Beloved Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life

Description

There has been an explosion of interest in classical Christian spirituality over the past 50 years. While a great deal of work has been done on the history of Christian spirituality, there has been no full-scale theological and pastoral treatment of Christian spiritual life since before the Second Vatican Council. Beloved Dust takes a realistic, contemporary view of human being as entirely physical (dust) and shows it immersed in three great tides of the Holy Spirit, the traditional threefold rhythm of conversion, transfiguration, and glory. What is unique about Robert Hughes's approach is the effort to root spiritual theology in the doctrine of the Spirit, an outgrowth of the renewed interest in the Trinity among both Catholics (Karl Rahner) and Protestants (Robert Jenson). Also striking is Hughes's emphasis on "ordinary life". Here as a married Episcopal priest/theologian who brings a distinctly "Protestant" perspective to a traditionally "Catholic" enterprise for so long the preserve of celibate priests. What he achieves is a new presentation of the traditional teaching in the light of contemporary knowledge and practice.

Robert D. Hughes, III, is Norma and Olan Mills Professor of Divinity and Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology of The University of the South, where he has taught since 1977. Author of numerous articles appearing in journals such as the Anglican Theological Review, the Sewanee Theological Review, and the St. Luke's Journal of Theology, he also wrote "The Holy Spirit in Christian Spirituality" for The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality (2005).

Hughes provides a constructive account of Protestant spiritual theology developed in the wake of Catholic spiritual theology (prior to Vatican II), systematic theology, scientific research, and psychodynamic theories...This account builds upon insights developed in his first section which offers an erudite and expansive overview of spiritual theology, resources for constructive work, and the overarching methodology of Hughe's own attempt. * Theological Book Review, Vol. 21, 2009 * This is a substantial and truly remarkable work, the fruit of an immense range of knowledge. * The Church Times * It is impossible not to be impressed by Hughes wide reading, especially of modern Catholic theology, and he makes good use of what he has read. * Church of England Newspaper * This unassuming (but fat) paperback is one of the most satisfying and significant theological studies of our time - and one of the most ambitious. * The Sign * Robert Hughes expresses his hope of producing a constructive approach to a refounded spiritual theology, which he seems to have achieved in an unusual and intriguing way. * The Methodist Recorder * Attended Hay Festival 2011 The author offers a spirituality in which love of God and love of earth are not merely compatible but intertwine. This is an important contribution to a renewed spiritual theology. -- Lucien J. Richard * Catholic Library World * Hughes gives a stunning overview of spiritual theology, charting how and why it has gone astray...he displays that he is not only perhaps one of the most accomplished theologians of our time, but that his mastery surpasses questions of dogmatic theology. -- Jared C. Cramer * Anglican Theological Review *