Comments on: Mysticism, Scripture, Tradition and Reason http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/ a blog (et cetera) by Carl McColman Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:57:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: irishanglican http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7647 irishanglican Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:29:44 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7647 Carl, We are on the same page mate! I am conservative on some things, and rather different on others, etc. Indeed the Incarnation and the Triune God are their own mystery, the Creeds just help fence this. But as Elizabeth of the Trinity said: The Christian life, [It is] "another humanity wherein Christ renews all his mystery." Fr. R. Carl,
We are on the same page mate! I am conservative on some things, and rather different on others, etc. Indeed the Incarnation and the Triune God are their own mystery, the Creeds just help fence this. But as Elizabeth of the Trinity said: The Christian life, [It is] “another humanity wherein Christ renews all his mystery.”

Fr. R.

]]> By: Carl McColman http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7643 Carl McColman Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:16:39 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7643 No argument, Fr. Robert. I'm quite liberal when it comes to God's lavish love and grace, but rather conservative when it comes to defining Christian mysticism. To me, if it denies the Incarnation and the Holy Trinity, it's not Christian mysticism, no matter how lovely — or 'mystical' — it may be. No argument, Fr. Robert. I’m quite liberal when it comes to God’s lavish love and grace, but rather conservative when it comes to defining Christian mysticism. To me, if it denies the Incarnation and the Holy Trinity, it’s not Christian mysticism, no matter how lovely — or ‘mystical’ — it may be.

]]> By: irishanglican http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7642 irishanglican Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:07:38 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-7642 Carl, I was a R. Benedictine for several years (in my 20's) now in my 50's. And now for over 15 years, an Anglican priest. I am Irish born, and live in the London area. And I have tacked on both the D.Phil., and Th.D. (for what that is worth). Having had a real Pauline and so-called Augstinian conversion (years ago now), does not our Christian mysticism need to stay within the revelation of the Judeo-Christian truth? (That would be some of the Deutocanon, and perhaps some OT Psuepigrapha) Fr. Robert Carl,

I was a R. Benedictine for several years (in my 20’s) now in my 50’s. And now for over 15 years, an Anglican priest. I am Irish born, and live in the London area. And I have tacked on both the D.Phil., and Th.D. (for what that is worth).

Having had a real Pauline and so-called Augstinian conversion (years ago now), does not our Christian mysticism need to stay within the revelation of the Judeo-Christian truth? (That would be some of the Deutocanon, and perhaps some OT Psuepigrapha)

Fr. Robert

]]> By: Carl McColman http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4754 Carl McColman Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:25:22 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4754 Our opinions on Thomas are pretty much on the same page. I don't consider Thomas to be "lost scripture" so much as an early and foundational text of the mystical canon - in other words, categorically akin to the writings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Evagrius, Eriugena, etc. etc. etc. I am utterly humbled (and honored) that you would mention my book in the same post in which you mention McLaren, Claiborne, Wright, Bourgeault, Borg, et al. I only hope that my writing can live up to such august company! Our opinions on Thomas are pretty much on the same page. I don’t consider Thomas to be “lost scripture” so much as an early and foundational text of the mystical canon - in other words, categorically akin to the writings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Evagrius, Eriugena, etc. etc. etc.

I am utterly humbled (and honored) that you would mention my book in the same post in which you mention McLaren, Claiborne, Wright, Bourgeault, Borg, et al. I only hope that my writing can live up to such august company!

]]> By: Darrell Grizzle http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4752 Darrell Grizzle Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:59:51 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4752 I am a lover of the Gospel of Thomas, but I'm not sure it will revolutionize the Christian faith. I think it may play a supporting role in the revolution, but I think the real revolutionaries are the ones who are promoting a new Christian metanarrative (which the Gospel of Thomas and other nondualistic Christian writings will be seen to support). I'm talking about the "emergents" within evangelical Christianity, like Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo, and Shane Claiborne (I just finished his "Irresistible Revolution" and absolutely loved it), and about the "emerging paradigm" of Jesus in mainstream denominations (Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Walter Brueggeman, Cynthia Bourgeault), and people like N.T. Wright and Miroslav Volf, who traverse both worlds. The revolutionary work these people (who range from conservative to liberal) are doing, and the vision of Jesus they are promoting, is where the hope of revitalizing Christianity lies. I really believe your new book, Carl, reconnecting this vision of Jesus with its true origins (the Christian mystics) will be an important addition to the "emergent/emerging" conversation. I am a lover of the Gospel of Thomas, but I’m not sure it will revolutionize the Christian faith. I think it may play a supporting role in the revolution, but I think the real revolutionaries are the ones who are promoting a new Christian metanarrative (which the Gospel of Thomas and other nondualistic Christian writings will be seen to support).

