Spiritual Itineraries
The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology February 25, 2020 Boyd Taylor Coolman
The Christian view of humanity as 'pilgrim' or 'wayfarer' emerged over the first fifteen centuries from Jewish and Christian ideas about the world's relationship with God combined with Graeco-Roman culture and philosophy. Mystical itinerancy takes one of two aspects (pre- or post-conversion), one of two trajectories (vertical-mystical or horizontal-historical), and one of two modes (personal or communal). These combine into three models: individual ascent to contemplation, individual journey to conversion or sanctification, and communal pilgrimage to the kingdom of God.