Johann Arndt and Jacob Boehme were two of the most prominent Lutheran mystical writers.

Born in Edderitz near Ballenstedt, in Anhalt-Köthen, Johann Arndt (1555-1621) was orphaned at age ten. He began his studies with a divided focus on medicine and divinity. After recovering from a grave illness, he came to look on his life as a gift and felt duty-bound to devote it to God’s service. He turned his attention exclusively to divinity, which he stud…