Edith Stein: Her empathic theology of the human person

Because of her untimely death Edith Stein does not directly articulate a coherent theology of the human person. Nevertheless, can a coherent theology of the human person be discerned in her work? This article argues yes. Given this answer, what coheres this theology gleaned from her diverse work? It is argued that the answer is Stein’s phenomenological philosophy of empathy. To explain these conclusions Stein’s philosophy of empathy is first considered followed by reflections on biblical and contemporary exemplars of empathy who interested Stein. It is contended that Stein’s theory of empathy elucidates her exegesis of the kenotic mystical path of St John of the Cross. The hallmark of mystical union is the experience of divine bliss. Mystical bliss is ephemeral and not an end in itself but a transformation leaving the mystic with an enduring sense of joy. According to Stein empathic union with the triune God hypostatically frees the mystic to vicariously experience the suffering of Christ and through Christ the suffering of all humanity. In the manner of Christ, the fulfilled mystic voluntarily undertakes a selfless life dedicated to the expiatory suffering of other persons irrespective of who they are and what they have done. Such a life is both personally and cosmically salvic.