Sarah Coakley, the 2025-2026 McDonald Chair, delivers the first of two lectures examining mystical theology on October 15, 2025.
In her two public McDonald Lectures, Coakley will explore why it is that “mysticism” is still a matter that fascinates many, both inside and outside the churches. The 20th century saw the development of several influential theories of mysticism that strongly distorted the goals of classic Christian “mystical theology,” while nonetheless also adding new insights which endure. Lecture I will critically compare the theories of William James, Ernst Troeltsch and Michel de Certeau, and reflect on what aspects of their work are still important in today’s context. Lecture II will probe the origins of “Mystical Theology” in the patristic period and beyond, and compare its demanding ascetical vision with current perceptions of mysticism in the churches and wider culture. Coakley proposes that classic apophatic “contemplation” has, today, a very particular challenge and application to our current political world circumstances.