Bryce
Eucharistic Reflections: Denys the Areopagite, Bonaventure, Hadewijch, and Meister Eckhart
In the final chapter of The Darkness of God: Negativity in Christian Mysticism, Denys Turner asserts that our contemporary ideas of what constitutes "mysticism" have tended to focus on a kind of experientialism that would seem very foreign to the historical authors we classify as mystical theologians. Rather, beginning with observations offered by Andrew Louth on the mystical theology of Denys the Areopagite, Turner suggests that what the modern reader has collapsed to an experience of the presence of God is actually a phenomenon deeply rooted in worship, liturgical practice, sacrament, and private prayer.[1]
Rather than ends unto themselves, these moments are part of a pattern of affirmations and negations which prepare the worshiper for what lies beyond our sensual experiences. What follows are some reflections on the role of liturgy as catalyst for the mystical experiences described by several authors presented in this course.
The Origin of Gender in Eriugena’s Periphyseon
In his presentation titled The Sleep of Adam, the Making of Eve: Sin and Creation in Eriugena,[*] Donald Duclow explores the gendering of humanity as related in John Scottus Eriugena's Periphyseon, with particular attention to some Eriugenian innovations on the theme.
In many ways Periphyseon draws on previous works including those of Gregory of Nyssa[1] and Maximus Confessor. Yet John embellishes these previous accounts in ways that are both novel and uniquely his own. What follows is a brief exploration of several key points in Duclow's presentation, followed by a couple of reflections regarding distinctive moments in Eriugena's work.
Male & Female Created He Them…
As a theologian I often struggle with ways to translate conversation in the academy into useful materials for the church. What follows is a sermon that I preached in May 2008 when the Revised Common Lectionary presented the challenge of the Genesis creation narrative. I created a PowerPoint presentation to display as I spoke. Many of the images are presented here with the text.
Feuerbach and The Essence of Religion
Kierkegaard and Barth on “mediation”
Barth and Kierkegaard may each in his own way be seen as voices of resistance against the trends inherent in the liberal theology of their respective milieus. In Fear and Trembling[1], we see Kierkegaard's protest against the totalizing philosophy of the Hegelians. Some 75 years later Barth's Epistle to the Romans[2] would cite Kierkegaard's "leap of faith" in Barth's own objection to the comfortable way in which God had been brought to the level of an object within the realm of human understanding. Both authors reject what might be referred to as "mediation," or rational explanations of encounters between human beings and God.
Hegel and Troeltsch on the “absoluteness” of Christianity
While it can be said that Hegel argues for the "absoluteness" of Christianity in his narrative of the development of the "consummate" religion, Troeltsch's characterization of Christianity is not absolute, but rather "normative."
Schleiermacher and the Intuition of the Infinite
If you haven't experienced the intuition of the infinite, then Schleiermacher believes he can lead you only so far. While he can attempt to outline the journey, in the end you have to experience it for yourself. Past a certain point, anything he has to say about it will become incomprehensible. But through the intersubjectivity of a community that finds at its root just such an intuition, you may find your way.
Kant on Atonement
In his Religion,[1] Kant lays out an atonement model whose initial dynamics look very much like those of Anselm of Canterbury. However, in keeping with his commitments to outlining a religion using human reason alone, Kant then eschews any metaphysical discussion of Jesus as God incarnate and vicarious restitution owed by humanity which only God can make, offering instead an alternative model for satisfaction.
The Transcendental Deduction
Through his Transcendental Deduction Kant sought to respond to several questions raised within his context within the Modern period.
A way forward: the convergence of Tradition, sensus fidelium, and relevant translation
In previous posts we have examined several iterations of the Eucharistic performance within the framework of a postmodern understanding of the inherent instability of the text. Now we turn to a final criticism often raised in opposition to innovations within the spiritual life of the church.
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