In this masterful historical survey, theologian John Macquarrie demonstrates how Christians, especially the great mystics, have experienced at their own "radiant core" the love and presence of God. The word mysticism evokes ecstatic visions, asceticism, and esoteric teaching. Yet, the author maintains, mystics are better thought of as people who exhibit common human curiosity, long to explore religious mystery, and ultimately find a deep personal relationship with God. Macquarrie discusses in detail the ten common traits of mysticism before tracing two millennia of Christian mysticism. He mainly allows the mystics to speak for themselves, but he is also particularly insightful about the greatest individuals of the tradition - from Paul to the patristic Platonists to the classic medieval mystics to a host of twentieth-century exemplars.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
John Macquarrie has been for a generation the leading Anglican theologian and an important interpreter of modern religious and philosophical thought. Among his works are Christology Revisited (2003), Invitation to Faith (1995), and Jesus Christ in Modern Thought (1991).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid introduction to Christian mysticism,
By Greg (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Two Worlds Are Ours: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Paperback)
This short work by McQuarrie gives the theology or religious studies student a decent introduction to Christian mysticism and mystics. While not approaching the depth or McGinn's magesterial works on the subject, McQuarrie gives a very good summary of the major mystics of importance from the Christian tradition, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. McQuarrie is also critical at times of some mystics and their ideas (and his criticisms are generally right from the viewpoint of theology) however he does not dismiss any mystic without considering their thought carefully, in contrast to some who dismiss it out of hand.
6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
MacQuarrie not a Mystic,
By Naas Ferreira (ELSPARK, GAUTENG South Africa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Two Worlds Are Ours: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Paperback)
The fact that MacQuarrie informs the reader in his Introduction that he isn't a mystic and doesn't aspire to be one is a serious flaw of the book. He can never overcome his lack of union (enlightenment) with God in his analysis of the mystics and mysticism. His criticism of the mystics comes from his mythical consciousness without acknowledging the higher spiritual levels of the mystics. Sometimes MacQuarrie himself becomes the focus of the book, like when he discusses contemporary Merton as a mystic.
Readers interested in understanding Christian mysticism and developing their own consciousness would do much better if they study Dorothee Soelle's "Silent Cry".
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Mysticism - the very word invites our attention. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, George Fox, New Testament, Catherine of Siena, Old Testament, William Law, John of the Cross, John of Damascus, Catherine of Genoa, John Keble, Teresa of Avila, Charles de Foucauld, Meister Eckhart, Teilhard de Chardin, John Woolman, Richard of St Victor, Blaise Pascal, Holy Spirit, Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregory of Nyssa, Jonathan Edwards, Clement of Alexandria, Song of Songs, Ignatius Loyola, John Eriugena New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Mysticism - the very word invites our attention. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, George Fox, New Testament, Catherine of Siena, Old Testament, William Law, John of the Cross, John of Damascus, Catherine of Genoa, John Keble, Teresa of Avila, Charles de Foucauld, Meister Eckhart, Teilhard de Chardin, John Woolman, Richard of St Victor, Blaise Pascal, Holy Spirit, Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregory of Nyssa, Jonathan Edwards, Clement of Alexandria, Song of Songs, Ignatius Loyola, John Eriugena New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 98
books:
See all 98 books this book cites
- The Christian Year by Rev. John Keble on page 31, page 219, and Back Matter
- Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila on page 167, page 168, and Back Matter
- The Oxford Movement by R.W. Church on page 218, page 223, and Back Matter
- Christian Mysticism by William R. Inge on page 107, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Time and Free Will: An Essay on the Immediate Data of Consciousness by Henri Bergson on page 235, and Back Matter
See all 98 books this book cites
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