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Mystical theology is the branch of theology in the Christian tradition that deals with divine encounter[1] and the self-communication of God with the faithful;[2] such as to explain mystical practices and states, as induced by contemplative practices such as contemplative prayer, called theoria from the Greek for contemplation.
It can be contrasted to an extent with propositional theology e.g., systematic theology, dogmatic theology, scholastic theology, ecclesiology or treated as their forerunner: its subject and aim is not knowledge but divine encounter.
- ^ "Mystical theology explores and interprets every doctrine to help believers find there a doorway into a living, transformative encounter with the divine reality to which, Christians believe, their theological language is meant to point." Introduction, McIntosh, Mark A. (25 February 2020). "Mystical Theology at the Heart of Theology". The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology: 1–5. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198722380.002.
- ^ "Understood in its ancient expansive sense, mystical theology is not a sub-discipline, attending to particular states of spiritual experience; rather it is the Christian theological mind itself whenever it seeks to recognize and understand more deeply the hidden (i.e. mystical) self-communication of God in all things, at work to achieve their reconciling, healing, and perfecting, their greatest possible participation in God. " Abstract, McIntosh, Mark A. (25 February 2020). "Mystical Theology at the Heart of Theology". The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198722380.013.2.