GP2600 – The Nature of Mystical Wisdom in the Life of the Church

The nature of mystical wisdom in the life of the Church remains an area of great misunderstanding even among theologians and contemplatives. With that in mind, this course will discuss how the International Theological Commission distinguishes scientific theological wisdom from mystical wisdom and proposes that they constitute different ways of participating in the life of God. Through a disciplined understanding of the connections between mystical wisdom and the life of Church, the distinction between mystical wisdom and scientific theological wisdom, and how mystical wisdom develops in the life of prayer according to St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. John Paul II the class will open up meaningful conversations regarding the primacy of contemplative prayer and the mystical life in ministry, apostolic efforts, and evangelization.