The Book of the Lover and the Beloved

If the story of one man's life could destroy the mistaken idea that a mystic is an impractical dreamer, that man would be Lull, the "Apostle of Africa". His life was full of romance and adventure – he was a knight in the Spanish court; he went on three voyages to Africa as a missionary; he wrote books, founded communities, and developed a system of logic whereby thousands of Muslims came to Christ. This book, The Book of the Lover and the Beloved, has been heralded down through the centuries as a gift to those who desire a close relationship with God, and is regarded as one of Lull's finest works. For over seven centuries Christians have followed the heart of this book into the passion of a love affair with the Lover of Their Souls. "If ye will have fire," he cries, "O ye that love, come light your lanterns at my heart." The famous phrase, "He who loves not, lives not" sums up the fiery message of this book.