Dancing Between Heaven and Earth: Understanding Dance from a Historical and Mystical-Theological Perspective

This article seeks to address the gap in theological studies on the discord- ant relationship between dance and the Catholic Church. To understand this relation- ship, I study two historical cases, analyzing the conceptualization and valorization of sacred and liturgical dances from a mystical-theological perspective. The first case study starts with Gerardus van der Leeuw’s theological and appreciative writings on Isadora Duncan’s pioneering dance practice. I then consider Cardinal Ratzinger’s criticism of the sacred and liturgical modern dancers following in Duncan’s footsteps. I argue that the mystical tradition had a remarkable and dominant influence on the twentieth- century language of self-reflection, for modern dance as well as for the Catholic Church. The second case study analyzes the work of the mystic John of Ruusbroec and the writings of Thomas of Cantimpré, hagiographer of the dancing saint, Christina the Astonishing. Seeking conceptual clarity, I turn to the latest developments in the aca- demic field of mystical theology. I identify key concepts of the mystical tradition that could have prevented dissonance between dancers and theologians. Dance, I conclude, deserves a legitimate place on the theological agenda, if we can guarantee genuine col- laborations between dancers and (mystical) theologians.

Publication year:2021

Accessibility:Open