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This book explores the life and teaching of John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic who remains a major source of Western thought on spirituality, theology and mysticism. Leading academics discuss the importance and legacy of John from historical, theological, philosophical, pastoral, ecumenical, psychological and literary perspectives. The book focuses on his place in Carmel, his understanding of desire, and the role of transformation in his theology. Approaching John in the context of the late medieval mystical tradition, it offers a timely re-evaluation of his work and a significant reassessment of his relevance in the context of current debates.
List of contents
Part 1 John of the Cross: Carmel, Context and Canonization 1. John of the Cross and Carmel: Hermit and Mendicant 2. How John of the Cross Gained and Lost Mystical Authority .3 John of the Cross: The Long Road to Sainthood 4. John of the Cross and the Carmelite Nuns: Reciprocity and Communion Part 2 John of the Cross: Love, Desire, and Transformation 5. '¡Amada en el Amado Transformada!': John of the Cross on Transformation 6. Perfect Love, Described: Exploring the Significance of Love for John of the Cross 7. The Lovers' Gaze as a Symbol of the Mystical Journey in the Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross 8. The Unfathomed Embrace: The Language of Abyss in John of the Cross 9. Transformation in John of the Cross: What Deep Innate Human and Spiritual Ground Is Being Transformed in Each of the Dark Nights? 10. The Ascent of Mount Carmel as a Way of Transformation 11. 'Thou Art Changed to Be Cruel Toward Me' (Job 30.21): John of the Cross on Job Part 3 John of the Cross in Dialogue 12. The Influence of Thomas Aquinas on John of the Cross 13. Desire and the Transformation of Suffering in John of the Cross and Catherine of Siena 14. Desire for God and Its Realisation: Henri de Lubac in Dialogue with John of the Cross 15. Edith Stein and John of the Cross on the Dark Night: Changing the Aspect of the Soul 16. John of the Cross and Emmanuel Lévinas: The Quest for God beyond Being 17. Jacques Lacan, Jean Baruzi and John of the Cross: The Problem of Modern Experientialism and the Dark Night of COVID Part 4 John of the Cross for Today 18. The Dark Night in Psychiatry 19. Directing Desire: Diagnosing Acedia and Dark Night in Spiritual Direction 20. A Transformative View of Christian Suffering: John of the Cross' Interpretation and Analysis of Mark 8:34-35 21. Recontextualising St John: Constance FitzGerald's Concept of Impasse and Its Appropriation in Contemporary Spirituality
About the author
Edward Howells is Assistant Tutor in Christian Spirituality at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford.
Peter Tyler is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spirituality and Director of the Centre for Initiatives in Spirituality and Reconciliation (www.stmarys.ac.uk/inspire) at St Mary’s University, London.
Summary
This book explores the life and teaching of John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic who remains a major source of Western thought on spirituality, theology and mysticism.
