Column Archives

WITH

Matthew J. Milliner

Material Mysticism is devoted to Christian spirituality as it intersects with physical stuff: contemporary art, art history, matter, practice, and place. Each month, through articles and interviews, this contemplative vernissage explores the surprising solidity of spiritual life: the thrilling collision of theology with things.

Recent Installments

Material Mysticism
- Matthew J. Milliner
The Gentrification of the Saints

In Praise of Lev Gillet (1893–1980).
Essay
- Gregory Thompson
A Tale of Two Kitchens

The Menu, The Bear, and a choice.
Q&a
- Glenn McCullough,
- Matthew J. Milliner
The Transfiguration of Psychoanalysis

An interview with Toronto psychotherapist and theologian Glenn McCullough.
Material Mysticism
- Matthew J. Milliner
The Roots of Gender

Goddess fantasies and Christian reality on Crete.
Material Mysticism
- Matthew J. Milliner
Toronto the Holy

On the best paintings in North America.
Column
- Matthew J. Milliner
The Perfect Mirror

How I broke AI (and how it almost broke me).
Material Mysticism
- Matthew J. Milliner
On Christ and Coral

A prayer 500 million years in the making.

About

Recommendations

Martin Laird’s trilogy, Into the Silent Land, A Sunlit Absence, An Ocean of Light
Addison Hodges Hart’s instructive substack, The Pragmatic Mystic
James Finley’s disarming podcast, Turning to the Mystics
Image journal, Ekstasis magazine, Dappled Things
The Visual Commentary on Scripture
Bridge Projects

About the Author

Matthew J. Milliner

Matthew J. Milliner is professor of art history at Wheaton College. He is the author of The Everlasting People (InterVarsity Press, 2021) and Mother of the Lamb (Fortress Press, 2022).

BIO