Foundations of Practical Spiritual Theology: Walter Hilton as a Case Study in Retrieval

Abstract

This article explores the relationships between spirituality, spiritual theology, and practical theology. It proposes a synthesis of these disciplines – practical spiritual theology – as a method and methodology for retrieving the wisdom of historical Christian mystics for the purposes of sustaining and inspiring the spiritual life of contemporary Christians. The 14th century English mystic, Walter Hilton, is used to illustrate this synthesis in practice.

Keywords

• spirituality
• mystics
• walter hilton
• ascetical theology
• mystical theology
• pastoral theology
• spiritual life
• spiritual formation
• empirical theology
• ministry