Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam : searching for oneness / Ori Z. Soltes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Soltes, Ori Z.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mysticism.

Mysticism--Islam.

Mysticism--Judaism.

Physical Description:

xi, 339 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, [2008]

Summary:

Throughout the ages and across religious traditions, people have yearned to personally experience God and deeply connect with the Creator. In Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ori Z. Soltes traces the sweep of mysticism-the search for oneness with God-throughout the three Abrahamic traditions.

This unique comparative overview begins with a definition of mysticism and a discussion of its place within religion as a whole. Soltes then explores the history of mysticism from biblical times through the present day, highlighting the emergence of mysticism within the three traditions and how beliefs and practices converge and diverge over time. The final chapters discuss the growing interest in mysticism today through practices such as kabbalah and how people publicly express their private encounters with God through art, literature, and other modern media.

Contents:

Introduction: what is mysticism?

The birth and development of the Abrahamic faiths

The roots of Judaism and Christianity

The emergence of Jewish mystical thought

Early Christian mysticism

A third player on the stage: Muslim mysticism from the Qur'an to Ibn 'Arabi

Medieval Jewish mysticism form Merkavah to Kabbalah

Medieval Christian mysticism from Assisi to Avila

The spread of and variety within Sufism

Variations within Jewish and Christian mysticism from the Renaissance through emancipation

Still searching: the persistence of mysticism in the modern era

Unfinished epilogues.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 319-326) and index.

ISBN:

9780742562769

074256276X

9780742565883

0742565882

OCLC:

212410018