Early Christian Mistics WT-SSTA-EC
This course attempts to present main Early Christian mystical doctrines and their understanding of how man can gain the unity with God. It also presents the doctrines of the stages of mystical life in various authors and their conceptions of ecstasy. The mystical tradition will be presented with regard to ancient mysticism in general, that is to mystical tradition in philosophy. Such approach allows to look at Christian mysticism in wider perspective and to make an attempt to answer the question: Is a man “mystical animal”?
The main topic of the course are:
- Essentialistic and epiristic definition of mysticism. Attempt on definition of Eearly Christian Mysticism.
- Towards the vision of Ideas - mistical aspects in philosophy of Plato.
- Philo of Alexandria – first approach to philosophy as a path to union with God.
- The Soul and the One – the turn towards the within in Plotinus.Notion of ecstasy in Plotinus as a peak of mystical experience.
- Origen – union of the nous finding its true nature. Intellectual mysticism of light.
- Experience of God in darkness and epektasis – notion of mysticism in Gregory of Nyssa.
- Monasticism and mysticism, role of Evagrius of Pontus.
- St. Augustine – ascent of the soul in search of the Truth.
- Symbol and mystical way - Pseudo-Dionysius in dialogue with the Pagans
- Denys the Areopagite – triple way to the Henosis.
- Legacy of Early Christian Mysticism.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
STL_W01 - student has knowledge about the beginnings of Christian mystical tradition with its roots in mystical tradition of Platonic philosophy, and on the stages of mystical life.
STL_W02 - student knows and understands basic terminology of mysticism, with naming the parts of human soul involved in the process, and names of the stages of mystical life.
STL_W03 - student knows the process of ascending to God, its phases and what goes on in each of them, in Neoplatonic and Christian interpretation.
STL_W07 - student can applicate the knowledge on the Early Christian mysticism to the contemporary conditions of pastoral care, and can applicate it to his own self-development.
Assessment criteria
Mark "five":
STL_W01 - student knows and can perfectly explain the Early Christian Mystical tradition especially with regard to is Philosophical background and stages of mystical life i a very good way.
STL_W02 - student can perfectly explain all terms which were used during the course, the names of parts of human soul, stages of mystical life and specific conditions of mystical experience.
STL_W03 - student fully knows the specific character of Ancient Christian Mysticism and can identify the differences and similarities between them.
STL_W07 - student can broadly elaborate on application of the knowledge on Early Christian Mystical tradition to the understanding of conditions of contemporary man.
Mark "four":
STL_W01 - student knows and can aptly explain the Early Christian Mystical tradition especially with regard to is Philosophical background and stages of mystical life i a very good way.
STL_W02 - student can aptly explain all terms which were used during the course, the names of parts of human soul, stages of mystical life and specific conditions of mystical experience.
STL_W03 - student well knows the specific character of Ancient Christian Mysticism and can identify the differences and similarities between them
STL_W07 - student can elaborate on application of the knowledge on Early Christian Mystical tradition to the understanding of conditions of contemporary man.
Mark "three":
STL_W01 - student knows and can give some explanation the Early Christian Mystical tradition especially with regard to is Philosophical background and stages of mystical life i a very good way.
STL_W02 - student can give some hints on terms which were used during the course, the names of parts of human soul, stages of mystical life and specific conditions of mystical experience.
STL_W03 - student has some knowledge on the specific character of Ancient Christian Mysticism and can identify the differences and similarities between them
STL_W07 - student can give some insights on application of the knowledge on Early Christian Mystical tradition to the understanding of conditions of contemporary man.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: