Apocalypticism in Traditionalist Western Sufism

Bradshaw, Magnus (2023). Apocalypticism in Traditionalist Western Sufism. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The pertinence of apocalypticism in the contemporary world, whether in religious or secular contexts, is now widely understood. From the eschatological teachings of world religions, many of whose adherents anticipate an imminent apocalypse, to its environmental, technological and other secular variants. Apocalypticism is ubiquitous in mainstream, globalised culture, whether this be in films such as 2012 and The Road, or the Left Behind series of novels. This study presents and analyses the millennial teachings of Traditionalist Sufi thinkers, primarily René Guénon, and Frithjof Schuon. It contextualizes these teachings in relation to the academic study of apocalypticism, with particular reference to its debates about their origins and the various typologies which have been developed. It also situates them in their intellectual and, to some extent, historical contexts, with particular reference to the concept of apocalyptic spirituality. Other significant examples of Western Sufi apocalypticism are presented in order to provide context for the Traditionalist Sufi perspective. The main conclusions of the thesis are that Traditionalist Sufism takes a universal, rather than uniquely Islamic, approach to religious apocalypticism, and that this reflects the hybrid nature of much Western Sufism. The significance of apocalyptic spirituality as an aspect of apocalypticism is emphasized. It is also argued that Traditionalist Sufism provides a challenge to the validity of secular apocalypticism – or millennialism – as a category which has become significant for contemporary scholarly discourse on apocalypticism. It does this by arguing that secular apocalypticism fails to take account of how religion is defined by its adherents, while having pseudo-religious features which contradict the notion that it is wholly secular phenomenon.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):