Mysticism and the reformation: a brief survey
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Date
2015
Authors
McGinn, B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
A number of influential theologians over the past two centuries have denied that
Protestant Christianity has a place for mysticism understood as the mingling
of the divine and human natures. Today a more adequate understanding of the
mystical element of Christianity as a deeper awareness of God’s presence in the
life of believers suggests a new evaluation of the relation of Protestantism and
mysticism, beginning Martin Luther, and continuing with figures like Johann Arndt,
and a number of the “Spiritual Reformers,” such as Andreas Karlstadt, Sebastian
Franck, Valentin Weigel, as well as the theosophical Lutheran Jacob Boehme. This
essay is designed to reopen the question of the relation between Protestantism
and mysticism.
Description
Keywords
Mysticism, Mystical theology, Union with Christ
Citation
McGinn, B. (2015). Mysticism and the reformation: a brief survey. Acta Theologica, 35(2), 50-65.