Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead (Classics of Western Spirituality) [Paperback]

Mechtild of Magdeburg (Author), Frank Tobin (Translator, Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent English translation...one can only congratulate Professor Tobin to a very trustworthy, responsible, and yes, inspired, accomplishment. -- Mystics Quarterly

Glimpses of Mechthild's tone and style survive and are a tribute to the translator....remarkably readable. -- Anglican Theological Review

In Frank Tobin the editors scored a winner. A clear, well-ordered translation...is a real treat.... -- The Catholic Weekly (Australia)

It is a valuable addition to any college level or higher theological library. -- Catholic Library World

Splendid new translation. -- The American Benedictine Review

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Pr (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809137763
• ISBN-13: 978-0809137763
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Mechthild anyway, July 10, 2003

By 

"bkfeilfish" (Helena, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

I was first introduced to Mechthild in a course of Women Mystics and resonated with her immediately. Her writing style is such that either you like her or you can't relate. She says at the beginning of the book that you need to read it nine times to understand it. I plan to do just that because I like reading her words just that much. Read the pages online before you put out the cash for this book but if you find that you can relate you won't be sorry for adding her to your library.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beguine Mystic of Love, November 16, 2006

By 

Greg (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

Metchild of Magdeburg was a beguine, a member of a lay group of women who in the medieval period desired a closer relationship with God than through the Church.

The beguines produced many famous male and female mystics, especially female mystics. This was possibly because beguines were more loosely associated with the established church and had more freedom to express their mystical ideas.

Metchild is a mystic of love, in the sense her mystical experiences were strongly focused around the intimate union of the soul with Jesus. Metchild describes several estatic experiences of this union in poems and other writing, as well as the stages leading to this state of conciousness. At times the language seems erotic, though Metchild never degrades the mystical union to mere pornography. She is clearly a literature woman, and like other mystics of loving union, often borrows motifs from the secular literature of the time.

Metchild is somewhat more careful in her use of language than the burned heretic, Margaret Porete. While perhaps the theologically orthodox still might have many misgivings about the possibility of uniting with God mystically, I feel with Metchild we are on fairly safe ground, and anyone interested in Christian spirituality can learn from her. She is also a valuable female voice in a tradition in the Church which like so many others, has historically been mainly the domain of men. Women will find it refreshing the female perspective on mysticism is given quite well in Porete.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transcends even current technology of movie making, March 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead Translated and Introduced (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Hardcover)

The images Mechthild presents to the reader in wtritten words took my mind,heart and imagination to such beautiful spiritual hieghts, that I am still savoring the richness her revelations has brought to my soul. RRead at your liesure and absorb in contentment and spiritual pleasure....... Father Gregory Martin, Spiritual Director of the Holy Order of the Holy Ghost.