Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism

Name: Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism
Price: 8.96 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780812974218

ISBN-10: 0812974212

ISBN-13: 9780812974218

Edition: 2006

Authors: Bernard McGinn

List price: $20.00

30 day, 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Sell

Get cash fast!

Buy new: $14.04

Marketplace

5 new & used from $8.96

what's this?

Rush Rewards U
Members Receive:

You have reached 400 XP and carrot coins. That is the daily max!

Description:

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 twentieth-century mystics such as Thomas Merton. 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. Part one examines the preparation for encountering God through biblical interpretation and prayer; the second part focuses on the mystics' actual encounters with God; and part three… addresses the implications of the mystical life, showing how mystics have been received over time, and how they practice their faith through private contemplation and public actions. In addition to his illuminating Introduction, Bernard McGinn provides accessible headnotes for each section, as well as numerous biographical sketches and a selected bibliography. 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....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 service." -- "Anglican Theological Review" "Bernard McGinn, a preeminent historian and interpreter of theChristian mystical tradition, has edited this fine collection of mystical writings, organizing them thematically....McGinn offers helpful introductions to each thematic section, author and entry, as well as a brief critical bibliography on mysticism. Published in the Modern Library Classic series, this is a great value." - "Christian Century " "No-one is better equipped than Professor McGinn to provide a thorough and balanced guide to this vast literature. A first-class selection, by a first-class scholar." -- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury "This accessible anthology by the scholarly world's leading historian of the Western Christian mystical tradition easily outstrips all others in its comprehensiveness, the aptness of its selection of texts, and in the intelligent manner of its organization." -- Denys Turner, Horace Tracy Pitkin Professor of Historical Theology, Yale Divinity School "An immensely rich anthology, assembled and introduced by our foremost student of mysticism. Both the scholar and the disciple will find God's plenty here." -- Barbara Newman, Professor of English, Religion, and Classics, John Evans Professor of Latin, Northwestern University "An unusually clear and insightful exposition of major texts selected by one of the greatest scholars in the field of Christian mysticism, based on his vast erudition and uniquely sensitive interpretation. Like his other books, this one too is destined to become a classic." -- ProfessorMoshe Idel, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Book details

List price: $20.00
Copyright year: 2006
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication date: 12/12/2006
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 592
Size: 5.20" wide x 8.00" long x 1.20" tall
Weight: 0.880
Language: English

Bernard McGinn, Naomi Shenstone Donnelly Professor of Historical Theology and History of Christianity at the University of Chicago, is the author of many books, including Visions of the End: Apocalyptic Traditions in the Middle Ages(Columbia).



Preface


Introduction




Foundations of Mystical Practice



Biblical Interpretation


Introduction



Commentary on the Song of Songs




The Life of Moses




Sermon on Psalm 41 (Vulgate)




Sermons on the Song of Songs 23




Sermon 2




Commentary on the Song of Songs




Asceticism and Purgation


Introduction



The Life of St. Antony




Praktikos




The Life of Mary of Oignies




Purgation and Purgatory




The Ascent of Mount Carmel




Prayer, Liturgy, and Sacraments


Introduction



Prayer




Armenian Hymn No. 1




Conferences 9 and 10




The Third Ethical Discourse




Vision VII




Sermon 39




On the Four Stages of Prayer




The Way of the Pilgrim



Inner and Outer Practices


Introduction



The Philokalia, "Discourse on Abba Philimon"



Carthusian Customs




Spiritual Friendship




Letters of Spiritual Direction



The Spiritual Guide




Mystical Itineraries


Introduction



The Threefold Way



The Four Degrees of Violent Charity




The Mind's Journey into God




The Mirror of Simple Annihilated Souls




Sermon 39




The Ladder of Perfection




Aspects of Mystical Consciousness



Living the Trinity


Introduction



On the Trinity




The Mirror of Faith




The Flowing Light of the Godhead




The One Hundred and Fifty Chapters




The Living Flame of Love




Encountering Christ


Introduction



Sermons on the Song of Songs 74




Francis of Assisi and the Stigmata



The Clock of Wisdom




Revelations of Divine Love




Encounters with Christ




Love and Knowledge


Introduction



The Golden Letter




Sermons on the Song of Songs 83




The Cloud of Unknowing



Two Letters on Mystical Theology




True Christianity




Positive and Negative Ways to God


Introduction



The Mystical Theology




Two Songs of Praise




The Granum Sinapis: Poem and Commentary



English Poets on God in Nature



Hymn of the Universe




Vision, Contemplation, and Rapture


Introduction



Contemplation in the Fathers



Augustine on Vision and Rapture



Dialogues 2.35




Hymn 18




Hildegard of Bingen as Visionary and Theorist of Visions



Contemplation and Its Forms




The Fire of Love




On the Vision of God




Autobiography




Life




Excerpts from The Journal




Distress and Dereliction


Introduction



Moral Interpretation of Job




The Memorial




Sermon 3




The Dark Night of the Soul




Story of a Soul




Deification and Birthing


Introduction



Deification Among the Fathers



Birthing in Patristic and Medieval Texts



Questions to Thalassius




Sermon 101




Theologia Deutsch



Union with God


Introduction



Homily 10




On Loving God




Sermon 52




The Little Book of Enlightenment




The Interior Castle 7.1-2




The Spiritual Canticle




The Treatise on the Love of God




The Relation of 1654




Implications of the Mystical Life



Mysticism and Heresy


Introduction



Mystical Heresy in Early Christianity



The Heresy of the Free Spirit



Meister Eckhart's Condemnation



The Condemnations of Quietism



Francois Fenelon, Explication of the Maxims of the Saints Regarding the Interior Life



Contemplation and Action


Introduction



Pastoral Care 2.5




Sermons on the Song of Songs 50




Selections from Sermon 86




The Cloud of Unknowing



The Dialogue




New Seeds of Contemplation



A Brief Critical Bibliography on Christian Mysticism