Mysticism+Article+2

= Article Analysis : Gabriel Biel and Late Medieval Mysticism, Oberman, Heiko, Church History, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Sep., 1961), pp. 259-287 Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Society of Church History = =// Focus: // In the years preceding the Reformation, church leadership was torn over ideas of how mysticism interacted with mainstream Christianity. As time progressed, views began to emerge on both sides of the argument for and against this practice. Eventually, clearer concepts were implemented, solidifying the definition and value of mysticism. = Evidence || Main Idea || Nominalism and Mysticism || Both movements were identified with the reformation (259-260)  Both met with disapproval of Pope John XXII.(261)   || Later middle ages shaped by uncertainty and confusion. || Mystical Elements in Theology || Thomas Aquinas taught that the goal of mysticism is the vision of God understood as the ultimate truth. (261)  Traditional stages of mysticism: purgation, illumination, and union, supported by Christian doctrine.(262)  || Medieval mysticism consistent in its effort to establish balance between contemplation and action (263) || Justification and Mysticism <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stages mark growth in grace and are therefore, an unfolding of the initial gift of sanctifying grace(271) <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Contemplation, originally seen as a freely chosen exercise of the just, has become an effort by the sinner, needed for his salvation. (2710 || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Created grace necessary to continual process of sanctification. (274) || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> || <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> //<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Implications: //<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> This article investigates mysticism, including terminology, and teachings. Inconsistencies in schools of thought between major theologians are compared and the result is a refined definition of mysticism which reconciles its practice with Christian dogma.