Friday, May 29, 2009

Matthew Levering's Scripture and Metaphysics

Presently I'm reading through Scripture and Metaphysics by Matthew Levering, a thought-provoking book bringing St. Thomas Aquinas' utilization of metaphyics into dialogue with contemporary scepticism toward the place of metaphysical reflection in theology. Levering focuses on Aquinas' understanding of theology as the pursuit of contemplative wisdom. Contemplation, say Aquinas and Levering, leads into the transformation of the human person and his or her active life of serving God. Perhaps if theology were viewed more often in this light, it wouldn't seem impractical to so many Christians!

Here is something that caught my attention as a fledgling theologian:

"Indeed, it is only if our contemplative exercises are sustained by continual prayer and sacramental grace that the practices of contemplative wisdom may avoid the poison of pride, manifested in the careerism and ecclesial infidelity of the 'academic theologian.'"

There's nothing like a spiritual kick in the seat of the pants from someone who is no slouch when it comes to rigorous academic work! I'm deeply grateful for spiritual encouragement and exhortation from Christian scholars.

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