The Place of Mysticism in Medieval Christianity. Although the medieval Church stressed the importance of good works to salvation, a strong mystical streak existed alongside this practical Christianity. Mysticism emphasizes individual and immediate communion with God through means beyond rational understanding. It may be manifested through dreams, raptures, and visions. Mystics spent days fasting, received signs of divine favor, and made prophesies. The medieval Church had an ambivalent attitude toward such mystics. On the one hand, the Church had no doubt that God could choose to communicate directly with Christians, and its theology stressed the importance of personal experience of the divine and how that experience would transcend all forms of worldly experience. On the other hand, how could they be sure these visions were from God? Satan was by definition the prince of deceivers, and sending false visions was something he would do...