See previous issue: Augustine and the Inner Life The earliest systematic work on mysticism is arguably Mystical Theology,  by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, who lived sometime in the 5th and 6th centuries, which influenced the 14th-century English work, “The Cloud of Unknowing.” [1]   What is interesting is that both works are anonymous. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite is a pseudonym, hence, the prefix “pseudo.” The author took the name from Dionysius the Areopagite, mentioned in Acts...

See previous Issue: The Cappadocian Fathers: The Integration of Theology and Spirituality The greatest Church Father and theologian of the Western Church is arguably Saint Augustine, or Aurelius Augustinus, as he was called. One of his most famous works is his autobiography, Confessions , which provides significant detail about his early years. [1] Today, when we hear the word “confessions,” we typically think of confessing sins or wrongdoing. [2] There is certainly some of that in...

Previous Issue: Desert Spirituality: The Beginnings of Monasticism In the previous blog, I mentioned that there was a more learned and liturgical monasticism in the heart of Cappadocia. While not all three Cappadocian Fathers were monks (only Basil the Great was a true monk), all of them were associated with and influenced by monastic spirituality and theology. Together, they made a meaningful contribution to Christian theology. Helleman and Gaiya provide us with a helpful overview of the...