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Roots of Christian Mysticism: Texts from Patristic Era with Commentary
Discover the core of the Christian spiritual experience. Newman compared the early history of the Church to the opening chords of a symphony when the subjects that will later be brought out one
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
117 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Olivier Clément
111 books42 followersOlivier Clément was a French theologian and convert to Orthodox Christianity who taught at St. Sergius Institute in Paris.
He was born in 1921 in the south of France. In his youth he was a non-believer. As he grew to maturity, he became influenced by a number of Orthodox theologians in France, notably Vladimir Lossky and Nicholas Berdiaev, eventually receiving baptism at the hands of Fr Evgraph Kovalesvky, later Bishop Jean-Nectaire of Saint-Denis.
Although a committed school teacher, Clément was most devoted to his work at the St Sergius Institute and to his writing. His work was wide-ranging — from poetry to literary criticism, philosophy to theology, and extended to book-length interviews with figures such as Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and one of his successors, Bartholomew.
The most widely distributed of Clément's many books was perhaps his introductory work on the Orthodox Church in the popular Que sais-je? series, first published in 1961 and now in its seventh edition.
Clément also enjoyed friendship and entered into dialogues on major spiritual themes with a number of imminent personalities including Patriarch Athenagoras, Pope John Paul II, the priest and theologian Dumitru Staniloae, and the brother Roger of Taizé.
Modest, kindly and balanced, and supported faithfully by his wife Monique, Clément worked selflessly to unite Christians of different backgrounds, to unite France’s various Orthodox communities, and to inspire readers and listeners with a love of the Orthodox tradition which, he believed, would enrich the whole Church.
He was born in 1921 in the south of France. In his youth he was a non-believer. As he grew to maturity, he became influenced by a number of Orthodox theologians in France, notably Vladimir Lossky and Nicholas Berdiaev, eventually receiving baptism at the hands of Fr Evgraph Kovalesvky, later Bishop Jean-Nectaire of Saint-Denis.
Although a committed school teacher, Clément was most devoted to his work at the St Sergius Institute and to his writing. His work was wide-ranging — from poetry to literary criticism, philosophy to theology, and extended to book-length interviews with figures such as Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and one of his successors, Bartholomew.
The most widely distributed of Clément's many books was perhaps his introductory work on the Orthodox Church in the popular Que sais-je? series, first published in 1961 and now in its seventh edition.
Clément also enjoyed friendship and entered into dialogues on major spiritual themes with a number of imminent personalities including Patriarch Athenagoras, Pope John Paul II, the priest and theologian Dumitru Staniloae, and the brother Roger of Taizé.
Modest, kindly and balanced, and supported faithfully by his wife Monique, Clément worked selflessly to unite Christians of different backgrounds, to unite France’s various Orthodox communities, and to inspire readers and listeners with a love of the Orthodox tradition which, he believed, would enrich the whole Church.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 9, 2013
I first read this book for a graduate class in Early Christianity at SLU in fall 2008. If I had to "blame" a single work for making me fall hopelessly in love with theology in general and patristics in particular, I would choose The Roots of Christian Mysticism.
Why? Clément not only demonstrates a masterful command of primary sources, but provides commentary illuminating the fact that the early Church's greatest theologians viewed theology as a way of life. That is, for the Fathers of the Church, "doing theology" was a rigorous intellectual pursuit, which was also inseparable from a life of prayer, faithful Christian living, and communion with the Church. Clément was among the first to introduce me to the idea of authentic theological inquiry as requiring the synthesis of mind (intellect) and heart (affections), a notion which would be more thoroughly fleshed-out for me in the works of Augustine and Bonaventure.
For example, Clément writes:
"Prayer and theology are inseparable. True theology is the adoration offered by the intellect. The intellect clarifies the movement of prayer, but only prayer can give it the fervor of the Spirit. Theology is light, prayer is fire. Their union expresses the union of the intellect and the heart. But it is the intellect that must 'repose' in the heart, and theology must transcend it in love."
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the Fathers, which are made much more accessible to young students thanks to Clément's thoughtful presentation of primary texts and his own commentary.
Why? Clément not only demonstrates a masterful command of primary sources, but provides commentary illuminating the fact that the early Church's greatest theologians viewed theology as a way of life. That is, for the Fathers of the Church, "doing theology" was a rigorous intellectual pursuit, which was also inseparable from a life of prayer, faithful Christian living, and communion with the Church. Clément was among the first to introduce me to the idea of authentic theological inquiry as requiring the synthesis of mind (intellect) and heart (affections), a notion which would be more thoroughly fleshed-out for me in the works of Augustine and Bonaventure.
For example, Clément writes:
"Prayer and theology are inseparable. True theology is the adoration offered by the intellect. The intellect clarifies the movement of prayer, but only prayer can give it the fervor of the Spirit. Theology is light, prayer is fire. Their union expresses the union of the intellect and the heart. But it is the intellect that must 'repose' in the heart, and theology must transcend it in love."
