An Explorer's Guide to Julian of Norwich (Explorer’s Guides)
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."
Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love is truly an astounding work: an inspired example of Christian mysticism, a unique contribution to Christian theology, the first book in English known to have been written by a woman.
But it can also be a daunting work. Veronica Mary Rolf, who has been studying Julian's text for decades, serves as a trustworthy guide for readers willing to take up and read Julian's work.
Rolf not only sets Julian's life and text in its fourteenth-century context, but she also sheds light on each of Julian's sixteen revelations. She then digs deeper into Julian's theological themes, including her innovative mystical theology of the "motherhood of God," and she offers a chapter on developing a retreat based on Julian's work. Throughout, Rolf takes a deeply contemplative approach to Julian, illuminating our understanding of this extraordinary woman, her enduring work, and the revelation that "all shall be well."
- Reveals the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Julian of Norwich
- Instructs in the centrality of the Trinity, the nature of sin and grace, God’s providence, and suffering and prayer
- Enables to travel back in time and vividly inhabit Julian’s fourteenth-century Norwich as well as her remarkable life and writings
Getting to Know Julian of Norwich
- Why Julian Now?
- Who Was Julian?
- Intriguing Questions About Julian
- A Brief History of Julian's Texts
- Glossary of Julian’s Terms
Exploring Julia's Revelations of Divine Love
- A Guided Tour of Julian's Revelations
- Digging Deeper into Julian's Themes
- A Retreat with Julian's Revelations
- For Further Exploration
Rolf plumbs Julian's spiritual audacity in this must-read for those interested in medieval Christianity and literature.
—Publishers Weekly starred review
The grand and optimistic vision of Lady Julian is fully presented and profoundly supported in this excellent guide by Veronica Mary Rolf. I have been fed for many years by Julian, but this is a new and generous feeding. It can serve as a first-time introduction to this marvelous mystic or a fifth-time deeper journey.
—Richard Rohr, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rolf’s work is more than an informative guide by an expert in Julian scholarship. The reader begins to feel the heartbeat of this great mystic as the author works around key texts and highlights choice quotations. This could only have come from someone who is intimately acquainted with her. Whether one is a first-time or seasoned explorer, this book will not disappoint.
—Simon Chan, Trinity Theological College, Singapore
Veronica Mary Rolf skillfully reveals the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Julian of Norwich. In our renewed interest in the writings of Christian spirituality, Lady Julian can instruct us in the centrality of the Trinity, the nature of sin and grace, God’s providence, and suffering and prayer. Rolf serves as a wise and gentle guide to illuminate both first time and seasoned readers. This book is deeply learned and highly practical.
—Tom Schwanda, associate professor of Christian formation and ministry at Wheaton College