Spirituality and Theological Formation: Seven Critical Considerations

Abstract

What is meant by spirituality and spiritual development in the context of theological formation, and why is it important to incorporate spirituality in theological formation? This article addresses these questions by reviewing scholarly literature and applying the results to the context of Christian academic faculties of theology. The author argues the interdependence of theological and spiritual formation. Also presented are examples of unsound argumentation as to why spirituality would be important in the context of academic theology. The article concludes with the presentation of seven critical considerations for incorporating spirituality in theology in practices within academic faculties of theology. The article argues that paying attention to spirituality in the context of theological formation is an intrinsic part of striving toward both academic and professional excellence. Theology, including academic theology, gains in expressiveness and relevance when it contributes to the development of personal and communal spirituality.