Original scientific paper

Ecstasy. Theses from the field of Religious Studies and theological provocations

Theresia Heimerl orcid.org/0000-0002-9429-8607 ; Institute for Religious Studies, University of Graz

Abstract

Etymologically alone, ecstasy describes a number of mental and physical states of extremity. Religious ecstasy means the immediate encounter with transcendence as referred to in many religious systems. The Old Testament knows ecstasy for the prophets, in the New Testament the Pentecostal miracle can be viewed as the first ecstatic event. In the Gospels we also encounter the negative form of ecstasy, meaning possession. In the continuing history of Christianity ecstasy as a form of divine experience largely becomes a female phenomenon, like for example within medieval love-mysticism. The criticism of ecstatic forms of religion since the enlightenment leads to questions for contemporary theology.

Keywords

ecstasy; mysticism; transcendence; Christian religious history

Hrčak ID:

134434

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/134434

Publication date:

8.2.2015.

Article data in other languages: german

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