Christian Mysticism and Incarnational Theology ― Between Transcendence and Immanence

This book examines the relationship between transcendence and immanence within Christian mystical and apophatic writings. Original essays from a range of leading, established, and emerging scholars in the field focus on the roles of language, signs, and images, and consider how mystical theology might contribute to contemporary reflection on the Word incarnate. This collection of essays re-examines works from such canonical figures as Eckhart, Augustine, Plotinus, Pseudo-Dionysius, Nicolas of Cusa, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, along with the philosophical thought of Iris Murdoch, Jacques Lacan, and Martin Heidegger, and the contemporary phenomena of the Emerging Church. Presenting new readings of key ideas in mystical theology, and renewed engagement with the visionary and the everyday, the therapeutic and the transformative, these essays question how we might think about what may lie between transcendence and immanence.

Louise Nelstrop is a Lecturer in Christian Spirituality and Director of Spirituality Programmes in Sarum College Salisbury. Her research interests include the English Mystics, Theoretical and Philosophical approaches to Mysticism, Cistercian and Victorine Spirituality and the Emerging Church. Her recently publications include Christian Mysticism: An Introduction to Contemporary Theoretical Approaches and Evaluating Fresh Expressions: Explorations in Emerging Church with Martin Percy (eds). Simon D. Podmore is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Liverpool Hope University. His research interests are in the areas of SA﹐ren Kierkegaard; Martin Luther; Jewish and Christian Mysticism; the Numinous and religious experience; sin and forgiveness; and the interface of theology, philosophy, psychotherapy and pastoral care. His recent publications include Kierkegaard & the Self Before God: Anatomy of the Abyss and Struggling With God: A Theology of Spiritual Trial (forthcoming).