MA Christian Mysticism Seminar Series Specification

 

Title	Christian Mysticism
Brief Description	This course will take a selective historical, thematic and critical look at the Christian mystical tradition
Detailed Description	Historical: a direct engagement through primary literature   Thematic: a consideration of important theological and mystical themes arising both from primary and secondary literature, e.g. Christology, Trinity, Detachment, Prayer   Critical: the problem of reading Christian mystics from a post-critical/ post-Enlightenment perspective primarily by a consideration of recent scholars of mysticism
Aims	To introduce students to the Christian mystical tradition by consideration of primary texts and thematic concerns. To consider ways in which reading Christian mysticism has changed and continues to change.
Number of Weeks	10
Weekly Schedule	TBA
Pre-requisites	An interest in or concern for Christian theology or Christian mysticism.
Requirements	Although students are welcome to join the course whether or not they decide to write an essay on Christian Mysticism, all students will be asked to give the following: A short book review (500-750 words) A short presentation (10-20 minutes) on a major figure within Christian mysticism
Bibliographies	The following lists of recommended reading do not include primary texts (beyond selections within anthologies).   Basic/Introductory Texts (Short general introductions to the field)   Dupré and Wiseman, ‘General Introduction’, in Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism Dupré, The Deeper Life: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism Bouyer, ‘Mysticism…’ in Woods, (Ed.) Understanding Mysticism McGinn, ‘General Introduction’, in The Foundations of Mysticism: Vol 1 of The Presence of God: A History of Western Mysticism     Core Texts (Fundamental texts for the course)   Dupré and Wiseman, Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism Denys Turner, The Darkness of God Bernard McGinn, The Presence of God Series     Bibliography (Further reading for the course. Of course there is a wealth of further reading available. Below is a selection. Those texts followed by a (1) are introductory in nature though can be useful in providing an orientation to the field.)   Louis Dupré, The Deeper Life: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (1) Maquarrie, Two Worlds are Ours (1) Ursula King, Christian Mystics (1) McGrath, Christian Spirituality (1 – contains helpful sections on further reading) Mark McIntosh, Mystical Theology Louis Dupré, Rational Reflection and Religious Mystery Louis Dupré, Passage to Modernity Denys Turner and Oliver Davies (Eds.), Silence and the Word Grace Jantzen, Power, Gender and Christian Mysticism Michael Sells, Mystical Languages of Unsaying Nicholas Lash, Easter in Ordinary Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church Josef Pieper, Living the Truth Rowan Williams, The Wound of Knowledge: Christian Spirituality from the New Testament to St.John of the Cross Rowan Williams, Teresa of Avila Iain Matthew, The Impact of God William Johnston, Christian Mysticism Today Cohn-Sherbok, Jewish and Christian Mysticism McGinn and Meyendorff (Eds.), Christian Spirituality Vol. I: Origins to the Twelfth Century Raitt (Ed.), Christian Spirituality Vol. II: High Middle Ages and Reformation Dupré and Saliers (Eds.), Christian Spirituality: Post-Reformation and Modern Woods, Understanding Mysticism Underhill, Mysticism Bouyer, A History of Christian Spirituality, 3 Vols.