Jacob Behmen: An Appreciation

In this lecture, the speaker invites listeners into the world of Jacob Behmen, the 16th‑century shoemaker whose mystic writings have shaped German philosophy. Though little is known about his ordinary life, his own scattered reflections reveal a soul continually wrestling with the stark contrasts of worldly suffering and divine love. The talk situates Behmen within the broader tradition of pre‑ and post‑Reformation mystics, showing how his humble trade never impeded his profound spiritual vision.

The lecturer highlights the unique autobiographical moments that pepper Behmen’s theological works—brief, childlike confessions that betray a heart ablaze with yearning for God. By examining these passages, listeners glimpse the formative crisis that propelled him from despair to a vision of God that he described as a resurrection of the spirit. The presentation argues that gathering these fragments could yield a work rivaling Augustine’s Confessions, offering a fresh appreciation of Behmen’s enduring legacy.