Christian mystics are seekers of every generation who enjoyed a profound sense of God’s presence—even “union” with God—in their lives. The first Christian mystics appear in the New Testament (John the Evangelist) and the most recent ones lived in our own time (Howard Thurman, Simone Weil). Over the centuries, the mystics have included women and men, clergy and lay, Catholic and Protestant, rich and poor, educated and ordinary. What they share in common is their love of God and whole-hearted approach to living the Gospel in their daily lives. What can we learn from these heroes of the faith? What do the great mystics have to say to us today?
Our program draws from the wisdom of some of the greatest Christian mystics, from renowned figures like Teresa of Ávila and Julian of Norwich, to lesser known (but important) individuals like Evelyn Underhill and John Ruusbroec. We’ll look at some of their key ideas, reflect on the major themes and principles of Christian mysticism, explore how their teachings on prayer can be applied in our lives today, and seek ways to apply their wisdom to Christian discipleship here in the third millennium. While this course will introduce you to the great mystics of the past, our emphasis will be on their timeless wisdom (how it helps us to live today) as much as on their fascinating stories.
This course is open to everyone. Credit towards the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program will be given to those who participate fully and complete and post course writing assignments.
Program Fee: Early registration of $380 before December 20, 2023. Full program fee of $410 after December 20, 2023.
Housing & Meals: Information about housing and meals below.
