Spirituality and Social Embodiment

"Spirituality" often takes us out of the public world to a more inward (so–called "mystical") space, while "politics" calls us beyond ourselves to the more material realities of social embodiment. These are false options, yet many forms of modern theology have succumbed to these temptations. They mimic Alasdair MacIntyre′s therapists and managers while protesting against one side or the other. These essays provide a new way of envisioning the relationship between spirituality and social embodiment. Some authors provide re–readings of pre–modern theology: New Testament texts (R. Williams), Bernard (Jones), Aquinas (A. Williams), Julian of Norwich (Bauerschmidt), Luther (Yeago). Some authors address our circumstances more directly, demystifying "inwardness" (R. Williams) or criticizing consumer spiritualities (Jones), re–locating the Church and the state we are in (Lash), or assessing competing African–American spiritualities (Jennings). All seek ways to place our spiritualities and politics before the God who desires to redeem us, body and soul.

1. A Thirst for God or Consumer Spirituality?.

Cultivating Disciplined Practices of Being Engaged by God: L. Gregory Jones (Loyola College, Maryland).

2. Interiority and Epiphany: A Reading in New Testament Ethics: Rowan Williams (Bishop of Monmouth, Wales).

3. Mystical Theology Redux: The Pattern of Aquinas′ Summa Theologiae: A. N. Williams (University of Puget Sound).

4. Julian of Norwich – Incorporated: F. C. Bauerschmidt (Loyola College, Maryland).

5. A Christian, Holy People: Martin Luther on Salvation, Faith and Church: David S. Yeago (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary).

6. The Church In The State We′re In: Nicholas Lash (University of Cambridge).

7. Wrestling with a Wounding Word: Reading the Disjointed Lines of African American Spirituality: Willie James Jennings (Duke University).

L. Gregory Jones is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Theology, Loyola College in Maryland. He is author of three books, including most recently Embodying Forgiveness.
James J. Buckley is Professor of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland. He is the author of Seeking the Humanity of God.
Professors Jones and Buckley are the Editors of Modern Theology and the General Editors of the series Blackwell Readings in Modern Theology.

"Students of theology will welcome this study and enjoy the varied presentations and I believe they will return to them, a pleasure made all the more attractive by the index." Anthony Lovegrove, Haslemere

"This book of essays is a selection of writings from some of todays most thoughtful theologians. The theme of the book is an attempt to engage with both the realm of the mystical and that of the material utilising traditional reasources in creative ways. All of the essays are intriguing and cover a wide range of topics.....they all go a long way in contributing valuable arguments to the current debates surrounding the relevance and message the chuch has to offer the larger community.