ABSTRACT
The part played by voices in Christian tradition, emerging from, continuing, and developing the part played in scripture, is charted from the early Christian period through to modern times. Amongst other figures, Antony of Egypt and Augustine of Hippo are particularly significant in the early period, but voices play a much more prominent role in the literature of the second millennium. Examples are drawn from from across this period, including such figures as Hildegard of Bingen, Gertrude of Helfta, Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Joan of Arc, Bernadette Soubirous, Sundar Singh, Maria Kowalska, and others. The part played by voices in Franciscan, Carmelite, Ignatian, and Protestant spiritual traditions is critically considered. A wide diversity of voices, demonic, angelic, and divine, may be identified, as well as a number of figures – notably John of the Cross – who urge caution about placing too much weight upon the signficance of such experiences.
