Mystical Theology in Contemporary Perspective

In today's secularized and pluralistic world, spiritual and mystical experiences remain visible and significant. The current historical moment challenges the socio-political and cultural context of contemporary mystical life and thought. This examination traces the contours of present-day mystical experience in the southern hemisphere, where the experience of the Spirit is uniquely intertwined with secular politics, interreligious dialogue, and the rise of intra-ecclesial spiritualism. These developments pose new challenges for Christian theology and its discourse about humanity.

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Abstract

The chapter examines the presence and visibility of spiritual and mystical experience in the secularized and plural contemporary world. Our historical moment puts into question the socio-political and cultural context of contemporary mystical life and thought. This allows us to trace the contours of present-day mystical experience in the southern hemisphere, where the experience of the Spirit is intertwined in distinctive ways with issues such as secular politics or interreligious dialogue and with the emergence of intra-ecclesial spiritualism. In doing so, we elaborate the new challenges that the experience of and reflection upon mysticism poses for Christian theology and its discourse about humanity.