Skip to product information
1 of 1

Click to look inside

The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism by Bernard Mcginn

Regular price
Checking stock...
Regular price
Checking stock...
World of Books

At World of Books, you’ll find millions of preloved reads at great prices, from bestsellers to hidden gems. Every book you buy saves money and helps reduce waste, so you can read more for less while giving stories a second life.

The feel-good place to buy books
  • Free US shipping over $15
  • Buying preloved emits 41% less CO2 than new
  • Millions of affordable books
  • Give your books a new home - sell them back to us!

The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism by Bernard Mcginn

This clear and comprehensive anthology, culled from the vast corpus of Christian mystical literature by the renowned theologian and historian Bernard McGinn, presents nearly one hundred selections, from the writings of Origen of Alexandria in the third century to the work of twentieth-century mystics such as Thomas Merton.

Uniquely organized by subject rather than by author, The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism explores how human life is transformed through the search for direct contact with God. Part one examines the preparation for encountering God through biblical interpretation and prayer; the second part focuses on the mystics' actual encounters with God; and part three addresses the implications of the mystical life, showing how mystics have been received over time, and how they practice their faith through private contemplation and public actions.

In addition to his illuminating Introduction, Bernard McGinn provides accessible headnotes for each section, as well as numerous biographical sketches and a selected bibliography.

Praise for The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism
No one is better equipped than Bernard McGinn to provide a thorough and balanced guide to this vast literature....This is an anthology which deserves to be read not only by those who study Christian history and theology, but by believers who long to deepen their own lives of prayer and service. -- Anglican Theological Review

Bernard McGinn, a preeminent historian and interpreter of the Christian mystical tradition, has edited this fine collection of mystical writings, organizing them thematically....McGinn offers helpful introductions to each thematic section, author and entry, as well as a brief critical bibliography on mysticism. Published in the Modern Library Classic series, this is a great value. - Christian Century

No-one is better equipped than Professor McGinn to provide a thorough and balanced guide to this vast literature. A first-class selection, by a first-class scholar. -- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

This accessible anthology by the scholarly world's leading historian of the Western Christian mystical tradition easily outstrips all others in its comprehensiveness, the aptness of its selection of texts, and in the intelligent manner of its organization. -- Denys Turner, Horace Tracy Pitkin Professor of Historical Theology, Yale Divinity School

An immensely rich anthology, assembled and introduced by our foremost student of mysticism. Both the scholar and the disciple will find God's plenty here. -- Barbara Newman, Professor of English, Religion, and Classics, John Evans Professor of Latin, Northwestern University

An unusually clear and insightful exposition of major texts selected by one of the greatest scholars in the field of Christian mysticism, based on his vast erudition and uniquely sensitive interpretation. Like his other books, this one too is destined to become a classic. -- Professor Moshe Idel, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780812974218
ISBN 10 0812974212
Title The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism
Author Bernard Mcginn
Series Modern Library Classics
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Random House USA Inc
Year published 2006-12-12
Number of pages 592
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.