The Characteristics of Divine Love from the Viewpoint of St. John of the Cross

Subject Areas : Christianity

ابوالفضل محمودی ¹ (ندارد)
لیلا رضایی ² (ندارد)

Received: 2014-10-18 Accepted : 2014-10-18 Published : 2008-09-22

Keywords: Divine Love, St. John of the Cross, Christian mysticism,

Abstract :

Divine love is the cornerstone of John's mystical life. His heart wassurrounded by the flame of love, so much so that every teaching in hismind was strongly connected to it. He believed that by transformationof soul into the divine love, it achieves all virtues and could be able toreceive God's epiphanies. On the other hand, the spiritual itinerarycould not come to an end without love. Thus love is both the way andthe goal of the mystical journey. For John, love is the bearer of blissand knowledge and brings about the unity of the lover and the beloved.He emphasized the annihilation of oneself in Christ, so that the truelover for him is one who abandons his will to the Lord.