The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology

This handbook presents a theological approach to Christian mysticism, distinguishing itself from psychological, anthropological, historical, or literary studies. It examines mystical writings from within their own theological interests, aiming to articulate these in distinctively theological forms and permit critical engagement today. The work is divided into four parts: an introduction to mystical theology with a historical overview; the concrete context of sources and practices; fundamental conceptualities of mystical thought; and central contributions to theology and metaphysics. It offers multiple pathways for students and scholars with varied interests.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This collection provides a guide to the mystical element of Christianity as a theological phenomenon. It differs not only from psychological and anthropological studies of mysticism, but from other theological studies, such as more practical or pastorally oriented works that examine the patterns of spiritual progress and offer counsel for deeper understanding and spiritual development. It also differs from more explicitly historical studies tracing the theological and philosophical contexts and ideas of various key figures and schools, as well as from literary studies of the linguistic tropes and expressive forms in mystical texts. None of these perspectives is absent, but the method here is more deliberately theological, working from within the fundamental interests of Christian mystical writers to the articulation of those interests in distinctively theological forms, in order, finally, to permit a critical theological engagement with them for today. Divided into four parts, the first section introduces the approach to mystical theology and offers a historical overview. Part II attends to the concrete context of sources and practices of mystical theology. Part III moves to the fundamental conceptualities of mystical thought. The final section presents the central contributions of mystical teaching to theology and metaphysics. Students and scholars with a variety of interests will find different pathways through the Handbook.