Christian Mysticism

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This is a graduate seminar on the spiritual and theological mystical tradition in Christianity. Focus will be on the medieval mystics, although we will begin in late antiquity and conclude with a consideration of modern trajectories. We will read the primary texts closely as we also test theories of mystical experience and read our mystics in their historical-cultural contexts. As accompaniment to the primary texts, we will consult Bernard McGinn’s magisterial multi-volume study, The Presence of God: A History of Western Christian Mysticism. This grounding in the great medieval mystical classics will provide students the background and content they need to go on to study mysticism in other sub-traditions and other eras. Advanced undergraduate students may petition Prof Lamm to register for the course (lammj@georgetown.edu). A preliminary list of the mystical authors we will be reading are: 1. Augustine of Hippo (North Africa, 4th–5th centuries), Confessions 2. Pseudo-Dionysius (Syria, 6th century), The Divine Names and Mystical Theology 3. Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century), On Loving God and Sermons on the Song of Songs 4. Hildegard of Bingen (Germany, 12th century), Scivias 5. Bonaventure (Italy & Paris, 13th century), Journey of the Mind to God 6. Hadewijch of Antwerp (Low Countries, 13th century), Visions, Letters, Poems 7. Marguerite Porete (France, 13th–14th centuries), Mirror of Simple Souls 8. Meister Eckhart (Germany, 13th–14th centuries), Sermons and Commentaries (selections) 9. Gregory Palamas (Greece, 14th century), Triads 10. Julian of Norwich (England, 14th century), Showings, or Revelation of Divine Love 11. (Spain, 16th century): Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle; St. John of the Cross, The Dark Night; Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises Requirements: close reading of assigned texts, active class participation, 3 examinations, and brief presentations.