Is the Christian mystical tradition a relic of another time, shaped by
celibates for celibates, unable to engage meaningfully with people of
our time who embrace their corporeality and sexuality as crucial
aspects of their journey towards union with God? This book reflects in
serious theological depth and detail on the spiritual and sexual
journeys of gay men of mature and committed Christian faith, employing
the Christian mystical tradition as the lens and the interlocutor in
this process. This study examines the major themes and stages of the
mystical tradition as outlined by Evelyn Underhill, but also including
more recent work by Ruth Burrows, Thomas Merton and Constance
Fitzgerald. Using methods of qualitative research, it then considers
the texts of in-depth interviews conducted with men, most of whom are
theologians or spiritual leaders with a deep Catholic faith, and all
of whom are openly, self-affirmingly gay. Finally, it employs
Ricoeur’s hermeneutical theory to engage in a creative theological
conversation between the traditional mystical stages and themes and
these men’s lives, as described in their interviews. This is a
unique study that brings together ancient spirituality with
contemporary lived religion. As such, it will be of interest to
scholars of religious studies, theology, Christian mysticism and
spirituality, and queer studies. It will be of particular interest to
those teach spiritual direction and to all who seek new ways to engage
with the spiritual lives of LGBTIQ+ people.
Les mer
Spirituality in the Lives of Contemporary Gay Men
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781351357173
Publisert
2018
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Routledge
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter