Renewing Theology

J. Matthew Ashley is professor of Christian spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University. He is the author and editor of a number of books, including Take Lord and Receive All My Memory: Toward an Anamnestic Mysticism.

"J. Matthew Ashley investigates Ignatian spirituality and three prominent 20th-century theologians who embraced its spiritual resources: Karl Rahner, Ignacio Ellacuria, and Jorge Mario Bergoglio—that is, Pope Francis. Ashley offers case studies to show how each Jesuit responded to the challenges of modernity in a way that is uniquely nourished and illuminated by themes constitutive of Ignatian spirituality." —American Catholic Studies Newsletter"A splendid exhibition of the profound harmonies to be found between the needs of the modern world, the mission of theology and the spirituality of Ignatius." —The Way"A beautiful and inspiring argument about the importance of meeting God—a personal relationship. . . .This book will be very useful as a textbook and for scholarly researchers." —Catholic Library World"Ashley makes a convincing case that spirituality "should exist in a mutually fructifying relationship with theology," and I hope his work inspires much future conversation about how different spiritualities and theologies might help us to navigate the boundaries that separate us." —Horizons"To revivify theology's relationship with a way of living in the world, Ashley does not merely demonstrate its possibility abstractly; he shows us. He shows us not just that renewing theology is needed, but imagines what it might look like, allowing readers to begin imagining how a renewal of this kind could take shape in their own theological tradition, within their own context, within their own lives." —America Magazine"Renewing Theology is an important contribution to understanding Ignatian theology, more the intersection of theology and spirituality, but even more to the renewal of theology in our time. A wide reading by graduate students and theologians may just help us to see fresh ways of theologizing." —Reading Religion"Among the book's numerous successes is Ashley's creative presentation of Rahner as retrieving Ignatian spirituality so as to present a message and mission of consolation to the modern world; thus Rahner can be aproductive model for academic theology today." —Philosophy & Theology"Unlike Rahner and Ellacuría, Francis is not exactly a theologian; his ministry is essentially pastoral. Yet there is no doubt that the spiritual tradition of the Society has played a determinative role in the lives of all three, as Ashley's excellent study of the Ignatian contribution to the theological craft makes abundantly clear. —Theological Studies

• Introduction: The Poverty of Academic Theology1. Haven in a Heartless World or Well of Vision: Modernity and the Origins of Spirituality2. Ignatian Spirituality: An Overview3. Ignatian Spirituality and the Limits of Modernity4. Karl Rahner: Theology in a Secularized World5. Ignacio Ellacuría: Theology Under the Standard of Christ6. Pope Francis: Theology as an Instrument of Consolation7. Conclusion: Ignatius and the TheologiansBibliographyIndex