Graduate Student, Theology and Religion
St John's College
Thesis Title: Mystical Transformation in Ancient Judaism
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Robert Hayward
John Barclay |
About
My research interests are quite variegated. Theology, History, Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, Phenomenology and Linguistics are among the many areas in which I am interested. I hold degrees in Biblical Studies (BA), Theological Research (MA) and Religious Studies (MA), and am in my final year as a PhD researcher. I especially enjoy the study of ancient Jewish and Christian mysticisms.
My thesis is an exploration of mystical transformation in ancient Judaism. It attempts to understand how ancient Jews conceive of change which comes from encountering the otherworld. In particular, my interest is in 'ontic' change, or that which affects the very nature of the human involved, the 'stuff' of which he or she is made.
The thesis investigates the six different varieties of ancient Judaism, holding each in conversation with one another in attempt to highlight the commonalities, divergences and peculiarities among them. Each of the varieties yields a unique doctrine of mystical transformation. For example, ancient Jewish apocalypticists and later Merkavah or Hekhalot Mystics recall being suddenly drawn into heaven and changed into angelic beings. Philo, the Jewish-Platonic philosopher from Alexandria, believes humans can become immortal through intensive engagement with sacred texts. Those behind the Dead Sea Scrolls envision the metamorphosis of themselves, God's righteous community, into a spiritual Temple capable of housing the divine presence. Paul, the Jewish-Christian, articulates a life-long transformation into Christ-likeness only available to those filled with Pneuma. And certain circles within the Rabbinic Movement imagine that, through the performance of statutory prayer and engagement in Bible study, privileged individuals can ‘feast’ on the light-stuff emanating from God’s radiant presence and, through this ingestion, become like the angels in heaven.
