1st Edition
John of the Cross Carmel, Desire and Transformation
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 desire, and the role of transformation in his theology. Approaching John in the context of the late medieval mystical tradition, it offers a timely re-evaluation of his work and a significant reassessment of his relevance in the context of current debates.
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.
