Andrew Louth traces the Christian mystical tradition from Plato and Platonism, through figures such as Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Denys the Areopagite, and Augustine, to St John of the Cross. In doing so he explores the diverse, and often conflicting influences that are to be found in Christian spirituality. An additional chapter brings this classic study completely up to date.

1. Plato ; 2. Philo ; 3. Plotinus ; 4. Origen ; 5. Nicene Orthodoxy ; 6. The Monastic Contributions ; 7. Augustine ; 8. Denys the Areopagite ; 9. Patristic Mysticism and St John of the Cross ; 10. The Mystical Life and the Mystical Body ; 11. Epilogue

`The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition [is] a standard resource for students of this topic' M. J Edwards, The Classical Review `a book on spirituality which is trenchant and without any touch of sentimentality.' Henry Chadwick, TLS `It is not often that we chance to meet with a book so rich that it would be impossible to discuss it in full without writing another one at least as long.' Louis Bouyer, Sobornost `It is a great merit in this book that it is ready to talk about dogma and indeed tries to unite, in the spirit of the Fathers, doctrine and spirituality.' Journal of Theological Studies `splendid survey of patristic spirituality ... Here we find not merely the often-repeated statement that theology and spirituality are inseparable in the Fathers, but a careful demonstration of this.' New Fire