Philip Sheldrake
Philip Sheldrake FRSA FRHistS is a religious historian and theologian with additional background in philosophy and political theory. His main work has been as a leading scholar in the overall multi-disciplinary field of spirituality. In particular, Philip Sheldrake has been closely involved internationally in the emergence of Christian Spirituality as an academic discipline.[1] Sheldrake is a past president of the international Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, linked to the American Academy of Religion (AAR).[1] He has written or edited seventeen books, with another book pending, as well as numerous book essays and journal articles. His publications have mainly focused on the meaning of "spirituality", the interface of spirituality and religious history and spirituality in relation to contemporary society and culture. He has also written on the theme of human and religious reconciliation and, more recently, on a spiritual vision for cities in dialogue with history, philosophy, theology, social sciences and urban studies.[1] Sheldrake recently published a book (2019) which offers a contextual study of the theology of Julian of Norwich, the Fourteenth Century English mystical writer and the first woman known to have written in English. He is currently working on a sequel to his city book concerning the cultivation of critical public virtues with a chapter on the nature of public leadership and what makes the "good leader".
Sheldrake originally trained in history, philosophy, and then theology at the University of Oxford and the University of London. He was also a member of the Jesuits (a Roman Catholic religious order) for some thirty years. Sheldrake taught at the University of London (1984–94) where he was also co-director and then director of the Institute of Spirituality at Heythrop College. He later taught at the University of Cambridge (1992–97), Durham University (as William Leech Professorial Fellow 2003-08) and as honorary professor and postgraduate research supervisor at the University of Wales Lampeter (1998–2013). He was also the Hulsean Lecturer at the University of Cambridge (1999–2000) and an honorary research fellow of the Centre for the Study of Cities & Regions, Durham University (2008–2013).[1]
Sheldrake is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS). In 2015 he was awarded the higher doctorate, Doctor of Divinity (DD), by Oxford University after formal examination of a portfolio of his published work. He is currently senior research associate of the Von Hugel Institute at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge, senior research fellow in the Cambridge Theological Federation (Westcott House) and professor and director of the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality at the graduate Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio Texas. He also remains a Professorial Fellow of St Chad's College, Durham University and is currently research fellow in the Global Cities Initiative at Georgetown University, Washington DC. He has regularly been a visiting professor or consultant at a number of other universities in the United States, for example as The Joseph Visiting Professor of Catholic Studies at Boston College (2008–09).[1] Sheldrake has also been involved in adult continuing education and Church-related continuing ministerial training in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Norway.
Philip Sheldrake spent a year studying in India (1981–1982), where he developed an interest in Eastern religions. In recent years, he has been involved internationally in interreligious dialogue as a member of the Guerrand-Hermes Forum for the Interreligious Study of Spirituality and more recently as a participant in the annual international Building Bridges Christian-Muslim meetings, administered by Georgetown University, Washington DC. He has also worked in the United Kingdom and the United States with urban theorists, architects, urban planners and urban leadership in thinking about the meaning and future of cities and with medical professionals in the UK, US and Norway in relation to the spirituality of healthcare.
Selected works[edit]
Books[edit]
- Sheldrake, Philip (1998). Spirituality and history: Questions of interpretation and method. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN 1-57075-203-6.
- Sheldrake, Philip (1995). Living Between Worlds: Place and Journey in Celtic Christianity. London: Darton, Longman & Todd. ISBN 0-232-52119-0.
- Sheldrake, Philip (1999). Spirituality and Theology: Christian Living and the Doctrine of God. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN 1-57075-224-9.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2001). Spaces for the Sacred: Place, Memory, and Identity. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-6861-0.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2005). The new Westminster dictionary of Christian spirituality. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox. ISBN 0-664-23003-2.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2006). Spirituality: A Brief History. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 1-4051-1771-0.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2009). Heaven in Ordinary: A George Herbert Reader. London: Canterbury Press.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2010). Explorations in Spirituality: History, Theology and Social Practice. New York: Paulist Press.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2012). Spirituality: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2014). Spirituality: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2014). The Spiritual City: Theology, Spirituality & the Urban. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Sheldrake, Philip (3rd revised edition 2016). Befriending Our Desires. Collegeville: Liturgical Press.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2019). Julian of Norwich - in God's Sight: Her Theology in Context. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Sheldrake, Philip (2019). The Spiritual Way: Classic Traditional and Contemporary Practice. Collegeville: Liturgical Press
Articles[edit]
- Philip Sheldrake (1999). "The study of spirituality". The Way: a review of Christian spirituality. The Way Publications. 39 (2): 162–172. ISSN 0043-1575.
