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Provides an in-depth introduction to the Christian theosophic tradition that began with Jacob Bohme, bringing us into a startling new world of Christian experiential spirituality that is the Christian equivalent of Sufism and Kabbalism.
The first book in English to provide an in-depth introduction to the Christian theosophic tradition that began with Jacob Bohme, Wisdom's Children brings us into a startling new world of experiential spirituality that is in fact the Christian equivalent of Sufism and Kabbalism. With biographic introductions to major theosophers and detailed discussions of theosophic authors such as John Pordage, Jane Leade, Dionysius Freher, and Johann Gichtel-as well as a survey of their major theosophic cosmological and metaphysical teachings-this book is an indispensable guide to the hidden history of Protestantism and its ramifications today.
With chapters discussing theosophy in relation to Gnosticism, magic, astrology, alchemy, and other Western esoteric traditions, Wisdom's Children is situated solidly in its historical context using primary works from the tradition itself. The book also provides unexpected insights into how this modern gnostic tradition speaks to us today, and suggests how this tradition could spark a "new Renaissance" to link spirituality, the arts, and the sciences in a new and encompassing vision.
"Wisdom's Children fills a major gap in the history of religion. It sympathetically introduces information and thought about a highly important and much neglected strand of modern Western spiritual philosophy."—Jacob Needleman, San Francisco State University
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Part One: History
1. Böhme
2. Johann Georg Gichtel and His Circle
3. The Visionary Science of Dr. John Pordage
4. Jane Leade, the Philadelphians, and the Doctrine of Universal Restoration
5.Dionysius Andreas Freher, Allen Leppington, and William Law
6. Johannes Kelpius and Pennsylvania Theosophy
7. Christopher Walton and His Theosophic College
Part Two: The Cycle of Foundational Doctrines
Introduction
8. The Divine Nature
9. The Divine Emanation of Worlds
10. The Fall of Lucifer, Humanity, and Nature
11. Spiritual Regeneration
12. Angelology and Paradise
Conclusion
Part Three: The Art of the Soul's Transmutation
13. The Science of Imagination
14. The Eye in the Heart
15. The Physiology of the Soul
16. Turning Wrath into Love
17. Penetrating the Merely Astral
Part Four: Contexts
18. Theosophy and Gnosticism
19. Alchemy and Theosophy
20. Theosophy and Chivalry
21. Theosophy, Herbal Medicine, Magic, and Astrolog
Part Five: Implications
22. Theosophy and Modern Science
23. Toward a New Psychology
24. Hierohistory and Metahistory
25. Revelation, Authority, and the Apostolic Tradition
Conclusion
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index