Bernard of clairvaux and mysticism by stephen nichols. Tarjei park, the english mystics, spck, 1998, isbn 0281051100. His knowledge of the christian mystics is in depth and extensive he has for example written a monograph on eckhart and this series represents an excellent introduction as well as a scholarly study of christian mysticism, its forms, its. In melbourne he gave a lecture entitled the contemplative in action, then two days later a workshop at the library. 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. Bernard mcginn, a professor of divinity, is probably the best scholar on christian mysticism around today. Christian mysticism is unique among the courses taught by thomas merton during his term as novice master at the abbey of gethsemani 19551965 in that it was not intended for or. Semantic scholar profile for bernard mcginn, with 6 highly influential citations and 119 scientific research papers.
This is mcginns holy wisdom lecture given february 11, 2007. Briefly, i want to sketch how mystics accounts of inner experience of god in itself an abstraction become. Mystics describe their experience in various waysas. Dec 12, 2006 bernard mcginn, the naomi shenstone donnelley professor emeritus at the university of chicago divinity school, is widely regarded as the preeminent scholar of mysticism in the western christian tradition. The essential writings of christian mysticism modern library. Nov 05, 2011 bernard mcginn reflects on mystical language in meister eckhart a lecture in honor of john connolly. Bernard mcginn author of the essential writings of christian. Bernard mcginn on the nothingness of god in jewish and. Gregory the great through the 12 century bernard mcginn download bok.
The language of inner experience in christian mysticism. Gregory the great through the 12th century, 1994, paperback ed. A history of western christian mysticismbernard mcginn, vol 3 issue 3 of presence of god, bernard mcginn volume 3 of the presence of god. One exception to evans otherwise insightful claim might be bernards mysticism. Spirituality of the middle ages creighton university.
The foundations of mysticism 9780824514044 by bernard mcginn. A comparative investigation into the divine imagery in the texts the flowing light of the godhead and saundaryalahari. The venture of mysticism in the new millennium semantic scholar. More than 25 years in the making, this magisterial volume uncovers the riches of one of the greatest periods of mystical wisdom in christian history. The naomi shenstone donnelly professor emeritus of historical theology and history of christianity at the university of chicago, mcginn holds a ph. As oconnell notes, merton, thanks to his linguistic skills. Foreword by bernard mcginn preface to volume 1 1979 preface to volume 2 1979 preface to volume 3 1987 select bibliography abbreviations part one sermons introduction to part one sermon one pf 1, q 101, qt 57 sermon two pf 2, q 102, qt 58 sermon three pf 3, q 104 sermon four pf 4, q 103, qt 59 sermon five pf 5, q 65. The book is thematically organized in terms of the central contexts, practices and concepts associated with the mystical life in early, medieval and. For more on this sermon treatise, see bernard mcginn. Bernard mcginn defines christian mysticism as a form of spirituality that concerns the preparation for, the consciousness of, and the reaction tothe immediate or direct presence of god. Initiation into the monastic tradition 3 thomas merton. Jun 15, 2017 professor bernard mcginn, naomi shenstone donnelley professor emeritus of historical theology and of the history of christianity in the divinity school, chicago university, discusses the idea of. Bernard mcginn born 1937 is an american roman catholic theologian, religious historian, and scholar of spirituality. Bernard mcginn is one is of the greatest living authorities on catholic historical theology.
Drawn from the monastic tradition francis kline, ocso mw an introduction to christian mysticism. Conversation on mysticism with bernard mcginn mystique et. Bernard mcginn reflects on mystical language in meister eckhart a lecture in honor of john connolly. The psychology of spiritual development valley, ny. A specialist in medieval mysticism, mcginn is widely regarded as the preeminent scholar of mysticism in the western christian tradition.
