The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.66 (557 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0198266685 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 232 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-05-19 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Andrew Louth is Professor of Patristic and Byzantine Studies, University of Durham.
In his final two chapters he looks at the relationship between the mysticism of the early church fathers and that of St. Focusing on the early centuries of the faith, Louth first explores the influence of Plato and Platonism on Christian writers, and then devotes individual chapters to key theologians: Athanasius and Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and Denys the Areopagite, also known as Pseudo-Dionysius. John of the Cross, perhaps the most influential mystic in the history of the church, and he explores the distinctive character of Christian mysticism. While challenging reading, Louth is a clear and straightforward thinker and writer. One reviewer of this book wrote, "it is not often that we chance to meet with a book so rich that it would be impossible to discuss it in full without writing another one at least as long." Originally given as a series of lectures in the Faculty of Theology at the Oxford University, The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition i
This new edition of a classic study of the diverse influences upon Christian spirituality includes a new Epilogue which brings the text completely up to date.. Scholars of the patristic era have paid more attention to the dogmatic tradition in their period than to the development of Christian mystical theology. The discussion of the Fathers which follows shows how the mystical tradition is at the heart of their thought and how the dogmatic tradition both molds and is the reflection of mystical insights and concerns. Recognizing that the intellectual form of this tradition was decisively influenced by Platonic ideas of the soul's relationship to God, Louth begins with an examination of Plato and Platonism. Andrew Louth aims to redress the balance
Useful distinctions Fr. Louth dicusses the origins of Christian theology, especially the "mystical" theology. He doesn't limit himself to the Latin West, thankfully, but rather embraces the Eastern perspective as well. He works through Plato, Philo, Plotinus, Origen, Nicene Orthodoxy (Athanasius and Gregory of Nyssa), the monastic contribution (Evagrius of Pontus, the Marcian homilies, and Diadochus of Photice), Augustine (of course), Denys the Areopagite, Patristic Mysticism and John of the Cross (divine darkness and the Dark Night), the mystical life and the mystic. Christian Mysticism Andrew Louth's should be read by everyone with an interest in the Christian mystical tradition. Louth is not only a brilliant scholar and professor of theology, he is himself also an Orthodox Christian. In this book he gives a brilliant exposition of central parts of the Christian mystical tradition. Many Christian thinkers have been Platonists. Its is thus interesting that Louth starts his book with Plato. He then goes on to covering Philo and Plotinus. Then the Christian mystics are presented. Origen and his contemplative, cognitivist mysticism . Eric Hutchins said An interesting read that could have been more inviting. After several decades of reverence for Jesus, practice of a traditional Vedic technique for union with the Indwelling Spirit of God ("contemplation" according to Christian mystics), and reading Vedic scripture like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, and Yoga Sutras, I was moved to know more about Christian "Mysticism." I was fortunate enough to be lead to Mr. Louth's book and found it interesting, comprehensive, and reasonably accessible. Thanks to this book, I have been drawn to the works of Plotinus, Neo-Platonism in general, and F. Staal's book