Theosophia

by Arthur Versluis

Theosophia traces the long-hidden esoteric stream of Christian gnostic theosophy, revealing a "chivalric" religion of the Holy Spirit at the heart of Christianity. It shows that all three major branches of Christianity bear within them interrelated esoteric traditions. A deeply affirmative book, Theosophia introduces wholly unexpected aspects of Christian tradition. Where mainstream Christianity seems "anti-nature," Christian theosophy affirms a profound nature-mysticism; where it seems anti-erotic, theosophy affirms a powerful religious eroticism; and where it is portrayed as rigidly patriarchal, theosophy affirms a mysticism founded in the divine Sophia, the feminine personification of wisdom. Theosophia reveals hidden dimensions of our spiritual heritage that speak directly to our current social, ecological, and religious crises.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Gnosticism, Theology, Nonfiction

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Arthur Versluis, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles.

Among his many books are Platonic Mysticism (SUNY Press 2017), American Gurus (Oxford UP, 2014), Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism (Oxford UP, 2006), Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art (SUNY: 2004); The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance (Oxford UP: 2001); Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology, (Paragon House, 2000); Island Farm (MSU Press, 2000); Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY: 1999); and American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions (Oxford UP, 1993).

His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published a book called Island Farm about the family farm, and about family farming in the modern era.

Versluis was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany, and is the editor of JSR: Journal for the Study of Radicalism. He is the founding president of Hieros, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spirituality and cultural renewal.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disenchanted with Christianity, I picked up this book by the translator of the German Romantic Poet Novalis. Versluis presents a survey of Christian Theosophical mysticism, something that is very revealing for a faith that (at first blush) lacks a mystical tradition. This is a very informative and astounding book that presents a very different side of Christianity.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say I found this book extremely dry and boring in spite of the fascinating subject.

[Connie Backus-yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

should have read this years and years ago when I first found s used book. Instead I waited until I found a book at a library and finally started reading it and taking copious notes!!!!!