Pneumatology
The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology February 25, 2020 Brandon Gallaher
Mysticism is not reserved for spiritual elites but is the Holy Spirit's ordinary call for every Christian to be transformed into a 'second Christ.' The Spirit remains hidden in this age but is revealed through transformed Christians—saints and mystics—who become little 'christs.' Christians are called to put on Christ, live by the Spirit, and become 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Pet. 1:4). Examples from Symeon the New Theologian, Seraphim of Sarov, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, baptismal and eucharistic theology, and Augustine's work illustrate this teaching across Christian East and West.