Spiritual Marriage and - Durham e-Theses - Durham University PDF
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Durham E-Theses Soul Recreation: Spiritual Marriage and Ravishment in the Contemplative-Mystical Piety of Isaac Ambrose SCHWANDA, TOM How to cite: SCHWANDA, TOM (2009) Soul Recreation: Spiritual Marriage and Ravishment in the Contemplative-Mystical Piety of Isaac Ambrose, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/55/ Use policy Thefull-textmaybeusedand/orreproduced,andgiventothirdpartiesinanyformatormedium,withoutpriorpermissionor charge,forpersonalresearchorstudy,educational,ornot-for-pro(cid:28)tpurposesprovidedthat: • afullbibliographicreferenceismadetotheoriginalsource • alinkismadetothemetadatarecordinDurhamE-Theses • thefull-textisnotchangedinanyway Thefull-textmustnotbesoldinanyformatormediumwithouttheformalpermissionofthecopyrightholders. PleaseconsultthefullDurhamE-Thesespolicyforfurtherdetails. AcademicSupportO(cid:30)ce,DurhamUniversity,UniversityO(cid:30)ce,OldElvet,DurhamDH13HP e-mail: [email protected]: +4401913346107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 DURHAM UNIVERSITY SOUL RECREATION: SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE AND RAVISHMENT IN THE CONTEMPLATIVE- MYSTICAL PIETY OF ISAAC AMBROSE TOM SCHWANDA A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN TOTAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION NOVEMBER 2009 ABSTRACT Tom Schwanda Soul Recreation: Spiritual Marriage and Ravishment in the Contemplative-Mystical Piety of Isaac Ambrose This thesis examines the theology and piety of Isaac Ambrose (1604-1664), a moderate Lancashire Puritan minister. More specifically it raises the question about the nature of his spiritual practices and whether they reflect what Bernard McGinn calls the “mystical element” of Christianity? This research is distinctive since Ambrose has never been the primary focus of research. There are six chapters to this thesis. Chapter 1 examines the definition of three key terms: “mysticism”, “Puritanism”, and “Puritan mysticism” and then substitutes “contemplative-mystical piety” for McGinn’s mystical element since this language is more familiar to the Reformed community. A review of the literature reveals the prevalence of contemplative- mystical piety within mainstream Puritanism. Chapter 2 explores the biblical and theological foundations of union with Christ, which the Puritans often called spiritual marriage. Contrary to common perception, the Puritans encouraged intimacy and sexual enjoyment in their godly marriage that they often perceived as a reciprocal relationship with their spiritual marriage. The third chapter creates a contemplative biography of Ambrose through his diary entries and examines his relationship with God and his neighbor through his annual retreats, the struggles of his soul, serving as a physician of the soul, times of public fasting and worship, and the significance of specific places or environment to his piety. Chapter 4 narrows the focus to Ambrose’s teaching on meditation and contemplation. The influence of Bernard of Clairvaux is clearly evident as Ambrose contemplatively looks at Jesus throughout all the manifestations of Jesus’ life. The fifth chapter considers Ambrose’s use of ravishment and examines the nature, dynamics and benefits of this ambiguous term of delight and enjoyment. The final chapter moves from the seventeenth-century to the present and inquires whether Ambrose’s contemplative-mystical piety can guide contemporary Reformed Christians. That requires an examination into the resistance of Karl Barth as well as the more receptive possibility of retrieval through Herman Bavinck. This work concludes with seven principles from Ambrose to encourage those who are members of the Reformed tradition. iii CONTENTS DECLARATION viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix ABBREVIATIONS xi INTRODUCTION xii PORTRAIT OF ISAAC AMBROSE xv Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION TO PURITAN MYSTICISM 1 Defining Mysticism 4 Defining Puritanism 10 Defining Puritan Mysticism 14 Evidence of the Contemplative-Mystic Piety within Puritanism 26 Literature Review Related to Isaac Ambrose 28 Writings of Isaac Ambrose 38 