Mysticism and reform, 1400-1750
Book Description
This scholarly exploration reveals a hidden dimension of spiritual history that challenges conventional understanding of mysticism's role during the tumultuous centuries of religious transformation. Rather than viewing mysticism as something that vanished with the Protestant Reformation, this collection demonstrates how mystical traditions actually survived, adapted, and flourished across both Catholic and Protestant communities.
The book traces the remarkable continuity of mystical experience from the late medieval period through the early modern era, focusing primarily on central and northern European spiritual movements. Readers discover how reformers like Luther engaged with mystical writings, how religious women in the Low Countries preserved mystical sermon traditions, and how figures such as Valentin Weigel skillfully adapted earlier mystical teachings for Lutheran audiences.
The narrative extends beyond theological boundaries to examine the visual arts, showing how mystical experiences found expression in fifteenth and sixteenth-century artwork. Personal spiritual journeys emerge through profiles of diverse mystics, including English figures like Gertrude More and Jane Lead, the German poet Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg, and the German American mystic Marie Christine Sauer.
For contemporary spiritual seekers, this work offers valuable insights into how authentic mystical practice has historically transcended denominational divisions and adapted to changing religious landscapes. The book illuminates patterns of spiritual resilience and transformation that remain relevant for understanding how mystical traditions continue to evolve and survive across different cultural contexts.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~11 hours)
📄 Length: 408 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Christentum
- ✓ Explore Reformation
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Kirchengeschichte
- ✓ Explore Church history, 18th century
- ✓ Explore mystical experiences
- ✓ Explore Godsdienstgeschiedenis
