The Thirst of God: Contemplating God's Love with Three Women Mystics

by Wendy Farley

"There is a rich tradition of wonderful women and other contemplatives who are great resources for thinking differently about Christianity. They emphasized divine love, human compassion, and the radical possibilities of contemplative practices. They were not afraid to criticize the church and indeed thought of their challenge as crucial to their faith. We do not have to lose faith with the beautiful wisdom of this story of intimate and compassionate love, dwelling among us and within us, if we do not want to."
--from the acknowledgments and note to readers

To those seeking a more open, progressive approach to Christian faith, the Christian past can sometimes seem like a desert, an empty space devoid of encouragement or example. Yet in the latter years of the Middle Ages a quiet flowering of a more accessible, positive approach to Christian belief took place among a group of female mystics, those who emphasized an immediate, nonhierarchical experience of the divine.

In this enlightening volume, Wendy Farley eloquently brings the work of three female mystics--Marguerite Porete, Mechthild of Magdeburg, and Julian of Norwich--into creative conversation with contemporary Christian life and thought. From alternatives to the standard, violent understandings of the atonement, to new forms of contemplation and prayer, these figures offer us relevant insights through a theology centered on God's love and compassion. Farley demonstrates how these women can help to refresh and expand our awareness of the depth of divine love that encompasses all creation and dwells in the cavern of every human heart.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2015

Reviews

[Remi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medieval Spiritual Refugees

This book opened up a world I did not know about: medieval women who felt about the dominant church and its doctrine the way, and many people I know, feel about the churches that made us spiritual refugees. These women loved God and knew that the church was not teaching God. Our ancestors in faith have been championing this struggle longer than I knew. Especially the women.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was reading about Julian of Norwich. Her theology directly opposed the atonement theology taught by the church during her time. Farley illuminates the mystical experiences of Julian and two other women medieval beguines. I found the book helpful.

[Steven Tryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating introduction to three women mystics who fundamentally challenge the way we think about the sovereign and unfailing love of God for the whole of mankind, his beloved creatures.