State University of New York Press Wisdom's Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions)

Provides an in-depth introduction to the Christian theosophic tradition that began with Jacob Bohme, bringing us into a startling new world of Christian experiential spirituality that is the Christian equivalent of Sufism and Kabbalism. The first book in English to provide an in-depth introduction to the Christian theosophic tradition that began with Jacob Bohme, Wisdom's Children brings us into a startling new world of experiential spirituality that is in fact the Christian equivalent of Sufism and Kabbalism. With biographic introductions to major theosophers and detailed discussions of theosophic authors such as John Pordage, Jane Leade, Dionysius Freher, and Johann Gichtel-as well as a survey of their major theosophic cosmological and metaphysical teachings-this book is an indispensable guide to the hidden history of Protestantism and its ramifications today. With chapters discussing theosophy in relation to Gnosticism, magic, astrology, alchemy, and other Western esoteric traditions, Wisdom's Children is situated solidly in its historical context using primary works from the tradition itself. The book also provides unexpected insights into how this modern gnostic tradition speaks to us today, and suggests how this tradition could spark a "new Renaissance" to link spirituality, the arts, and the sciences in a new and encompassing vision.