religion and emerged as a living influence in modern. The cambridge companion to christian mysticism is a multiauthored interdisciplinary guide to the study of christian mysticism, with an emphasis on the third through the seventeenth centuries. Visit the online discussions on christian spirituality issues at our sister site at. Yet eckhart is considered to be one of the most important christian mystics of the middle ages and both ancient and modern mysticism reflect his views.
Description christian mysticism by louise nelstrop this book introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. This clear and comprehensive anthology, culled from the vast corpus of christian mystical literature. The imitation includes four sections or books and reflects the faith of the devotio moderna the modern way of serving god, a catholic movement that began in the 14th century. A course in christian mysticism new books in politics. First, christian mystics tend to have an optimistic understanding of human nature. The proper christian goal is faith in god and following the teachings of jesus christ. Christian mysticism by louise nelstrop, 9780754669906, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. We might begin by noting that in the early 1960s a wide. As an introduction to christian mysticism and an exploration of why mysticism remains relevant in our time, the first part of the book explores the question of what mysticism is, examining its biblical roots, its paradoxical nature, and how christian mysticism has evolved over time. This book is a compilation of encounters and revelations from historical, biblical and modern day mystics. Christian mysticism by louise nelstrop boomerang books. In the englishspeaking world, she was one of the most widely read writers on such matters in the first half of the twentieth century.
Christian mysticism score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The cambridge companion to christian mysticism edited by. The goal of christian mysticism is to find unity with god. Praise for the essential writings of christian mysticism no one is better equipped than bernard mcginn to provide a thorough and balanced guide to this vast literature. Bernard mcginn, a preeminent historian and interpreter of the christian mystical tradition, has edited this fine collection of mystical writings, organizing them thematicallymcginn offers helpful introductions to each thematic section, author and entry, as well as a brief critical bibliography on mysticism. Christian mystics have described the stages of the return of the soul to god in a variety of ways. Today christian mysticism is increasingly recognised as an important christian heritage relevant to todays spiritual seekers. Published in the modern library classic series, this is a great value. Ray yungen and the editors at lighthouse trails have put together our top 50 christian contemplative books a not recommended reading list. Thus, protestant theology developed a strong critical attitude, oftentimes even an animosity towards christian mysticism. May 23, 2016 this book introduces students to christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it.
Christianity christianity stages of christian mysticism. Practical mysticism ebook christian book distributors. The cambridge companion to christian mysticism edited by amy. Christian mysticism by louise nelstrop 9780754669906. In christian mysticism there have been many influential women saints, including some who challenged the patriarchal attitudes of men and one who became a great military leader st. Biblical christianity focuses on knowing god through his word the bible and communion with the holy spirit through prayer. Maintaining this balance is one of the great challenges and dangers of christian mysticism. Contemporary theological explorations in mysticism. It then reflects on how modern critics have understood each of them, demonstrating that stark delineation between the different theoretical approaches eventually collapses under the weight of the complex interaction between experience and knowledge that lies at the heart of christian mysticism. Find books christian mysticism and spirituality research.
The big book of christian mysticism does just that. Christianity has a rich tradition of mystical theology that first emerged in. The essential writings of christian mysticism modern library. During the early modern period, the definition of mysticism grew to include a broad range of beliefs and ideologies related to extraordinary experiences and states of mind.