- Philip Sheldrake (2011). "Spirituality in a European context". Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality. Johns Hopkins University Press. 11 (1): 1–9. doi:10.1353/scs.2011.0020. ISSN 1533-1709.
A Brief History of Spirituality (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Wiley Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) Paperback – 22 Dec. 2006
by Philip Sheldrake (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
Part of: Wiley Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion (12 books)
A Brief History of Spirituality tells the story of Christian spirituality from its origins in the New Testament to the present day.* Charts the main figures, ideas, images and historical periods, showing how and why spirituality has changed and developed over the centuries* Draws out the distinctive themes of Christian spirituality, exploring the historical and cultural events and experiences that changed people's attitudes and practices* Coverage extends right up to the modern day, exploring the huge changes in spirituality in recent years and the way it is nowadays often contrasted with 'religion'* Written by a leading commentator on spirituality, and published in the popular Brief Histories of Religion series
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Spirituality: A Brief History, 2nd Edition (Wiley Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion)
Philip Sheldrake
4.6 out of 5 stars 53
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"[Sheldrake's] grasp of the key figures and movements within the western Christian tradition is consistently sure-footed, and the book will be very useful for those seeking an accessible one-volume introduction to the subject by an acknowledged authority ... . This is an excellent book and can be safely recommended to students and others alike." (Theology, September, October 2008) "Wonderfully encapsulates the complex manner in which the term spirituality has taken on various meanings within the Christian tradition ... Those who are interested in learning more about the major movements in the Christian tradition are sure to find this book a wonderful introduction into learning more about thinkers who have ardently longed to attain wisdom." (The Heythrop Journal) "One gets the sense that Sheldrake knows and loves his subject, and more importantly, wants to share his knowledge with others. I strongly recommend this book." (Anglican Theological Review)
From the Back Cover
A Brief History of Spirituality tells the story of Christian spirituality from its origins in the New Testament to the present day. Moving through the main figures and historical periods, the author shows how and why spirituality has changed and developed over the centuries.
Philip Sheldrake, a leading commentator on spirituality, draws out the distinctive themes of Christian spirituality, exploring the historical and cultural events that changed people’s attitudes and practices. The major spiritual teachers are described, along with the ideas, images and experiences that so strongly affected those around them. Coming right up to the modern day, the book explores the huge changes in spirituality in recent years and examines the way it is often contrasted with “religion.”
About the Author
Philip Sheldrake is William Leech Professorial Fellow in Applied Theology at the University of Durham. He is also Honorary Professor at the University of Wales Lampeter and is regularly a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame and other North American universities. He has taught and written extensively in the field of Christian spirituality and spirituality more generally. His books include Spirituality and History (2nd edn 1998), Spaces for the Sacred: Place, Memory and Identity (2001) and, as editor, New SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (2005, in the USA New Westminster Dictionary). He is Past President of the international Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.
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Product details
Publisher : Wiley–Blackwell (22 Dec. 2006)
Language : English
Paperback : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1405117710
ISBN-13 : 978-1405117715
Dimensions : 13.59 x 2.03 x 18.8 cmBest Sellers Rank: 1,625,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)5,718 in Christian Church History
5,924 in Course in Miracles (Books)
21,057 in Religious History of ChristianityCustomer reviews:
4.3 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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Kathleen Hogg
4.0 out of 5 stars Succinct overviewReviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 5 May 2013
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I am not a historian and so at times found it a difficult read. However, with parts more familiar I found the whole 'journey' began to hang together for me. Very good background reading and exactly what it says - a brief history.
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Jank
5.0 out of 5 stars UsefulReviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 15 October 2016
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Excellent for my theology essay. Quite readable compared to other academic books.
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J. J. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars Faithful Historical SurveyReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 20 March 2013
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First, be aware that Sheldrake has issued a revised edition, retitled Spirituality: A Brief History. That said, this text and its new incarnation give a very readable, remarkably comprehensive survey of Christian spirituality through history. He posits fundamental elements, drawn from Scripture, and shows how they present themselves in the changing cultural contexts in which women and men seek spiritual fulfillment. I use this book, and will use its successor, in an undergraduate course in spirituality at a small Catholic liberal arts college. Students find it accessible and I find it theologically sound and academically adequate.
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Jim Liang
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this bookReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 2 October 2012
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Gives a wonderful overview of church history, with an emphasis on the spiritual traditions, practices, and influential people. After taking a course, with this as one of the textbooks I am now interested in pursuing further studies in this field.
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R. Griffith
3.0 out of 5 stars It is a history BookReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 1 December 2007
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It is a book made of of lists of the movements in history. Just a factual book.
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