Publisher Description

By linking together a series of brilliantly chosen texts from the early centuries of the Church, the author lays bare the roots of the deeply mystical spirituality that has flourished among Christians throughout the ages. This is a book that will appeal to anyone who is interested in the field of spirituality; it is a masterly contribution to Christian scholarship. Clement's scholarly exposition of the mysticism of the Fathers, already regarded as a modern classic, is now in its third edition.

Author Biography

Olivier Clement was one of the foremost Orthodox theologians of his day. He taught at the Institute of St Sergius at Paris and was a member of the Ecumenical Institute founded by L'Institut Catholique. His many works, published in various languages, cover a wide range of subjects.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: Understanding the MysteryPART TWO: Initiation for WarfarePART THREE: Approaches to contemplation

Review

'There are some books so good that all one wants to say is: go out, buy it and read it - it is marvellous! And so it is with this fine translation.' Andrew Louth, (Fairacres Chronicle);'The Roots of Christian Mysticism' with its carefully selected texts from Christian tradition, east and west, demonstrates the constant thirst of the human being for the transcendent. Clement shows that our life is ever a mystical wonder.' John Rotelle, O.S.A., former Director Augustianian Heritage Institute, Villanova, PA; 'A book of uncommon interest and importance.' A.M.Allchin (Church Times); 'Without any forcing of the sense, the book makes the Fathers seem our contemporaries.' John Lawrence (The Tablet)

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