Mystical Theology: The Science of Love,by William Johnston. Orbis Books, 1998.
From the earliest centuries there has existed a Christian theology of
mysticism, defining the state which Bernard Lonergan called a "being in love with God." St. John of the Cross wrote such a theology for the sixteenth century, calling it "the science of love." Now, William Johnston, one of the great spiritual writers of our time, attempts to do the same for the twenty-first century.In Part One of Mystical Theology Johnston surveys Christian mysticism through the centuries. Johnson shows that such a theology today must dialogue with modern science and with
Eastern religions. Part Two provides this dialogue, where Johnston engages Einstein's theories as well as Zen Buddhism. In Part Three, it becomes clear how the "science of love" is no longer an esoteric discipline for monks and nuns. In Johnston's writing it becomes accessible to all modern people grappling with problems of sexuality, social justice, world peace, and the protection of the environment.Mystical Theology is indispensable to all those seeking guidance as well as intellectual and
historical foundations of the Christian mystical experience today.
Despite the fact that much about St. Giles is shrouded in mystery, we can say that he was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. Likely, he was born in the first half of the seventh century in southeastern France. That is where he built a monastery that became a popular stopping-off point for pilgrims making their way to Compostela in Spain and
the Holy Land.
In England, many ancient churches and hospitals were dedicated to Giles. One of the sections of the city of Brussels is named after him. In Germany, Giles was included among the so-called 14 Holy Helpers, a popular group of saints
to whom people prayed, especially for recovery from disease and for strength at the hour of death. Also among the 14 were Sts. Christopher, Barbara and Blaise. Interestingly, Giles was the only non-martyr among them. Devotion to the "Holy Helpers" was especially strong in parts of Germany and in Hungary and Sweden. Such devotion made his popularity spread. Giles was soon invoked as the patron of the poor and the disabled.
The pilgrimage center that once drew so many fell into disrepair some centuries after Giles' death.
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A worldview is a set of beliefs and assumptions that a person uses when interpreting the world around him. A worldview deals with issues like . . .
* What are we?
* What is our purpose in
life?
* Does God exist?
* From where do we derive our morals?
* Are there moral absolutes?
* Why is there suffering in the world?
All people have a worldview. Some believe in God, and others do not. Some affirm evolution, and others do not. Some believe there are absolute morals, and others do not. Some worldviews are more refined than others, but all people have them because all people have a set of beliefs through which they view the
world.
The Sunday school lesson for the day was about Noah's Ark, so the teacher decided to get her small pupils involved by playing a game in which they identified
animals.
"I'm going to describe something to you. Let's see if you can guess what it is.
First: I'm furry with a bushy tail and I like to climb
trees."
The children looked at her blankly.
"I also like to eat nuts, especially acorns."
No response. This wasn't going well at all!
Finally a kid volunteered:
"Well, I know the answer has to be Jesus....but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"
