Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton

While numerous studies have celebrated Thomas Merton's witness as an interfaith pioneer, poet, and peacemaker, there have been few systematic treatments of his Christology as such, and no sustained exploration to date of his relationship to the Russian Sophia" tradition. This book looks to Thomas Merton as a "classic" theologian of the Christian tradition from East to West, and offers an interpretation of his mature Christology, with special attention to his remarkable prose poem of 1962, Hagia Sophia. Bringing Merton's mystical-prophetic Vision fully into dialogue with contemporary Christology, Russian sophiology, and Zen, as well as figures such as John Henry Newman and Abraham Joshua Heschel, the author carefully but boldly builds the case that Sophia, the same theological eros that animated Merton's religious imagination in a period of tremendous fragmentation and violence, might infuse new vitality into our own. A study of uncommon depth and scope, inspired throughout by Merton's extraordinary catholicity. Christopher Pramuk, PhD, is assistant professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the author of two books and numerous essays, and the recipient of the Catholic Theological Society of America's 2009 Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award. "

Table of Contents:
Contents Acknowledgments   ix List of Abbreviations   xiii Preface   xvii Introduction   xxi 1 Turning toward the World: The Birth of a Mystical-Prophetic Theology   1      Christ the Center   2      Historical Jesus/Mystical Christ   4      Merton and Sophia: A Narrative Overview   11      Wisdom: The Theological Nexus   17      Merton as Mystical (or Sapiential) Theologian: Reclaiming the Whole Person   20      Sophia and the Search for Theological Form   25      Concluding Remarks   27 2 Making Old Things New: Imagination and Poetics in Theological Method   31      Revelation: Toward a Sapiential Framework   33      Theology and the Sacramental Imagination: Lessons from Newman   35      Holiness in Words: Lessons from Heschel   54      Theology and Mysticism: Reclaiming a Divine Perspective   67      Concluding Remarks   72 3 In the Belly of a Paradox: The Archaeology of Merton’s Sacramental Imagination   77      Poetics and Prophecy in Merton’s Last Decade   78      The Archaeology of Catholicity   81      Modern Consciousness vs. Wisdom Awareness   91      Sacramentum Scripturarum: Words as Sacraments   106      Theology as Memoria, Presence, and Hope   114      The Memoria of Others: Against Revelation as a Closed System   118      Love and the Naming of God: Sophia   121      Concluding Remarks   127 4 The Dawn of Wisdom: Awakening to the World and Self in Christ    131       Mentors in Wisdom   133      The Irruption of Sophia (1957–61)   152      Communion in Wisdom/Growth in Love   163      Discerning the Heart of Reality: God/Creation/Kenosis   166      Dharmakaya-Sophia   169      Concluding Remarks   173 5 Hagia Sophia: The Marriage of East and West   177      Christ the Divine Image and Human Prototype: The New Man (1961)/New Seeds of Contemplation (1962)   178      The Marriage of East and West: Hagia Sophia (1962)   193      Theological Significance of Hagia Sophia   208      Concluding Remarks   210 6 Wisdom, Our Sister: Human Beings in the Life Story of God   215      The Eschatological Climate of the Gospels   217      Wisdom and the Russians: Foundations   219      Sophiology: Major Contributions to Positive Theology   233      Christology in the Key of Presence   257      Presence in an Apocalyptic Key: “The Time of the End”   260      Mercy: The Cross as Axis Mundi   265      Concluding Remarks   268 Conclusion: Theology and the General Dance   275 Hagia Sophia by Thomas Merton   301 Bibliography   306 Index   314

About the Author :
Christopher Pramuk is chair of Ignatian Thought and Imagination, and associate professor of theology at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He is the author of Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton and Hope Sings, So Beautiful: Graced Encounters across the Color Line both from Liturgical Press, and the recipient of the Catholic Theological Society of America's 2009 Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award, the International Thomas Merton Society's 2011 Thomas Merton Award (aka "The Louie"), and several best essay awards from the Catholic Press Association.

Review :
Pramuk’s study goes as far as any in outlining the Christology developed in Merton’s copious writings. And by placing Merton in conversation with an eclectic group of theologians, past and present, the book succeeds in underscoring Merton’s Christology and his understanding of the wisdom tradition. A new generation of Merton enthusiasts will appreciate both the effort and the result.Commonweal Christopher Pramuk masterfully guides the reader into how Merton’s life was transformed by his dialogue with both the Russian and Eastern mystics. Just when one thinks that enough has been written about Merton, that there is little more to be said, then here comes another gem that deserves serious attention. Bishop Robert F. Morneau, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay I love this book. Pramuk’s writing is at once deeply insightful and beautifully poetic. . . . It marks a fresh new insight into the depth of Merton’s theological vision.Catholic Studies Pramuk’s Sophia stands out as an exemplar of the best of what scholars of Merton can offer. . . .The book is a reflection on the nature of theology and a call to the renewal of the practice of theology through the sophiological approach. As such, it should be of interest not only to those interested in the retrieval of Merton’s ideas and in the reconstruction of his monastic, theological, and personal identity, but also to those who remain convinced that theology still has something important to say in response to the most pressing questions that we face today.American Benedictine Review This book will appeal to those who give it slow study and reflection. It is prayerful and mystical as well as being a finely documented academic study. The language is beautiful and engaging; one emerges from even a few pages feeling inspired and energized. ‘Ah—so that’s what we believe and why we are Catholic!’ one might conclude with pride and hope.Leaven Pramuk has written an audacious, radical and ultimately inspiring book. Audaciously, he takes on the complex and controversial task of translating Merton’s richly literary and poetic writings into theology. In doing so, he calls Christians, and especially Christian theologians, radically to deepen or repossess the mystical sources for their life and work. The result is an inspiring invitation to find new and deeper meaning in both doctrine and practice.Theological Studies Pramuk has jumped to the head of the pack and become one of our premiere theologians. . . . This book traces the emergence of Sophia in Merton’s life and writings as a love and a presence that breaks through into the world—a living symbol and name through which he encountered the living God and with which he chose, at his poetic and prophetic best, to structure theological discourse.National Catholic Reporter Christopher Pramuk’s Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton, is nothing less than a gift to Merton scholars, serious theologians, and contemplatively-minded Christians alike. . . . [It] represents a new starting point in Merton studies. There is no doubt that Pramuk’s book deserves and will receive significant attention.The Merton Seasonal