Description
Book Synopsis
This book introduces students to Christian mysticism and modern critical responses to it. 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. Today Christian mysticism is increasingly recognised as an important Christian heritage relevant to today''s spiritual seekers. The book sets out to provide students and other interested readers with access to the main theoretical approaches to Christian mysticism - including those propounded by William James, Steven Katz, Bernard McGinn, Michael Sells, Denys Turner and Caroline Walker-Bynum. It also explores postmodern re-readings of Christian mysticism by authors such as Jacques Derrida, Jean-Luc Marion and Jean-FranÃois Lyotard. The book first introduces students to the main themes that underpin Christian mysticism. It then reflects on how modern critics have understood each of them, demonstrating that stark delineation between the differ
Trade Review
’Nelstop’s text is highly commendable for its navigation of a diverse range of scholars, and it serves as a helpful guide to the ever growing mound of study by describing its practical application.’ Journal of Anglican and Episcopal History ’...make[s] significant inroads in teasing out logical connections amongst interpretive theories and interpreted themes.’ SOPHIA
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction; Part I Key Themes and Motifs; Chapter 1a Platonism and Christian Mysticism; Chapter 2 Negative or Apophatic Language; Chapter 3 Selfhood and Interiority; Chapter 4 Erotic Imagery; Chapter 5 Hierarchy; Chapter 6 Symbolism and Scripture's ‘Mystical Sense’; Part II Later Developments in Christian Mysticism; Chapter 7 Female Mysticism; Chapter 8 Visionary Mysticism; Chapter 9 Imaginative Mysticism, Meditation and Experience; Chapter 10 Mysticism and Heresy; Part III Postmodern Re-Readings of Pseudo-Denys and Augustine; Chapter 11 Exploring Negative Language through Pseudo-Denys: Derrida and Marion; Chapter 12 Exploring Selfhood through Augustine: Marion, Derrida and Lyotard; Chapter 13 Conclusion;
