An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Classic Reprint)

Eleanor C. Gregory

ISBN 10: 0259284602 / ISBN 13: 9780259284604

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. Christian mysticism is the pursuit of religious union with God through contemplation and the intention to live a divine life. This book is a collection of essays and extracts from key Christian mystics that illustrate and explore this subject. Beginning with Plato, the author traces the evolution of Christian mysticism through major figures such as Origen, Plotinus, and Dionysius the Areopagite. She also includes writings by Meister Eckhart, the German mystics, and the Spanish mystics, such as St John of the Cross and St Theresa. The book explores how the mystics perceived and approached their relationship with God and issues like self-denial and the importance of prayer and contemplation. The author also considers the challenges associated with mysticism and how it has been viewed with suspicion by the established church. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9780259284604_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0259284602
• ISBN 13: 9780259284604
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Spiritual

About this title

Synopsis

An accessible introduction to Christian mysticism that reveals its history, paths, and daily relevance.

This concise study surveys the idea of mysticism in Christian thought, outlining what it has meant to different thinkers and practitioners. It frames mysticism as a pursuit of growing union with God through a process of purification, illumination, and ultimately union, while acknowledging the doubts and misgivings people often bring to the subject. The book uses historical examples to illuminate how mystics have approached deep spiritual experience and daily faith.

Readers are guided through key figures and strands—from devotional writers to the mystics who shaped medieval and early modern spirituality—without assuming prior specialized knowledge. The work emphasizes practical implications for prayer, self-surrender, and service, offering a framework for study and personal reflection that remains faithful to Christian tradition.

• Clear, level-headed overview of what mysticism has meant across different voices and eras.
• Explanations of core ideas like purification, illumination, and union, with accessible examples.
• Portraits of notable mystics and movements to contextualize your reading.
• Guidance on reading and reflecting thoughtfully, without heavy jargon.

Ideal for readers beginning a study of Christian mysticism or seeking a grounded introduction to its history and practice.

"The unknown author speaks to readers who want a reliable, respectful entry into a wide and often contested topic."

SMART NOTE: This description uses information deduced from the provided metadata and sample content, focusing on the book’s role as an introduction and its historical, practical framing, without venturing beyond stated scope.