Antoinette Bourignon

Antoinette Bourignon

Antoinette Bourignon , 1616–80, Flemish Christian mystic, adherent of quietism . In 1636 she fled from home to avoid a marriage urged by her father, spent a short time in a convent, and was in charge (1653–62) of an orphanage. Believing herself divinely directed to restore the pure spirit of the Gospel, she gathered (1667) at Amsterdam a fanatical following. Moving from place to place, she took her printing press with her and disseminated her quietistic teachings. According to her alleged revelations, religion was a matter of internal emotion, not of faith and practice. Her mystical ideas found particular favor in Scotland, where Bourignianism was declared a heresy (1711) and candidates for the ministry were required to renounce it before ordination. Her autobiography was translated into English as The Light of the World (1696).

Bibliography: See A. R. Macewen, Antoinette Bourignon, Quietist (1910).

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Bourignon, Antoinette

Bourignon, Antoinette (1616–80), Flemish enthusiast and mystical writer. She tried to found a new ascetic order, but after 1662 she became estranged from mainstream Christianity. She influenced P. Poiret, who published her works.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Bourignon, Antoinette." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Bourignon, Antoinette." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-BourignonAntoinette.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Bourignon, Antoinette." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-BourignonAntoinette.html

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