An anthology of the love of God
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An anthology of the love of God
Evelyn Underhill's 1976 anthology, An anthology of the love of God, offers a thoughtful, if somewhat conventional, survey of devotional literature focused on divine affection. Underhill, known for her seminal work *Mysticism*, here presents a selection that clearly aims to showcase the spectrum of ecstatic union and spiritual yearning. The strength lies in its curation, bringing together voices that might otherwise remain siloed. However, the collection, while illuminating, occasionally feels constrained by its focus, perhaps missing opportunities to draw more explicit parallels with non-Christian traditions of divine love that Underhill might have known. A particular strength is the selection from Bernard of Clairvaux, whose passionate prose vividly illustrates the concept of *amor Dei* (love of God) as a driving force in the spiritual life. The editorial voice, though subtle, guides the reader toward a specific interpretation of spiritual attainment. It is a solid, if not revolutionary, compilation for those steeped in Christian contemplative thought.
📝 Description
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Evelyn Underhill compiled An anthology of the love of God, first published in 1976.
This collection gathers writings on divine love, compiled by Evelyn Underhill. It presents selections that show how this love has been experienced and expressed across history. The texts within focus on the human desire for the divine, the feeling of union with God, and the power of spiritual commitment.
Underhill, known for her work on Christian mysticism, assembled these pieces to shed light on the varied ways people have encountered and articulated divine love. The anthology addresses the spiritual path as a progression away from self toward unity with God. It touches upon themes of deification, or *theosis*, and the role of grace in this process. The collection is for those interested in contemplative traditions, particularly within Christianity, but also for anyone seeking a wider view of spiritual love across different faiths. It serves scholars of religion, those in theological study, or anyone philosophically exploring ultimate reality.
Evelyn Underhill's anthology situates itself within the Christian mystical tradition, a lineage concerned with direct, experiential knowledge of God. It draws upon centuries of thought that explore the soul's relationship with the divine, moving beyond dogma to the inner life. The texts reflect a desire for *theosis*, the concept of participating in the divine nature, often understood as a process of transformation through love and grace. Underhill, a significant interpreter of this tradition, made these often complex ideas accessible, connecting them to broader currents of religious experience and philosophical inquiry.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into the historical development of Christian contemplative prayer, specifically through selections that illustrate the concept of *amor Dei* as articulated in medieval monasticism. • Understand the spiritual trajectory presented by Evelyn Underhill, focusing on the journey towards *theosis* (deification) as a process of divine union, detailed in her selections. • Explore diverse expressions of divine love, from the ecstatic pronouncements of mystics to the quiet devotion described in texts from the 17th century, offering a comparative view within a specific tradition.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of Evelyn Underhill's An anthology of the love of God?
The book primarily focuses on exploring various expressions and experiences of divine love within Christian mystical and devotional traditions. It collects texts illustrating spiritual yearning, union with the divine, and the transformative power of God's love.
When was An anthology of the love of God first published?
An anthology of the love of God was first published in 1976. This was significantly later than many of Evelyn Underhill's own influential works on mysticism.
What are some key concepts discussed in the anthology?
Key concepts include *theosis* (deification), the spiritual journey towards union with God, divine transcendence and immanence, surrender in love, and the ecstatic experience of God's presence.
Who was Evelyn Underhill and why is her work significant?
Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was a respected English writer and scholar of Christian mysticism. Her original works, like *Mysticism* (1911), were foundational in making these esoteric traditions accessible to a wider audience.
Does this anthology include writings from non-Christian traditions?
While Evelyn Underhill's focus was primarily on Christian mysticism, the anthology's exploration of divine love might offer parallels or points of comparison for readers interested in similar themes in other religious traditions, though explicit non-Christian selections are not its core.
What is the historical context of this 1976 publication?
Published in 1976, the anthology tapped into a resurgence of interest in spirituality and contemplative practices that followed the cultural shifts of the 1960s, building upon the academic and popular reception of mysticism studies.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Nature of Divine Love
This anthology looks at the complex nature of divine love, presenting it not merely as an abstract theological concept but as a palpable, transformative force. The texts explore love as both a divine attribute and a human aspiration, a yearning that draws the soul towards God. Underhill's selections highlight love as the central axis of the spiritual life, manifesting as passionate devotion, obedient service, and ultimately, ecstatic union. It examines how this love is both a gift from the divine and a response cultivated within the human heart, shaping the entirety of existence for the devotee.
The Spiritual Journey
Central to the anthology is the concept of the spiritual journey, often depicted as a progression towards deeper union with the divine. Underhill gathers writings that chart the soul's path through various stages, from initial awakening and purification to profound illumination and the final consummation of love. This journey is portrayed as an active, dynamic process requiring surrender, discipline, and an openness to God's grace. The texts illustrate how this movement is not linear but often involves intense inner struggle and profound moments of divine encounter.
Mystical Union and Theosis
A significant theme is the exploration of mystical union, the apex of the spiritual journey where the soul experiences profound communion with God. This is often framed within the concept of *theosis* or deification, the idea that through divine love and grace, human beings can participate in the divine nature. The anthology presents accounts of ecstatic experiences, the dissolution of the self in the Beloved, and the profound peace and fulfillment found in such union. It showcases how mystics across different eras perceived this ultimate goal of spiritual life.
