The Harvest of Mysticism in Medieval Germany. By BERNARD MCGINN.

Abstract

This is the fourth volume of an extensive series: two further volumes are promised, so that the complete work will be a quite magisterial treatment of its subject-matter. One must feel something approaching awe at the author's courage in undertaking such a monumental task. Though mysticism has had a place in Christianity from very early times, it has also had its critics who have questioned whether it really should be allowed such a place. In a scientific age like ours, the very word ‘mysticism’ is sometimes used as a term of abuse. Professor McGinn, who teaches at the University of Chicago, has studied the subject thoroughly and sympathetically, and his multi-volume work is already regarded as a classic in the subject. Mysticism, defined in Webster's dictionary as ‘the experience of union or direct communion with ultimate Reality’, may be an uncommon experience, but it is certainly just about as widespread as the human race itself. Therefore this vast work of McGinn, in order to have a manageable subject, confines itself to Christian mysticism and leaves aside the similar forms of religious experiencence known in Judaism, Islam, and perhaps especially in the great religions of the further East. The author limits his study further by confining himself to western Christian mysticism, particularly German mysticism, although a mystical spirituality has been very much a mark of eastern forms of the Christian religion. In the particular volume before us, the subject-matter is further confined to the years 1300–1500. Even so, the subject remains vast, and one can only admire the patience and energy which McGinn has expended in producing this work. It not only throws much light on a subject wnich is usually considered to be obscure, but inspires in the reader a deep respect for the mystic way. The present reviewer has never had any deep mystical experience, but he has always had a great respect for this form of spiritual experience, so far as he can grasp what it is, and that respect is greatly increased by McGinn's work in which questioning and criticism are not ignored. To keep the review within a reasonable length, two leading mystics, Meister Eckhart and Nicholas of Cusa, are discussed in some detail, out of the large number treated by the book's author.