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Power, Gender & Christian Mysticism: 8 (Cambridge Studies in Ideology and Religion, Series Number 8)

Power, Gender & Christian Mysticism: 8 (Cambridge Studies in Ideology and Religion, Series Number 8)

by Jantzen (Author)

  • New

    Paperback 2008

    $45.55
Synopsis

In the western Christian tradition, the mystic was seen as having direct access to God, and therefore great authority. In this study, Dr Jantzen discusses how men of power defined and controlled who should count as a mystic, and thus who would have power: women were pointedly excluded. This makes her book of special interest to those in gender studies and medieval history. Its main argument, however, is philosophical. Because the mystical has gone through many social constructions, the modern philosophical assumption that mysticism is essentially about intense subjective experiences is misguided. This view is historically inaccurate, and perpetuates the same gendered struggle for authority which characterises the history of western christendom. This book is the first on the subject to take issues of gender seriously, and to use these as a point of entry for a deconstructive approach to Christian mysticism.

$45.55

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 404
 Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 12 Jan 2008
ISBN 10: 0521479266
ISBN 13: 9780521479264
Book Overview: A well-known theologian challenges perceived notions of mysticism in relation to power and gender.

Media Reviews
'The first major study of Christian mysticism to utilise a deconstructionist approach, Power, Gender and Christian Mysticism illuminates the meaning of gendered rhetoric in the writings of major male 'mystics' from Plato to Dionysus to Eckhart. Most importantly, through a 'deeper' reading of female mystics and visionaries (often ignored - and sometimes silenced) Grace Jantzen has allowed these women to speak eloquently. Her inescapable conclusion is that we can no longer speak of 'Christian Mysticism,' but of 'Christian Mysticisms', and of these not as intense, private experiences, but as manifesting sets of social relations and representations. This is a scholarly, but at the same time most readable and entertaining work, and I recommend it strongly.' Philip C. Almond, University of Queensland
...an important contribution to understanding the nature of the history of mysticism as impacted by gender and social power struggles. Highly recommended. The Reader's Review
Both historically and philosophically, this compelling, massively documented study is a superlative contribution to medieval, religious, and feminist studies. Choice
Jantzen's book offers a strong and convincing critique of the category of mysticism as it has ben constructed and employed by both modern theologians and philosophers of religion....In Power, Gender and Christian Mysticism, Jantzen has written an important book which should figure into all future discussions of mysticism and Politics. F.C. Bauerschmidt, Modern Theology
This work is clear, fair, thorough, challenging, and engaging....the author serves the academic and faith communities well. The reader is constantly invited to think through the historical data and make new judgements....it deserves to be weighed seriously in any scholarly appreciation of mystical tradition and of spirituality. Barabara Paleczny, ssnd, The Canadian Catholic Review
Jantzen's work....offers a wide-ranging discussion of the social construction of mysticism in Christianity from early exegetical spirituality, through the developments of Dionysius the Areopagite, a number of medieval case studies, to an examination of modern academic mis-readings of mystical texts. It is full of spicy critiques of other scholars, and is energized by a dauntless intention to unmask gender oppression wherever it may be lurking. ...Jantzen does an absolutely stellar job in relieving us once and for all...of the modern preoccupation with a putative core experience common universally to all mystics. Mark A. McIntosh, Pro Ecclesia