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.

Introduction: The Poverty of Academic Theology 1. Haven in a Heartless World or Well of Vision: Modernity and the Origins of Spirituality 2. Ignatian Spirituality: An Overview 3. Ignatian Spirituality and the Limits of Modernity 4. Karl Rahner: Theology in a Secularized World 5. Ignacio Ellacuria: Theology Under the Standard of Christ 6. Pope Francis: Theology as an Instrument of Consolation 7. Conclusion: Ignatius and the Theologians Bibliography Index

"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 Ellacuria, 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