Christianity and Dreams: From Visions to Temptations

In many parts of the English-speaking world, Christianity is known for not valuing dreams. The fear is diffuse, the stuff of legends, vaguely suggesting that paying attention to dreams is somehow pagan or consorting with the devil. In the past, however, Christianity considered dreams to be a viable way to receive visions from God, as well as prophesies. So why is dreaming so disparaged today?

In my essay on lucid dreaming history, I reported that, in the Middle Ages, Thomas Acquinas played a role in the transformation from a dream-loving Christendom to dream-fearing one. However, I attended a lecture last month by religion scholar Bart Koet who added another layer to this unfortunate transformation.

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