Hildegard of Bingen

[p0lar_bear]

While this presentation on Hildegard of Bingen is far from exhaustive, it does give a fairly comprehensive view of the feminine divine. Her theological anthropology has been advanced and developed by some of the greatest thinkers of our day, including John Paul the Great. An examination of this anthropology in relation to her concept of the feminine divine has shown the strong correlation between the two. A study of Scripture demonstrates that her use of the feminine divine uses many of the same images and even words as the Biblical authors. Hildegard’s use of the feminine divine is in keeping with the Christian tradition of interpreting these Scriptural images. Hildegard made no reference to any pagan concepts of the human person or the divine. She explored the Christian understanding of the divine using feminine imagery, as well as masculine. These images were not contradictory or contrasting; they were inseparable, two sides of the same coin.

Hildegard’s use of the feminine divine gave her a more holistic view of the divine than a purely masculine representation could. While we have more or less lost this understanding today, reconsidering the feminine divine could help us to conceive of God in a more complete manner. Our images and thought are radically different than the images and thought in medieval times, but there is still a lot to gain from delving into the writings of medievals such as Hildegard of Bingen.

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[Guest ambrose]

p0lar_bear: thanks for posting that information!

I have been working on a play about Hildegarde for some time. It is very hard to do justice to what an amazing woman she was. It is also hard to grapple with the language- i.e. how do you write a conversation between Hildegarde and Volmar in contemporary English!!! It is on the back burner for now, but I hope to pick up it some day.

The best Hildegarde CD imo is "Heavenly Revelations". Just wonderful.

I knew I had to marry my husband when he asked if I'd like to name one of our (future) daughters Hildegarde!! I love monastic names, yet I think that is too harsh a fate for a child these days!

[phatcatholic]

polar..............sorry i have been rather absent from this discussion. i do wish to read over the material and respond as soon as i have the time.