Mysticism, loneliness and prayer: a dialog between Bonhoeffer’s theology and post-theism

um diálogo entre a teologia de Bonhoeffer e o pós-teísmo

Abstract

This research proposes a comparative analysis between post-theistic theology and the Christian mystical approach, focusing on the practice of individual and secret prayer. The study examines how, in post-theistic modernity, various spiritual practices, present both in religions and in non-religious contexts, can be seen as equivalent to Christian mystical prayer. Starting from a reflection on the mysticism of secret prayer, which is central to various religious traditions, the paper investigates the role of this practice in the search for communion with the transcendent. The methodology involves analyzing the works of post-theistic thinkers such as Santiago Villamayor and José María Vigil, as well as exploring the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with emphasis on his approach to secret prayer based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It seeks to identify the similarities and differences between mystical practices in the two theological strands, noting that while post-theistic theology adopts a pluralistic approach and without a fixed definition of God, Christian mysticism, especially in Bonhoeffer's view, is based on biblical principles and the personal search for the divine presence. The study emphasizes that the practice of prayer, whether in a post-theistic or Christian context, is a fundamental means of connecting with the divine and cultivating a genuine spirituality.