Mystical Texts
The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology February 25, 2020 Rob Faesen
The study of mysticism and mystical theology requires analyzing texts with standard scientific literary analysis, but mystical literature has distinctive features. First, its language has a unique referent, meaning the connection between signifier and signified is exceptional. Second, mystical literature spans many literary genres, shaped by authors' motives, writing circumstances, and intended readers. Third, these texts often arose in difficult historical and theological contexts, which strongly influences their intertextuality and reception history.