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the Fathers, which are made much more accessible to young students thanks to Clément's thoughtful presentation of primary texts and his own commentary.
June 21, 2020
One of my absolutely favourite Christian books, one that I've read and dipped into more times than I remember. It's a collection of texts, mostly from the Fathers of the Eastern Christian Church, with commentary by Clement. The selections are arranged to cover the themes of God the Trinity, the Christian life, the Church, the Sacraments, prayer: a compendium of Christian teaching which is not abstract and theoretical, but deeply real and practical.
Whenever I'm feeling spiritually down in the dumps, or that I've strayed from the Way a bit, these pages are the best thing I know to bring me back to where I want to be.
Whenever I'm feeling spiritually down in the dumps, or that I've strayed from the Way a bit, these pages are the best thing I know to bring me back to where I want to be.
March 31, 2024
This was a very good book, but be prepared. It is not a light read. I liken it to a theologically dense devotional because that's how I had to approach it, only being able to read a few pages at a time.
The author covers a wide range of topics, from anthropology to sacraments to hesychasm. Really good stuff. I loved his approach. He would introduce a topic, quote a Church Father, or Fathers, at length, and then expound on their meaning with a bit of commentary, giving our ancestors a vote but not allowing the reader to get lost, which can happen to us moderns when reading the ancients. This book is a great example of how Orthodoxy does theology.
The author covers a wide range of topics, from anthropology to sacraments to hesychasm. Really good stuff. I loved his approach. He would introduce a topic, quote a Church Father, or Fathers, at length, and then expound on their meaning with a bit of commentary, giving our ancestors a vote but not allowing the reader to get lost, which can happen to us moderns when reading the ancients. This book is a great example of how Orthodoxy does theology.
February 21, 2023
Denna bok är anledningen till att jag läst färre böcker senaste tiden. Anledningarna är två:
1) jag måste läsa den långsamt
2) jag vill inte läsa något annat
Och jag misstänker att en tredje punkt kommer påverka framtiden
3) jag behöver läsa den direkt igen
1) jag måste läsa den långsamt
2) jag vill inte läsa något annat
Och jag misstänker att en tredje punkt kommer påverka framtiden
3) jag behöver läsa den direkt igen
October 27, 2012
An dense, but enjoyable book, written from an Eastern Orthodox view. It bears several of the positive marks of Orthodoxy- an ability to explain the Trinity in a way that makes it matter, an attention to mystery and mysticism without the schism or mist and a real sense of tradition going back to the Bible, through the Fathers which remains viable today.
Clement presents his theology in the form of patristic citations on particular issues in which each citations is followed by short reflections. That is refreshingly different from Western theology, but can be distracting if you're not familiar with the authors.
Roots of Christian mysticism is well worth the effort and should bring real insights into the mystery and wonder of Christianity.
Clement presents his theology in the form of patristic citations on particular issues in which each citations is followed by short reflections. That is refreshingly different from Western theology, but can be distracting if you're not familiar with the authors.
Roots of Christian mysticism is well worth the effort and should bring real insights into the mystery and wonder of Christianity.
April 23, 2012
After six years of theology, this book ignited a new passion in me for the Fathers of the Church. Very well presented, organized, and the commentaries are much more than commentaries. They really extract the common stuff of the fathers and make it apparent for the reader.
December 10, 2013
I've read this book 3 times and think it is about the best single book on encountering and understanding Orthodox theology and practice.
June 9, 2024
“Jesus…instructs with benevolence those who set themselves against the divine teaching. For the ignorant need to be instructed, not punished. You do not strike a blind man; you take him by the hand to lead him”.
October 30, 2010
This book has become a touchstone for me. I can fairly say that it prompted a kind of conversion in me. I have since my reading of this book gone back to the Church Fathers and find them now hugely inspiring. They have become cherished mentors from beyond the grave. In seminary we read some patristic texts, but I have to say our teachers did not fully understand these people, and therefore presented them half-heartedly and deceptively. First, the Church Fathers are (for the most part) above all men of prayer, mystics, and ascetics. These things are inseparable in their world. If you have not grasped this, you will not understand what they are talking about. Second, they are heavily influenced by Platonism and Neoplatonism. You cannot read them as an Aristotelian materialist or you will miss what they are getting at.
For any who wish to immerse themselves in the life of Christian meditation and mysticism, this text is essential.
For any who wish to immerse themselves in the life of Christian meditation and mysticism, this text is essential.
May 18, 2014
Wonderful book on the early Christian writers interpreted through the Eastern Orthodox tradition. I absolutely loved this book. We have a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Church.
October 25, 2014
Very dense and slow to read. Filled with excellent quotes. The section on loving enemies was incredible.
December 19, 2020
This book has been and will be an extremely influential resource for me. I think it opened my eyes to a new way of seeing the Christian tradition generally.
