The Mystical Theology and The Cloud of Unknowing with Julie Parker (5 Session Course)

How all created things come into being and are sustained, and how we might know and properly speak of their Source – these were among the deepest theological subjects treated in the writings of Dionysius the Areopagite. His writings represent sincere attempts to give expression to those mysteries, and for a thousand years they were studied and venerated by generations of mystics and theologians. Dionysius’ name is barely known now, even among those with an interest in such subjects, yet this was not always so. ‘It is hardly possible’ says Evelyn Underhill ‘to underestimate the influence of this Father of Christian Mysticism. At one time “St Deonise saith” was sufficient authority in itself.’

This 5-session course will explore the subject of ‘unknowing’ and ‘unsaying’ in two connected works: The Mystical Theology of Dionysius the Areopagite and in The Cloud of Unknowing.

Inspired by The Mystical Theology, the anonymous author of The Cloud produced an English version of that work entitled Deonise Hid Divinite, which we will also consider.

Facilitator: Julie Parker

This is a 5-session weekly online course (using Zoom)

Starting on Friday 22nd May 2020

10:30 – 11:45 BST

Course fee: £40

Image: The Cloud 1912 Alvin Langdon Coburn © The Universal Order