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.

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.