Abstract

In the academy, dialogue between the disciplines of practical theology and spirituality is slowly emerging. This article seeks to advance that conversation by outlining the current shape of the academic discipline of spirituality, highlighting points of resonance and areas for further discussion among practical theologians and scholars of spirituality, identifying several key topics for research, drawing upon the author's own research in international contexts, and sketching a practical theological approach to research in spirituality. The author argues that spirituality should not be understood simply as a subdiscipline of practical theology but instead as a disciplinary partner whose subject matter, aims, and methodologies overlap with those of practical theology in rich and mutually fruitful ways. Moreover, the study of spirituality raises questions (for example, questions about the pneumatology grounding our scholarship) that impinge on the work of all practical theologians.