The Cambridge Companion to Christian Mysticism

A multi-authored, interdisciplinary guide to the study of Christian mysticism, with an emphasis on the third through the seventeenth centuries.

Amy Hollywood (Edited by), Patricia Z. Beckman (Edited by)

9780521863650, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 September 2012

401 pages, 5 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.5 cm, 0.66 kg

“A brilliant array of scholars addresses the complex and varied phenomena gathered under the rubric ‘Christian mysticism.’ Both insisting that historical specificity matters and situating these ancient, medieval, and early modern texts in twenty-first- century conversations, this volume truly and profoundly demonstrates what editor Amy Hollywood asserts: the study of mysticism is indeed ‘endless.’” – Carolyn Dinshaw, New York University

The Cambridge Companion to Christian Mysticism is a multi-authored interdisciplinary guide to the study of Christian mysticism, with an emphasis on the third through the seventeenth centuries. The book is thematically organized in terms of the central contexts, practices and concepts associated with the mystical life in early, medieval and early modern Christianity. This book looks beyond the term 'mysticism', which was an early modern invention, to explore the ways in which the ancient terms 'mystic' and 'mystical' were used in the Christian tradition: what kinds of practices, modes of life and experiences were described as 'mystical'? What understanding of Christianity and of the life of Christian perfection is articulated through mystical interpretations of scripture, mystical contemplation, mystical vision, mystical theology or mystical union? This volume both provides a clear introduction to the Christian mystical life and articulates a bold new approach to the study of mysticism.

Introduction Amy Hollywood and Patricia Z. Beckman
Part I. Contexts: 1. Early monasticism Douglas Burton-Christie
2. Song, experience, and the book in Benedictine monasticism Amy Hollywood
3. New religious movements in medieval western Europe Walter Simons
4. Early modern reformations Edward Howells
Part II. Key Terms: 5. Apophatic and cataphatic theology Andrew Louth
6. Lectio divina E. Ann Matter
7. Meditatio/meditation Thomas Bestul
8. Oratio/prayer Rachel Fulton Brown
9. Visio/vision Veerle Fraeters
10. Raptus/rapture Dyan Elliott
11. Unio mystica/mystical union Bernard McGinn
12. Actio et contemplatio/action and contemplation Charlotte Radler
Part III. Contemporary Questions: 13. Latin and the vernaculars Barbara Newman
14. Transmission Sara S. Poor
15. Writing Charles M. Stang
16. The body and its senses Patricia Dailey
17. Mysticism and visuality Jeffrey Hamburger
18. Emotions Fiona Somerset
19. Authority Mary Frohlich
20. Gender Alison Weber
21. Sexuality Constance Furey
22. Time and memory Patricia Dailey.

Subject Areas: Christian spirituality & religious experience [HRCS], Christianity [HRC], Religion: general [HRA], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]