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Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

Published

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Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender. / Smith, Janet.
Lancaster University, 2025. 205 p.

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

Harvard

Smith, J 2025, 'Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender', PhD, Lancaster University. https://doi.org/10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652

APA

Smith, J. (2025). Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender. [Doctoral Thesis, Lancaster University]. Lancaster University. https://doi.org/10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652

Vancouver

Smith J. Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender. Lancaster University, 2025. 205 p. doi: 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652

Author

Smith, Janet. / Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender. Lancaster University, 2025. 205 p.

Bibtex

@phdthesis{06140f2fded84bfcaf72b3648fd1119b,
title = "Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender",
abstract = "In my thesis I am arguing for an inclusivist image of the Christian Divine which leads towards a spiritual notion of identity. The aim of my argument is to contradict, from a Christian point of view, exclusionary attitudes from fundamentalist Christian churches and groups towards queer people, but also to challenge queer-feminist criticisms on Christian beliefs. Possibly facingdiscrimination from both sides, queer people who also identify as Christian, find themselves caught between the worlds. As objections from either side rely on a dualistic, hierarchal, and patriarchal image of the Divine, I want to tackle this issue by dealing with underlying theological dimensions. In my work I am referring to the German medieval theologian Meister Eckhart and the Spanishearly modern Doctor of the Church Teresa of {\'A}vila. By relating Eckhart's notion of the 'Ground of the Soul' and Teresa's notion of the 'Innermost Centre of the Soul' to Paul Tillich's notion of the 'self', I am attempting to develop a concept of the self which is based on a unified identity with the Divine. This notion not only evokes an existentialist courage to embrace creativity and diversity of life, but also, following Dorothee S{\"o}lle's interpretations of mystical theology, entails potential for spiritual empowerment and resistance. This can be seen as a firststep towards a fearless encounter with Gender Theory and, in consequence, opens ways for Christian and queer journeys of life, based on equality, justice, and love.",
author = "Janet Smith",
year = "2025",
doi = "10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652",
language = "English",
publisher = "Lancaster University",
school = "Lancaster University",

}

RIS

TY - BOOK

T1 - Between Determination and Liberation - Rethinking Christian Mystical Theology and the Relation between Existence, the Self, and Gender

AU - Smith, Janet

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - In my thesis I am arguing for an inclusivist image of the Christian Divine which leads towards a spiritual notion of identity. The aim of my argument is to contradict, from a Christian point of view, exclusionary attitudes from fundamentalist Christian churches and groups towards queer people, but also to challenge queer-feminist criticisms on Christian beliefs. Possibly facingdiscrimination from both sides, queer people who also identify as Christian, find themselves caught between the worlds. As objections from either side rely on a dualistic, hierarchal, and patriarchal image of the Divine, I want to tackle this issue by dealing with underlying theological dimensions. In my work I am referring to the German medieval theologian Meister Eckhart and the Spanishearly modern Doctor of the Church Teresa of Ávila. By relating Eckhart's notion of the 'Ground of the Soul' and Teresa's notion of the 'Innermost Centre of the Soul' to Paul Tillich's notion of the 'self', I am attempting to develop a concept of the self which is based on a unified identity with the Divine. This notion not only evokes an existentialist courage to embrace creativity and diversity of life, but also, following Dorothee Sölle's interpretations of mystical theology, entails potential for spiritual empowerment and resistance. This can be seen as a firststep towards a fearless encounter with Gender Theory and, in consequence, opens ways for Christian and queer journeys of life, based on equality, justice, and love.

AB - In my thesis I am arguing for an inclusivist image of the Christian Divine which leads towards a spiritual notion of identity. The aim of my argument is to contradict, from a Christian point of view, exclusionary attitudes from fundamentalist Christian churches and groups towards queer people, but also to challenge queer-feminist criticisms on Christian beliefs. Possibly facingdiscrimination from both sides, queer people who also identify as Christian, find themselves caught between the worlds. As objections from either side rely on a dualistic, hierarchal, and patriarchal image of the Divine, I want to tackle this issue by dealing with underlying theological dimensions. In my work I am referring to the German medieval theologian Meister Eckhart and the Spanishearly modern Doctor of the Church Teresa of Ávila. By relating Eckhart's notion of the 'Ground of the Soul' and Teresa's notion of the 'Innermost Centre of the Soul' to Paul Tillich's notion of the 'self', I am attempting to develop a concept of the self which is based on a unified identity with the Divine. This notion not only evokes an existentialist courage to embrace creativity and diversity of life, but also, following Dorothee Sölle's interpretations of mystical theology, entails potential for spiritual empowerment and resistance. This can be seen as a firststep towards a fearless encounter with Gender Theory and, in consequence, opens ways for Christian and queer journeys of life, based on equality, justice, and love.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2652

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -