Beyond Reach of Language: Kevin Hart and Christian Mysticism

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2010

Author

Davidson, Toby

Journal

Literature and Theology

Volume

24

Number

3

Pages

271-284

Language

English

Keywords

attention
God
Hart, Kevin
mysticism
negative theology
John of the Cross, Saint

Annotation

Davidson uses Weil’s concept of ‘attending to God’ as a means to discuss the work of the Australian poet, Kevin Hart; work in which Davidson says, Hart struggles with what Davidson calls the “double blind that God imposes on man: Represent me, but on no account represent me” (p. 271). Weil’s notion of attention is used in three ways, Davidson goes on to claim: to accompany God, to wait for God and to stretch towards God (p. 272). He then goes on to a more in-depth examination of how these three ‘ways’ manifest in Hart’s work, especially that which refers to or arises from mysticism and mystical experience. Thus, although Weil is only explicitly referred to in two places in the essay, her concept of attention is the source for Davidson’s analysis.