1st Edition

John of the Cross Carmel, Desire and Transformation

Edited By Edward Howells, Peter Tyler Copyright 2024
336 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

336 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

336 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book explores the life and teaching of John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic who remains a major source of Western thought on spirituality, theology and mysticism. Leading academics discuss the importance and legacy of John from historical, theological, philosophical, pastoral, ecumenical, psychological and literary perspectives. The book focuses on his place in Carmel, his understanding of... Read more

Part 1  John of the Cross: Carmel, Context and Canonization

1. John of the Cross and Carmel: Hermit and Mendicant 

Terence O’Reilly

2. How John of the Cross Gained and Lost Mystical Authority

Bernard McGinn

3. John of the Cross: The Long Road to Sainthood

Jodi Bilinkoff

4. John of the Cross and the Carmelite Nuns: Reciprocity and Communion

Shelagh Banks

Part 2v John of the Cross: Love, Desire and Transformation

5.‘¡Amada en el Amado Transformada!’: John of the Cross on Transformation

Steven Payne

6. Perfect Love, Described: Exploring the Significance of Love for John of the Cross

Iain Matthew

7. The Lovers’ Gaze as a Symbol of the Mystical Journey in the Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross

Colin Thompson

8. The Unfathomed Embrace: The Language of Abyss in John of the Cross

Tessa Holland

9. Transformation in John of the Cross: What Deep Innate Human and Spiritual Ground Is Being Transformed in Each of the Dark Nights?

Ronald Rolheiser

10. The Ascent of Mount Carmel as a Way of Transformation

Pavel Pola

11‘Thou Art Changed to Be Cruel Toward Me’ (Job 30.21): John of the Cross on Job

Louise Nelstrop

Part 3  John of the Cross in Dialogue

12. The influence of Thomas Aquinas on John of the Cross

Sam Hole

13. Desire and the Transformation of Suffering in John of the Cross and Catherine of Siena

Emma Mavin

14. Desire for God and its Realisation: Henri de Lubac in Dialogue with John of the Cross

Christof Betschart

15. Edith Stein and John of the Cross on the Dark Night: Changing the Aspect of the Soul

Peter Tyler

16. John of the Cross and Emmanuel Lévinas: The Quest for God Beyond Being

David Perrin

17. Jacques Lacan, Jean Baruzi and John of the Cross: The Problem of Modern Experientialism and the Dark Night of COVID

Mark Murphy

Part 4  John of the Cross for Today

18. The Dark Night in Psychiatry

Christopher C. H. Cook

19. Directing Desire: Diagnosing Acedia and Dark Night in Spiritual Direction

Chloe Lynch

20. A Transformative View of Christian Suffering: John of the Cross’ Interpretation and Analysis of Mark 8:34–35

Robert D. Flanagan

21. Recontextualising St John: Constance FitzGerald’s Concept of Impasse and Its Appropriation in Contemporary Spirituality

Ian Shelton

Biography

Edward Howells is Assistant Tutor in Christian Spirituality at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford.

Peter Tyler is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spirituality and Director of the Centre for Initiatives in Spirituality and Reconciliation (www.stmarys.ac.uk/inspire) at St Mary’s University, London.