Therefore some old writers referred to the trash or poison of mysticism and others spoke of its vagueness or crude. Let him kiss me with the kisses of the rnouth, for your breasts are better than wine. The harvest of mysticism in medieval germany bernard mcginn download bok. Mcginn singles out the year 1200 as one of particular importance in the development of what he calls the new mysticism. This is the best available account of the symbolical crucible from which christian mysticism sprang.
In this first volume of the highlyacclaimed presence of god series, bernard mcginn explores the origins of christian mysticism, from early jewish apocalypti. He has also written extensively on jewish mysticism, the history of apocalyptic thought, and medieval christianity. In addition to his illuminating introduction, bernard mcginn provides accessible head notes for each section, as well as numerous biographical sketches and a selected bibliography. Bernard also advocated for the second crusade and preached rather stirring sermons promoting it.
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. 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. Men and women in the new mysticism 120050 a crossroad herder book presence of god. The harvest of mysticism in medieval germany bernard mcginn. The cambridge companion to christian mysticism edited by amy.
Origins to the fifth century, 1991, reprint 1994, isbn 0824514041. See also benedict groeschel 1984 spiritual passages. Whenever and wherever mysticism has been divorced from all institutional expression, evelyn underhill once observed, it tends to become strange, vague, or merely sentimental. This is a fantastic reference book for those seriously interested in christian mysticism. The essential writings of christian mysticism bookshare. See also bernard mcginn 2006 the essential writings of christian mysticism new york. Mcginn is a former president of the medieval academy of america and has written extensively on medieval theology, especially on the history of. He is best known for his comprehensive series on mysticism, the presence of god. Download mysticism ebook free in pdf and epub format. The essential writings of christian mysticism by bernard. Bernard mcginn published 2007 t his opening verse from the song of songs, with its enigmatic address who is speaking to whom. The present book is the third volume of a projected fivevolume work treating the history of western christian mysticism. May 05, 2015 professor bernard mcginn and his wife patricia mcginn visited australia in april and may as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the birth of saint teresa of avila.
The essential writings of christian mysticism by bernard mcginn, 9780812974218, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Professor bernard mcginn and his wife patricia mcginn visited australia in april and may as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the birth of saint teresa of avila. Following professor mcginns work, we will explore mysticism in its historical and contemporary contexts alongside of current issues facing the church. A history of western mysticism, 4 volumes to date new york. Pdf the essential writings of christian mysticism download. 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. About the essential writings of christian mysticism. Professor bernard mcginn, naomi shenstone donnelley professor emeritus of historical theology and of the history of christianity in the divinity school, chicago university, discusses the idea of. Uniquely organized by subject rather than by author, the essential. Mar 12, 2020 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. Sophia smith professor of philosophy smith college, northampton, ma. Bernard mcginn is the naomi shenstone donnelley professor emeritus at the divinity school of the university of chicago, where he taught for thirtyfour years before retiring in 2003.
Legacies throughout the ages, bernard mcginn and patricia ferris mcginns. 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 walkerbynum. Mysticism and sexuality by bernard mcginn let him kiss me with the kisses of the rnouth, for your breasts are better than wine. He has also written extensively on jewish mysticism, the history of. Bernard mcginn, the naomi shenstone donnelley professor emeritus at the university of chicago divinity school, is widely regarded as the preeminent scholar of mysticism in the western christian tradition. The divine visions of the spiritual masters, and louis. This conference celebrates the achievements of professor bernard mcginn and his seminal contribution to the study of mysticism. Four volumes are relevant to the study of medieval mysticism. The essential writings of christian mysticism by bernard mcginn.
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. A spiritual biography elizabeth connor, ocso mw11 the way of humility andre louf, ocso mw12 four ways of holiness for the universal church. Sophia smith professor of philosophy smith college, northampton, ma, october 20, 2011. Description of the book essential writings of christian mysticism. A history of western christian mysticism, bernard mcginn. Oct 12, 2018 this conference celebrates the achievements of professor bernard mcginn and his seminal contribution to the study of mysticism.
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