Dionysisus the Areopagite on the Divine Names and the Mystical Theology

Description

A new reprint of an excellent and previously hard-to-find translation of a foundational work of Christian mysticism THE DIVINE NAMES and THE MYSTICAL THEOLOGY were written by a theologian who professed to be St. Paul's Athenian convert, Dionysius. The translator A.E. Rolt, however, places him in the time of Proclus, in the 5th century AD. These works of Neo-Platonic Christian mysticism had an important influence on the early church and other Western esoteric orders and continue to be essential in the serious study of theology. Within these writings are the doctrine of the Super-Essential Godhead, its relation to creation, a discussion on the nature of evil and a guide to the path of contemplation. Rolt provides a clear introduction to the Areopagite's writings, considers his relevance to modern philosophy and the psychology of contemplation, and outlines the scriptural basis of his doctrines. Throughout Rolt provides informative notes on the translation with cross-references to scripture and other important texts.

The translator C. E. Rolt was born in the 1880's. At the age of 14, he came under the mentorship of W. J. Sparrow-Simpson, who sent him to King's College School, and later he attended Queen's College at Oxford, where he was awarded the Liddon Studentship The preface has been newly written by Alan Armstrong, an acknowledged expert on the Golden Dawn.