{"title":"Michael Bernard Kelly","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichael Bernard Kelly’s work delves into the intersections of faith, identity, and spirituality, offering insightful explorations of Christian mysticism through fresh and often unconventional perspectives. His writing invites readers to contemplate spirituality in relation to contemporary social and cultural themes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a thoughtful and nuanced approach, Kelly’s books challenge traditional boundaries, making them essential reading for those interested in the complexities of religion and the lived experience of faith in the modern world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"christian-mysticisms-queer-flame-by-michael-bernard-kelly-9781138562127","title":"Christian Mysticism’s Queer Flame","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIs the Christian mystical tradition a relic of another time, shaped by celibates for celibates, unable to engage meaningfully with people of our time who embrace their corporeality and sexuality as crucial aspects of their journey towards union with God? \u003cem\u003eChristian Mysticism’s Queer Flame\u003c\/em\u003e reflects in serious theological depth and detail on the spiritual and sexual journeys of gay men of mature and committed Christian faith, employing the Christian mystical tradition as the lens and the interlocutor in this process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis study examines the major themes and stages of the mystical tradition as outlined by Evelyn Underhill, but also includes more recent work by Ruth Burrows, Thomas Merton and Constance Fitzgerald. Using methods of qualitative research, it considers the texts of in-depth interviews conducted with men, most of whom are theologians or spiritual leaders with a deep Catholic faith, and all of whom are openly, self-affirmingly gay. Finally, it employs Ricoeur’s hermeneutical theory to engage in a creative theological conversation between the traditional mystical stages and themes and these men’s lives, as described in their interviews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a unique study that brings together ancient spirituality with contemporary lived religion. As such, it will be of interest to scholars of religious studies, theology, Christian mysticism and spirituality, and queer studies. It will be of particular interest to those who teach spiritual direction and to all who seek new ways to engage with the spiritual lives of LGBTIQ+ people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Taylor \u0026 Francis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47605227389164,"sku":"9781138562127","price":341.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781138562127-christian-mysticism-s-queer-flame.jpg?v=1778127202"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/michael-bernard-kelly.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}