The Hermeneutical Process 40 Conclusion 46 2. BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE 50 Biblical Foundations of Spiritual Marriage 52 Historical Roots of Spiritual Marriage 54 Puritan Reading and Exegesis of Scripture 59 Puritan Celebration of Godly Marriage and Sex 63 Spiritual Marriage in the Writings of the Puritans 74 Spiritual Marriage in Isaac Ambrose 87 iv Continuities and Discontinuities in the Study of Spiritual Marriage 96 3. CONTEMPLATIVE BIOGRAPHY 101 Nature and Structure of the Contemplative Biography 104 Intrapersonal Dimension: Retreats 109 Intrapersonal Dimension: Struggles of the Soul 121 Interpersonal Dimension 133 Structural Dimension 141 Geo-Environmental Dimension 153 Conclusion 161 4. ISAAC AMBROSE’S SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AND CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCES 164 Distinction Between Meditation and Contemplation 165 Isaac Ambrose’s Teaching on Meditation 167 Historical Roots of Ambrose’s Understanding of Meditation 173 Historical Roots of Contemplation in the Writings of Isaac Ambrose 178 Imagination in the Writings of Isaac Ambrose 184 Contemplation in the Writings of Isaac Ambrose 189 Contemplation in Media 191 Contemplation in Looking Unto Jesus 197 Contemplation in the Other Writings of Isaac Ambrose 208 Benefits and Effects of Contemplation 209 Conclusion 214 v 5. THE RHETORIC OF RAVISHMENT: THE LANGUAGE OF DELIGHT AND ENJOYMENT 217 Definition and Use of Ravishment in the Writing of Isaac Ambrose 219 Biblical and Historical Sources of Ravishment in Isaac Ambrose 221 Desire and Motivation 226 Autobiographical Experiences of Isaac Ambrose 235 Dynamics of Ravishment 239 Benefits and Effects of Ravishment 249 Conclusion 258 6. RESISTANCE AND RETRIEVAL 261 Seventeenth-Century Resistance to Mysticism 262 Reception of Isaac Ambrose Since the Seventeenth-Century 266 Contemporary Resistance to Contemplative-Mystical Piety within the Reformed Tradition: Karl Barth 266 unio mystica 268 Experience 271 Practices and Contemplation 276 Language of Delight and Enjoyment 291 Continuation of Barthtian Resistance to Contemplative-Mystical Experiences 282 Retrieval of Contemplative-Mystical Piety within the Reformed Tradition: Herman Bavinck 283 unio mystica 284 Experience 286 Practices and Contemplation 293 vi Language of Delight and Enjoyment 296 Retrieval of Isaac Ambrose for the Contemporary Church 299 Conclusion 313 CONCLUSION 313 APPENDIX 319 BIBLIOGRAPHY 320 vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The creation of a thesis requires a journey that involves many people. While it is impossible to recognize every individual that has contributed to this research there are a number of significant people that I would like to acknowledge. First, I am most grateful for my wife, Grace Schwanda, who faithfully supported and consistently encouraged me during the years of this research that often reduced our time together. I also thank my family and friends who encouraged me during this process. Second, I acknowledge Philip Sheldrake who has wisely guided this research. Professor Sheldrake has always provided a depth of knowledge and insight and valuable questions and feedback that have expanded my understanding and greatly improved the quality of this work. However, any errors that remain are my responsibility. Gary Sattler, my teaching partner in the Fuller Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry Cohort in Christian Spirituality, has also been a constant source of academic insight, encouragement, and support. I also acknowledge Dean and Lois Griffith, whose generous contribution created the Griffith Theological Research Foundation scholarship at Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA) that provided funding for me to undertake this study. Further, I express my deep gratitude and appreciation to Ben C. Johnson, who first encouraged me to begin this Ph.D. and as treasurer of the Griffith Theological Research Foundation encouraged me to apply for this scholarship. Additionally, I must mention my colleague and friend, Benjamin J. Boerkoel, Sr. who granted me first choice of his massive library of Puritan sources when his ix
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