Spiritual Marriage and - Durham e-Theses - Durham University

areas of resistance to or suspicion of mysticism by Reformed theologians. Karl Barth
will be employed as one of the more prominent Reformed voices that have expressed
serious misgivings about contemplative experience. However, Barth is not
representative of the entire Reformed tradition and Herman Bavinck will offer a
contrasting position that is more receptive to contemplative piety. The critical issue
of retrieval will once again be examined to determine how one can recover both
Ambrose’s piety and his sources. Finally, the chapter will conclude with a number of
specific themes and principles from Ambrose’s contemplative-mystical piety for the
contemporary Reformed Church.