Considering mystagogy as method in Biblical Spirituality

Abstract

Why read the Bible? (Or: reading in the text, reading from the text and reading through the text) 1Two of the strange phenomena that disconcertingly often accompany Bible reading -perhaps forgivably in popular circles, outright callously in political circles, surprisingly often also in academic-theological circles -are that: 1.Paper at the joint conference of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and the Forum of Professors of Spiritual Theology in Italy, 25-28 September 2019, titled 'The Study of Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Theology: Evolving Methodologies', held at the Pontifical University Antonianum, Rome.2.The word play here is on the self-help culture, exemplified by the title of one of the early best sellers in this publication genre, I'm OK -You're OK (Harris 1969).3.On discernment, more clearly understood, see, for example, Waaijman (2013:13-24).4.For instance, in Lombaard (2001:69-87), I analysed how surprisingly similar in their hermeneutical and exegetical approaches the proand anti-apartheid readings of the Bible had been. This, naturally, is not to equate the respective underlying moralities, but, rather, the practice of employing the Bible in a political cause.5. Scheffler (2011:192-207) indicates from Psalm 109 the parallels between that text and modern exegetes in trying to gain divine sympathy by associating rhetorically with the poor.In this contribution, the mystagogic engagement with Bible texts is considered. Good and bad reasons for drawing on the Bible are considered, both within personal and cultural frameworks. Different exegetical procedures are taken into review to inform a discussion of particularly the mystagogic engagement with the text. The latter is characterised by seeking faith from the biblical texts. For theological reasons, historical exegesis is proposed as particularly suited to mystagogic facilitation. Contribution:There are good and bad reasons for drawing on the Bible, within personal and cultural frameworks. Different exegetical procedures inform a discussion of mystagogic engagement with the text, seeking faith from the biblical texts. Historical exegesis is proposed as particularly suited to mystagogic facilitation.

Exploring attributes for an authentic Christian spirituality in an age of growing secularization and scepticism

“…There is, however, a move towards restoring Christian spirituality in spiritual praxis (Lombaard 2020). Surprisingly, this new quest for spirituality which seeks to foster a sense of hope and purposefulness, does not come merely from traditional forms of Christian faith.…”