seventh vision details the history of three eras on earth: before the Flood, after the Flood when humans were under God’s Law, and after the coming of Christ, when the new covenant is instituted—a covenant of grace. Hildegard recognizes three “signs” before Christ’s advent: animal sacrifice, circumcision, and the Mosaic law. These all prepared the way for redemption.

In the eighth vision, Hildegard identifies humans as rational beings, created and brought to truth by wisdom through love. The prophets and evangelists were inspired by wisdom so that humans could be brought by love to redemption, and humans should live in peace and harmony.

In the ninth vision, one complex character indicates God himself; Hildegard references his creative work, his love expressed in the Old and New Testaments, and his coming judgment of rebellious humans. All elements of the cosmos work together to accomplish God’s work.

The tenth vision depicts Old Testament symbols of the Roman Catholic Church: the obedience of Noah and Abraham, as well as the law given to Moses. However, in Christ the law and obedience are combined, resulting in justice and peace. The Church is served by believers in many different circumstances—both religious and lay, both celibate and married. In this vision, Hildegard relates the history of several of the apostles, showing how their lives were examples of the work of the Holy Spirit in people of different temperaments. She exhorts religious and lay persons to work in harmony because they both work for Christ to bring those outside the Church, regardless of ethnic group, to salvation. Hildegard warns that divisions among Christians will precede the coming of the Antichrist and the final judgment, but those who remain faithful will be blessed by God.

Also included in this edition are forty-one letters documenting Hildegard’s interaction with and advice to several secular and religious leaders as well as individual religious persons. Finally, Fox has included twelve songs with notation and original Latin lyrics as well as modern English translations.

Christian Themes

Hildegard envisions the unfolding of God’s plan throughout history. She describes the divine work of Creation, in which God brings the four elements into harmony and obedience to create the cosmos. Humans are a special creation, made in the image of God, separated from the rest of creation by reason. However, human beings have fallen and now must choose between obedience to God or punishment with the devil. Right faith, in the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, leads to freedom, harmony, and joy.

While Hildegard often speaks of the soul being weighed down or led astray by the body, she does not completely follow a neo-Platonic philosophy; she is emphatic that both body and soul will experience salvation and a glorious eternal life if humans, through virtue and holiness, are obedient to God.

She teaches that right faith leads to right living, which honors and creates harmony in the physical earth. All creation is important and affected by human behavior; we are responsible to know, love, and care for the earth and its creatures. If our sinful acts and attitudes cause disharmony in the earth, we will suffer as a result.

Humans must learn to live in moderation, which Hildegard recommends as the way to live healthy, productive lives in harmony with God, the earth, and other people. While she values a disciplined life, she asks Christians not to lead lives of too rigorous asceticism, which can lead to deteriorated health and inability to do God’s work.

Hildegard recognizes that God’s grace allows humans to desire and to do good, and she encourages good works as grateful expressions of love and obedience to God. She is especially concerned with justice, recommending attitudes and actions that lead to justice in the state and Church, as well as in individual matters. Her emphasis on justice works in conjunction with her concept of cosmic harmony. Even small instances of injustice can lead to disharmony. In her understanding of the connectedness of all creation, any lack of harmony affects the whole and distracts from our understanding of and praise to God.

To understand Hildegard’s vision is to recognize the solidarity Christians must feel with each other, the earth, and the cosmos as a whole as they mature in their faith and love for their Creator Redeemer and his divine works.

Sources for Further Study

• Baird, Joseph L., and Radd K. Ehrman, trans. The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen. 3 vols. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994-2004. Letters ranging from advice and encouragement to rebuke, to and from Hildegard to church leaders, including popes, as well as monks and nuns.
• Fox, Matthew. Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen. 1985. Reprint. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2002. Provides insight into Hildegard’s spiritual message. Includes color plates of twenty-one visions from Hildegard’s Scivias (1141-1151; English translation, 1986) and three from Book of Divine Works.
• King-Lenzmeier, Anne H. Hildegard of Bingen: An Integrated Vision. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2001. Explores Hildegard’s mysticism, spirituality, and theology. Includes excerpts from her writings and discusses her music and the morality play, Ordu Virtutum.
• Pernoud, Regine. Hildegard of Bingen: Inspired Conscience of the Twelfth Century. Translated by Paul Duggan. New York: Marlowe, 1998. A thorough biography that examines Hildegard in the political and religious context of her age.