Paul: Christianity’s Premier Apostolic Mystic

“Ninety years ago, Albert Schweitzer recognized that Paul was the first Christian mystic. Now, Harvey Egan has expanded and deepened the picture of Paul the mystic in this new and penetrating book, investigating the apostolic, christological, trinitarian, and ecclesiological dimensions of the mysticism of the Apostle to the Gentiles. All subsequent Christian mystics read and cited Paul, but Egan’s work shows how much Pauline themes were, indeed, foundational for later Christian mysticism. By considering Paul’s relation both to previous Jewish traditions, as well as to subsequent Christian history, Egan’s incisive work casts light both on the origins and the later story of Christian mysticism. A ground-breaking series for biblical scholars, as well as for students of mysticism.”


—Bernard McGinn, University of Chicago





“Harvey D. Egan, SJ, brings years of study and writing on the Christian mystical tradition to this rich exploration of one of the foundational sources of that tradition: Paul, apostle and mystic. Though rooted in the faith of Israel, Paul’s mysticism is his transformative consciousness of the fulfillment of God’s salvific plan in the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. Paul’s mystical consciousness animated his apostolic conviction that fulfillment in Christ is good news not only for Israel, but for all peoples, indeed for the whole of creation.”


—Robert P. Imbelli, author of Rekindling the Christic Imagination





“Father Harvey Egan is a former doctoral student of Karl Rahner, an expert in Christian mysticism, and is adept in New Testament scholarship. After reading all of his books and many of his articles over the last thirty-five years, I can vouch that in this vibrant and insightful book he will be the best guide for those desirous of understanding St. Paul’s mystical consciousness as well as the real nature of Christian mysticism.”


—Louis Roy, OP, Dominican University College, Ottawa





“I can think of no better guide to the Christian mystical tradition than Fr. Harvey Egan, SJ. Learned, prayerful, articulate, inviting, and always accessible, he is among the best of teachers.”


—James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage





“Harvey Egan has been engaged with Christian mystical traditions for much of his scholarly life. He now brings his careful scholarship and vast knowledge to a surprisingly neglected field—the mystical consciousness of the Apostle Paul recorded in his letters. Professor Egan is uniquely able to assess and interpret Paul's enigmatic references to his mystical experience and to show its relevance for Christians today.”


—Richard Clifford, SJ, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry





“I loved this book both for its emphasis on the experience Paul had on the road to Damascus as well as his urgent drive to preach the real truth that Jesus is the Risen Lord. The reader will enjoy a double gift: a solid understanding of Christian mysticism flowing from Trinitarian mystery and Paul's expression of that mystery in the corpus he left to the church. I highly recommend this book, which is the fruit of fifty years of study and prayer.”


—Lawrence S. Cunningham, University of Notre Dame





“Through keen insights into the profound mystical transformation which incorporation into Christ and his mystical body brings, Father Egan is able to explore and unveil the mystical dimensions, primarily, of St. Paul and of St. Ignatius of Loyola, perhaps the two paradigmatic mystics in action, along with some others, each reflecting and lighting up the others. A welcome, challenging, even provocative, study!”


—William Thompson-Uberuaga, emeritus professor, Duquesne University





“Professor Emeritus Harvey Egan, SJ, a premier scholar of Christian mysticism, guides the reader on an inspiring journey into biblical theology that first clarifies and illuminates the meaning of Christian mysticism, then convincingly argues that Paul is ‘Christianity’s premier apostolic mystic.’ Egan’s series, aimed at educated laity as well as clergy and students of Christian mysticism, fills a yawning need for an authoritative, orthodox understanding of mysticism as lived by Christianity’s foremost apostolic author. Along the way, Egan rescues heaven for spiritual theology by joining heaven and earth, thereby giving heaven earthly purchase in the vocabulary of Christian discipleship, as the incarnation of God in Jesus-Messiah fulfills Isaiah 65:17: ‘See, I am creating new heavens and a new earth.’ Moreover, few biblical-theological books evoke rich sociopolitical application that readers will find here.”


—David G. Schultenover, SJ, professor emeritus, Marquette University