I’m talking about the “emergents” within evangelical Christianity, like Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo, and Shane Claiborne (I just finished his “Irresistible Revolution” and absolutely loved it), and about the “emerging paradigm” of Jesus in mainstream denominations (Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Walter Brueggeman, Cynthia Bourgeault), and people like N.T. Wright and Miroslav Volf, who traverse both worlds. The revolutionary work these people (who range from conservative to liberal) are doing, and the vision of Jesus they are promoting, is where the hope of revitalizing Christianity lies.

I really believe your new book, Carl, reconnecting this vision of Jesus with its true origins (the Christian mystics) will be an important addition to the “emergent/emerging” conversation.

]]> By: Carl McColman http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4731 Carl McColman Sat, 15 Dec 2007 04:23:00 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4731 Hmmm, the Gospel of Thomas. There are those who feel that the text can and will revolutionize the Christian faith, particularly in terms of its mysticism. While I tend to shy away from such bold and broad statements, I do think there is much to profitably explore in this slim work. Christian nonduality can be found not only in Thomas, but among the Celts, the Neoplatonists, the work of mystics as diverse as Eruigena, Julian of Norwich, Ruysbroeck, John of the Cross, and Thomas Merton in his best moments. Obviously the tradition as it has manifested as an institution has done a pretty poor job at celebrating nonduality, but as Christ might say, "Those who have eyes to see, let them see." And it's as plain as the nose on our face. But as this article (like the writing of Ken Wilber) makes clear, to those whose consciousness hasn't yet glimpsed nonduality, it is impossible to see Christ any other way than dualistically. It is what it is. I just wish the dualists would stop trying to silence the nondualists. Hmmm, the Gospel of Thomas. There are those who feel that the text can and will revolutionize the Christian faith, particularly in terms of its mysticism. While I tend to shy away from such bold and broad statements, I do think there is much to profitably explore in this slim work.

Christian nonduality can be found not only in Thomas, but among the Celts, the Neoplatonists, the work of mystics as diverse as Eruigena, Julian of Norwich, Ruysbroeck, John of the Cross, and Thomas Merton in his best moments. Obviously the tradition as it has manifested as an institution has done a pretty poor job at celebrating nonduality, but as Christ might say, “Those who have eyes to see, let them see.” And it’s as plain as the nose on our face. But as this article (like the writing of Ken Wilber) makes clear, to those whose consciousness hasn’t yet glimpsed nonduality, it is impossible to see Christ any other way than dualistically. It is what it is. I just wish the dualists would stop trying to silence the nondualists.

]]> By: ned http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4727 ned Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:33:48 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4727 Hi Carl -- I myself am a student of the Indian philosopher-sage Sri Aurobindo and the French occultist-mystic the Mother. I wanted to ask what you think of the following article on the nonduality of Christ's message: http://www.sciy.org/blog/_archives/2007/12/13/3406363.html (This blog is based primarily on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother but is basically non-sectarian.) Hi Carl — I myself am a student of the Indian philosopher-sage Sri Aurobindo and the French occultist-mystic the Mother. I wanted to ask what you think of the following article on the nonduality of Christ’s message:
http://www.sciy.org/blog/_archives/2007/12/13/3406363.html

(This blog is based primarily on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother but is basically non-sectarian.)

]]> By: Carl McColman http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4730 Carl McColman Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:14:02 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4730 The book isn't slated for publication until the fall of 2009. So you'll have plenty of time to save your pennies. The book isn’t slated for publication until the fall of 2009. So you’ll have plenty of time to save your pennies.

]]> By: Jason Aubrey http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4717 Jason Aubrey Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:42:07 +0000 http://anamchara.com/2007/12/09/mysticism-scripture-tradition-and-reason/#comment-4717 Carl - maybe you've said something about this elsewhere, or maybe it's too early to say, but do you have a timeline or eta for your book? The reason I ask is that I *promise* to buy a copy, and I want to start saving up. :) Jason Carl - maybe you’ve said something about this elsewhere, or maybe it’s too early to say, but do you have a timeline or eta for your book? The reason I ask is that I *promise* to buy a copy, and I want to start saving up. :) Jason

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