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The Relationship between Spirituality and Theology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2014

Annice Callahan*
Affiliation:
Regis College

Abstract

This essay considers the contribution which spirituality makes to theology and vice versa, using examples from Karl Rahner's work. His spirituality in the sense of lived religious experience is the point of departure for his theological anthropology. Conversely, his theology of devotion to the Sacred Heart critiques and informs a spirituality of the heart of Christ. After discussing the mutual benefits which spirituality and theology provide one another, this paper points out the contemporary relevance of a spirituality of Christ's heart.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The College Theology Society 1989

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References

1 For example, see Hans Urs von Balthasar's review of Rahner's, KarlGeist in Welt, Zeitschrift fuer Katholische Theologie, 63 (1939), 378;Google ScholarFischer, Klaus P., Der Mensch als Geheimnis: Die Anthropoiogie Karl Rahners (Freiburg: Herder, 1974);Google ScholarNeufeld, Karl H. S.J., , “Unter Bruedern: Zur Fruehgeschichte der Theologie Rahners aus der Zusammenarbeit mit H. Rahner,” Wagnis Theologie: Erfahrungen mit der Theologie Karl Rahners, ed. Vorgrimler, Herbert (Freiburg: Herder, 1979), pp. 347–54;Google Scholar and Harvey D. Egan, ‘The Devout Christian of the Future Will … be a “Mystic”.’ Mysticism and Karl Rahner's Theology” in Theology and Discovery; Essays in Honor of Karl Rahner, S.J., ed. Kelly, William J. (Milwaukee, WI: Marquette University Press, 1980), pp. 139–58.Google Scholar

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14 I disagree with Gordon Kaufman who claims that we experience ourselves not God. See Kaufman, Gordon D., Systematic Theology: A Historicist Perspective (New York: Scribner's, 1968), esp. pp. 223–34.Google Scholar

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16 See Rahner, , TI 3: 352Google Scholar, and “E Latere Christi.” Cf. Callahan, pp. 14-27.

17 See Rahner, K., Visions and Prophecies, tr. Henkey, Charles and Strachan, Richard (London: Burns & Oates, 1963), esp. pp. 53, 63, and 68.Google Scholar Cf. Egan, Harvey D. S.J., , What Are They Saying About Mysticism? (New York: Paulist, 1982), pp. 9, 119–20;Google Scholar and Christian Mysticism: The Future of a Tradition (New York: Pueblo, 1984), pp. 101–06, 275–77, 303–20.Google Scholar

18 For the use of the metaphor of earth-womb and woman as earth-womb, see Weber, Christin Lore, WomanChrist: A New Vision of Feminist Spirituality (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987), pp. 8, 19, 48, 64–65, 67, 72–73, 142.Google Scholar

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