An Introduction to Christian Mysticism: Recovering the Wildness of Spiritual Life

by Jason M. Baxter

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2021

Overview

This brief, accessibly written volume introduces key figures, texts, and themes of the mystical tradition and shows how and why the mystics can speak to the church today. Jason Baxter, an expert educator and storyteller, explains that the mystical tradition offers a more robust understanding of God than our current shallow conceptions. Featuring engagement with primary sources and suitable for use in a variety of courses, this book argues that the mystics have much to say to contemporary Christians searching for authentic modes of spirituality.

Key Features

• Introduces key figures, texts, and themes of the mystical tradition
• Shows how and why the mystics can speak to the church today
• Explains that the mystical tradition offers a more robust understanding of God than our current shallow conceptions

Contents

Top Highlights

“the immanent frame.’ By that term he means the social and psychological conditions in” (Page 12)

“In scriptural encounters with God, the human beholders are inevitably stupefied, overwhelmed, or overawed by how much the divine beauty, power, and glory exceeds their previous expectations.” (Pages 6–7)

“it was seen as the lifeblood of prayer and adoration of God in the soul” (Page 3)

“These scriptural narratives are profoundly moving, almost disturbing. The God who made the world cannot be contained within it. If you try to look at God from within the world, so to speak, you’re limiting what you can see.” (Page 7)

“The combination of these two traditions (Greek and scriptural) created a desire and a strategy to be someone ‘from whom God hides nothing.’” (Page 8)

Product Details

• Title: An Introduction to Christian Mysticism: Recovering the Wildness of Spiritual Life
• Author: Jason M. Baxter
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 192
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subject: Mysticism
• ISBNs: 9781493429103, 9781540961228, 9781540964397, 9781493429080, 1493429108, 1540961222, 1540964396, 1493429086
• Resource ID: LLS:INNTRDCTNSPRTLLF
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:43:42Z

About Jason M. Baxter

Jason M. Baxter (PhD, University of Notre Dame), an expert in medieval Catholic thought, is associate professor of fine arts and humanities at Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, where he worked with the Distance Learning Program to produce an eighteen-part introduction to the Divine Comedy. He also codirected the college's Rome Immersion Experience, designed to introduce students to the highlights of Roman art, architecture, history, and culture. He speaks at universities across the country and has written several books, including A Beginner's Guide to Dante's "Divine Comedy."