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The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism (Modern Library Classics)
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Average Rating:  out of 4 Reviews
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Price: $19.95
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Sale: $11.13
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Manufacturer: Modern Library
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780812974218
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: Bernard Mcginn
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Publisher: Modern Library
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Dewey Decimal Number: 248.22
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Publication Date: 2006-12-12
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Reading Level: 592
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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 the Christian 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.” -- Professor Moshe Idel, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: A Very Good Anthology |
Date: 2008-10-19 |
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Details: Very well put together, this book is unique because it arranges the texts by theme rather than chronologically as in most anthologies of Christian mysticism. The depth of the book will really help to reader to become familiar with both the themes and authors of the Christian mystical tradition.
I must add that the notion that Christian mystics teach a unity of all religions and that Christ and the Trinity are just symbols of a deeper reality is an interpretive paradigm of modern scholars that is not reflected in the writings the Christian mystics themselves. They were simply devote Christians who experienced God in a deep and meaningful way. |
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Review Summary: A good introduction to Christian Mysticism |
Date: 2008-09-03 |
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Details: This is a good introductory text regarding Christian Mysticism. The author is quite knowledgeable and the text is well-edited. This material provides a solid base from which the reader may expand his/her knowledge of the subject matter and put subsequent readings in context. |
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Review Summary: Unity Among Religions! |
Date: 2008-07-02 |
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Details: This book is a fabulous peek into 'Christian Mysticism'. It is inclusive, not divisive. It is 'Christian' mysticism in as much as humanity tailors garments to clothe Truth. For, as humans, we must shape it, if we are to share it. We must make language. Every idea comes through voice. Every picture, form. And despite this limit we place on the limitless, which diminishes it within comprehensibility, flashes of Eternity remain.
Here find vital excepts of writings by Meister Eckart, Nicolas of Cusa, and John of the Cross (to name but three), Gnostic Christians brimming with revelation. Theirs is the symbolism of the Christ, with the tripartite God as description of the unity among all existence. To the mystic, these reflections illustrate sameness.
Together these excerpts form a golden road. Like Ariadne's thread, then, these reasonings can lead us out of the labyrinth. |
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Review Summary: YES! |
Date: 2007-12-13 |
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Details: At last! I've been teaching college courses on philosophy & mysticism for years, and I've always been frustrated by the absence of a good anthology of Christian mysticism. So I've either had to order armfuls of primary texts or settle for mediocre anthologies. But Bernard McGinn, who knows more about Christian mysticism than anyone else, has saved me (and others!). This wonderful collection of Christian mysticism is logically arranged, judiciously selected, and expertly commented on. How wonderful!
Selections are from ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary mystics, and from western as well as orthodox traditions. Fathers of the Desert, the Beguines, Simone Weil, Thomas Merton, Hugh of St. Victor, Symeon, Macarius, Eckhart, John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux: these and many other Christian mystics are excerpted in sections that cover topics such as Biblical Interpretation, Asceticism and Purgation, Inner and Outer Practices, Trinity, Christ, Vision, Deification, and Love and Knowledge. McGinn even concludes with a section that focuses on the social/moral relevance of Christian mysticism, which would be nicely complemented by a reading of Dorothee Soelle's The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance.
McGinn's book is bound to be the definitive collection for years to come. Highly, highly recommended--and highly welcome. |
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