The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to DenysScholars of the patristic era have paid more attention to the dogmatic tradition in their period than to the development of Christian mystical theology. Andrew Louth aims to redress the balance. 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. 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 moulds and is the reflection of mystical insights and concerns. 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. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - LudieGrace - LibraryThingThe early chapters on Platonism were helpful (and throughout, he does a good job of showing where the Christian tradition departs--often sharply!--from inherited Platonist ideas). The 2006 epilogue is worth a careful read as well. Read full review
Contents
| ii | |
IIIPlotinus | iii |
IVOrigen | iv |
VNicene Orthodoxy | v |
VIThe Monastic Contribution | vi |
EVAGRIUS OF PONTUS | vi |
VIIAugustine | vii |
Other editions - View all
The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys Andrew Louth Limited preview - 2007 |
The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys Andrew Louth Limited preview - 1983 |
The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys Andrew Louth No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
apatheia apophatic apophatic theology Athanasius attained Augustine Augustine’s baptism beauty becomes behold body cataphatic theology century chapters Christ Christian mystical Church Commentary concerned contrast creation Daniélou Dark Night demons Denys the Areopagite Diadochus Dionysios discussed Divine Darkness doctrine E. R. Dodds ecstasy edition Enneads enoptike eternal Evagrius Fathers Festugière fundamental God’s grace Greek Gregory of Nyssa Gregory’s heart heaven hierarchy Holy idea Incarnation intellectual John kinship knowledge light liturgical London Macarian Homilies Macarius man’s manifest means Messalianism mind Moses mystical theology natural contemplation neo-Platonism Origen Paris passage Patristic Patristic mysticism perfect Philo philosophy Plato Platonist Plotinus praktike prayer Proclus pure purification quest reality realm sacraments Scripture seeks seen simply Song of Songs soul soul’s ascent soul’s experience speaks spiritual senses stage theoria things Thou thought transcends translation trinity true truth understanding union unknowable virtue vision wisdom Word
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys |
| Author | Andrew Louth |
| Edition | 2 |
| Publisher | OUP Oxford, 2007 |
| ISBN | 0191608777, 9780191608773 |
| Length | 256 pages |
| Subjects | › › Literary Criticism / Ancient & Classical Literary Criticism / General Religion / Christian Church / History Religion / Christian Theology / General Religion / Christianity / General Religion / Mysticism |
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