I have already been benefited by the contemplative and mystic wings of the tradition, but they've been of a more modern twist. Whether Rohr or Merton or others, there's much intersection with new age ideas, Hinduism/Buddhism, and modern science.
Clement demonstrates, however, that much of this intersection goes much deeper than you might have previously thought. Conceptions of the divine were being wrestled with in the early church, such as in the Councils and theological debates of the time. However, this was parallel to monks and mystics, song writers and poets, martyrs and muses.
Not only that, but Clement does so in a masterful way, tying conceptions together with delicate thread between quotations from the early church. Topic by topic, he synthesizes and unifies the voices to a degree it's difficult to imagine improving upon it.
Clement certainly accomplishes his goal in this project and I hope to read more by him.
This, to me, should be a part of any seminal introduction to the Christian tradition. Otherwise you're only seeing in part color - this work concisely grants vivid technicolor vision.
I have already been benefited by the contemplative and mystic wings of the tradition, but they've been of a more modern twist. Whether Rohr or Merton or others, there's much intersection with new age ideas, Hinduism/Buddhism, and modern science.
Clement demonstrates, however, that much of this intersection goes much deeper than you might have previously thought. Conceptions of the divine were being wrestled with in the early church, such as in the Councils and theological debates of the time. However, this was parallel to monks and mystics, song writers and poets, martyrs and muses.
Not only that, but Clement does so in a masterful way, tying conceptions together with delicate thread between quotations from the early church. Topic by topic, he synthesizes and unifies the voices to a degree it's difficult to imagine improving upon it.
Clement certainly accomplishes his goal in this project and I hope to read more by him.
This, to me, should be a part of any seminal introduction to the Christian tradition. Otherwise you're only seeing in part color - this work concisely grants vivid technicolor vision.
September 28, 2019
How the Christian faith is practiced and understood has considerably evolved since its early days with “distortions and caricatures…constantly being hawked about.” Clement, in a very engaging way, attempts to bring to the reader’s awareness of the contemplative and mystic heritage which is inextricably a part of Christianity. With that objective, the book contains sizable segments of text written by the early Church Father with Clement’s own words to connect the passages alongside commentary. A great deal of our spiritual formation and spiritual practices a directly related to the writings and teachings of the mystic.
May 27, 2019
This is the kind of book that when you are reading it, you have to remember to breathe. Clement's ability to shed light on the mysteries of the faith make you feel as if you are discovering God, Christ, the Eucharist, the Church, prayer, etc., all for the first time. Perfect for anyone interested in exploring the great heritage of the Church Fathers.
May 22, 2022
Книга однозначно варта витраченого часу і уваги) ретельно вибрані цитати Святих Отців, і майстерно прокоментовані автором,творять унікальну книгу яка вам дуже допоможе в духовну пошуку і точно дасть відповіді га багато питань, завдяки чому чудово підійде як глибоко віруючим читачам, так і тим які «в розпізнанні».
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August 9, 2021Let’s be honest here, I’ll never finish this book. Started in my religious youth (2014, what a year), then broke my teeth trying to grind down this precious stone of scholastic wisdom. I now declare myself an earthly being, and I subscribe to earthly wisdom.
September 9, 2025
This is not a how-to book on spiritual formation and prayer; but it can certainly be an aid to one's efforts to enter more fully into the life of Christ through the activity of divine grace. Immensely learned and not an easy read. But well worth the extra effort.
December 4, 2017
This is a wonderful spiritual meditative philosophical book on the great Christina. Mystical tradition.
September 15, 2021
Amazing source for patriotic quotations.. would read again.
October 7, 2015
This is an AMAZING book! It's a wonderful introduction to a branch of Christian theology that is often overlooked and underappreciated. Rather than being an analysis or summary of the spiritual life of the church fathers, Clement simply collects a whole host of wonderful quotations and joins them smoothly together with excellent commentary. In fact, it is easy to lose track of which author one is reading because Clement's voice blends so naturally with the patristic sources. Though the text gave me a good introduction to schools of thought and theological insights, it felt much more like reading a devotional book - not exactly surprising I guess since it's mostly composed of prayers and sermons. This book will be a wonderful resource for preachers and writers because there are so many great quotes and so much eloquent rhetoric. Highly recommended for anyone looking to develop their spiritual life and understand better some of the richness of Christian spirituality.
December 12, 2013
Outstanding commentary on Patristic theology. Clement does a very good job choosing a variety of sources and includes an excellent collection of short bios along with a couple of great theological notes at the end.
Want to read
March 26, 2009Recommended by Father Bruce Wilson
February 9, 2017
Great book, I keep referring back to it. A real gem .
November 18, 2007
Wow...best book for me and my journey has taken years to digest
May 2, 2017
An incredible read, as long as extensive time is put into understanding the Eastern Framework's understanding of ontology. A lot of the book will come off as heretical if not properly understood.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews