The Mystic Way in Postmodernity

This book challenges experiential, esoteric and colloquial understandings of mysticism by bringing a fresh relevance to the term through an interdisciplinary dialogue between literature, mysticism and theology in the context of postmodernity. In order to achieve this, the author takes selected writings of Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov and Annie Dillard, and incorporates them into various stages of a redesigned mystic way. The fourteenth-century mystic Julian of Norwich is invoked throughout as a role model whom these three writers seek to emulate as popular writers, contemplatives and theologians. As theologians who are concerned with the pressing issues of our age, Grace Jantzen, Dorothee Soelle and Sallie McFague are drawn on as conversation partners to complete the three-way discussion. The author maintains that understanding the writing and reading of creative texts in the context of practical mysticism facilitates an integrated approach to the use of literature for theological expression.

Autorentext
The Author: Sue Yore gained her first degree in Theology and Women's Studies and an M.A. in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University and went on to gain a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in 2007. She is now a full-time senior lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University.

Zusammenfassung
«This is Sue Yore's first book and one can but hope that it will not be her last. [...] This is a well-informed, mature, temperate and articulate exploration of the profound relationship between literature and theology.» (David Jasper, Literature and Theology)

Inhalt
Contents: Practical and contemplative aspects of contemporary mysticism - Literature as a resource for theological expression - Contemporary theologians: Sallie McFague, Dorothee Soelle, Grace Jantzen - Dialogue with Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov, Annie Dillard and Julian of Norwich - Theology, philosophy and literary criticism - Theological approaches to ethics, mysticism, the Bible and human creativity.