Julian of Norwich's Concept of the Human Soul

Abstract

This thesis is an examination and discussion of Julian of Norwich's concept of a two-tiered human soul. Julian believes that the soul of the Christian has a higher, substantial part joined to the divine substance and a lower, sensual part joined to the human body but separate from God until joined to the substantial part by the redeeming work of Christ. Although Julian is writing within a mystical tradition heavily influenced by St. Augustine, her concept of the soul is a striking departure from the Augustinian concept of the soul as an undivided substance at a great ontological distance from God. I argue that Julian's concept is the result of her contemplation of sin, which inspires her to find a solution to the problem of God's judgment of the sinful soul. Her solution to this problem is a concept of the soul with a "godly will" unblemished by sin and therefore perfectly loved by God.