Devotion and Contemplation
The anthology underscores the practices of devotion and contemplation as essential pathways to experiencing divine love. It collects writings that detail methods of prayer, meditation, and interior reflection aimed at cultivating a direct, personal relationship with God. These texts emphasize the importance of silence, attentiveness, and the surrender of the intellect to the heart's intuitive apprehension of the divine. The focus is on cultivating an inner disposition receptive to God's presence and love, transforming daily life into a continuous act of worship.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The love of God is the key that unlocks the door of the soul.”
— This aphorism suggests that divine love is the essential element required for spiritual awakening and liberation. It implies that through cultivating or receiving divine love, one can access the deepest truths of one's own being and attain spiritual freedom.
“Union with God is not a loss of self, but a perfect fulfillment of it.”
— This statement addresses a common misconception that spiritual union leads to annihilation. Instead, it posits that true union enhances and actualizes the self, bringing it to its highest potential through connection with the Divine source.
“The path to God is paved with surrender.”
— This emphasizes the necessity of relinquishing personal will, ego, and attachments. It suggests that the spiritual journey is fundamentally about letting go of self-centered desires and allowing divine will to guide one's life.
“In loving God, we find our true selves.”
— This highlights the reciprocal nature of divine love. By directing our love towards the ultimate reality, we discover our authentic identity, which is seen as inherently connected to and derived from God.
“Contemplation is the art of listening to the Beloved.”
— This definition frames contemplative prayer not as an act of speaking or petitioning, but as a receptive state of inner quietude. It emphasizes attentiveness to the subtle presence and guidance of the Divine within the soul.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This anthology primarily sits within the Western esoteric tradition, specifically Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality. It draws heavily on the rich heritage of monasticism and the writings of figures like Bernard of Clairvaux and the mystics of the Rhine. While not explicitly Kabbalistic or Hermetic, it shares with these traditions a focus on direct experience of the divine, the journey of the soul, and the transformative power of love, viewing God as the ultimate principle of reality.
Symbolism
The anthology frequently engages with symbols of divine presence and union. The 'Beloved' serves as a central symbolic representation of God, eliciting passionate love and devotion from the seeker. Fire is often employed to symbolize the purifying and transformative nature of divine love, consuming ego and useful the soul. Light, a common symbol across mystical traditions, represents divine truth, presence, and the ultimate illumination achieved in union.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary interest in mindfulness, contemplative practices, and the integration of spirituality into daily life echoes themes present in Underhill's anthology. Thinkers and practitioners involved in soul-making, depth psychology, and eco-spirituality often draw upon historical mystical texts to understand the human longing for connection and transcendence. The anthology remains relevant for those seeking to ground modern spiritual exploration in established traditions of divine love and contemplative practice.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of Christian mysticism: Those seeking to understand the historical development and key figures of Christian contemplative prayer will find a valuable curated selection. • Spiritual seekers interested in divine love: Individuals exploring the concept of love as a central force in spiritual life and seeking devotional texts will benefit from this anthology. • Scholars of religion and comparative spirituality: Researchers examining the expression of ultimate concerns and divine union across different historical periods within a specific tradition will find foundational texts.
📜 Historical Context
Evelyn Underhill's *An anthology of the love of God*, published in 1976, arrived at a time when the study of mysticism and esoteric traditions was gaining academic traction, partly as a reaction to the perceived materialism of the post-war era. Underhill herself, who had published her seminal *Mysticism* in 1911, was a bridge between early 20th-century spiritual inquiry and the later resurgence of interest. This anthology reflects a continued engagement with Christian contemplative thought, a field that had seen figures like Thomas Merton actively explore monastic traditions and interfaith dialogue. While the academic study of religion expanded, works like this provided curated access to historical devotional texts, contrasting with the more philosophical approaches of thinkers like Martin Heidegger or existentialist religious writers who were also prominent. The reception of such works often appealed to a readership seeking direct spiritual experience rather than purely intellectual engagement.
📔 Journal Prompts
Reflect on the concept of *amor Dei* as presented in the selections from Bernard of Clairvaux.
Consider the stages of the spiritual journey outlined in the anthology's texts.
Analyze the symbolism of light as a representation of divine union in the chosen excerpts.
Explore the paradoxes of divine love discussed in the anthology's framework.
How does the concept of surrender function as a prerequisite for mystical union in these writings?
🗂️ Glossary
Theosis
A core concept in Eastern Orthodox and some Western Christian theology, referring to the process of becoming like God, or achieving divine likeness, through grace and spiritual practice. It is seen as the ultimate goal of the spiritual life.
Amor Dei
Latin for 'love of God.' It refers to the profound, often passionate, love and devotion directed towards the divine, considered a central virtue and driving force in the spiritual life by many Christian mystics.
Contemplation
A form of prayer or spiritual practice characterized by deep reflection, inward focus, and a receptive stillness aimed at direct, intuitive experience of God or ultimate reality.
Mystical Union
The state of profound and intimate communion between the soul and the Divine, often described as a merging or oneness, where the individual experiences God directly and transcends ordinary consciousness.
Spiritual Journey
The path or progression undertaken by an individual seeking spiritual growth, enlightenment, or union with the Divine. It typically involves stages of purification, illumination, and union.
Divine Immanence
The belief that God is present and active within the created world and within individuals, as opposed to being solely transcendent or separate from creation.
Divine Transcendence
The belief that God exists beyond the material universe and is not limited by space, time, or physical laws; God is fundamentally other than creation.
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