Spiritus-A Journal of Christian Spirituality

Scope & Guideline

Exploring the Depths of Christian Spirituality

Introduction

Welcome to the Spiritus-A Journal of Christian Spirituality information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Spiritus-A Journal of Christian Spirituality, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1533-1709
PublisherJOHNS HOPKINS UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2009 to 2024
AbbreviationSPIRITUS / Spiritus
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNALS PUBLISHING DIVISION, 2715 NORTH CHARLES ST, BALTIMORE, MD 21218-4363

Aims and Scopes

Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality focuses on the exploration and understanding of Christian spirituality through various lenses, including historical, theological, and contemporary perspectives. The journal seeks to cultivate a space for dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and those interested in spirituality's role in today's world.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Spirituality:
    The journal embraces a wide range of disciplines, including theology, philosophy, social sciences, and the arts, to explore the multifaceted nature of Christian spirituality.
  2. Historical and Theological Contexts:
    It includes works that delve into historical figures, traditions, and theological developments in Christianity, aiming to connect past insights with contemporary spiritual practices.
  3. Contemporary Issues and Spiritual Responses:
    The journal addresses current societal issues, such as racism, environmental concerns, and mental health, providing spiritual insights and responses that are relevant to modern challenges.
  4. Mysticism and Contemplative Practices:
    A significant focus on mystical theology and contemplative practices highlights the experiential aspects of spirituality, encouraging deeper engagement with the divine.
  5. Cultural and Artistic Expressions of Faith:
    The journal explores how spirituality is expressed through various cultural and artistic forms, including literature, music, and visual arts, recognizing their role in shaping spiritual experiences.
Recent publications in Spiritus have highlighted several emerging themes that reflect the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and the evolving landscape of Christian spirituality.
  1. Social Justice and Activism:
    There is a growing emphasis on spirituality as a means of engaging with social justice issues, including racism and environmental concerns, reflecting a desire for spirituality to inform and inspire action in the world.
  2. Intercultural and Global Perspectives:
    An increasing number of articles focus on intercultural hermeneutics and the global dimensions of spirituality, emphasizing the rich diversity of Christian expressions across cultures.
  3. Trauma and Healing:
    The exploration of trauma-informed spirituality is becoming more prominent, addressing the impact of trauma on spiritual formation and the role of spirituality in healing processes.
  4. Integration of Art and Spirituality:
    Recent contributions highlight the intersection of art and spirituality, exploring how creative expressions can inform and enrich spiritual experiences.
  5. Contemplative Practices in Modern Contexts:
    There is a resurgence of interest in contemplative practices, with a focus on how these ancient traditions can be adapted and applied in contemporary settings.

Declining or Waning

As the journal evolves, certain themes appear to be becoming less prominent in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifts in the academic focus or changing societal contexts within the realm of Christian spirituality.
  1. Traditional Doctrinal Discussions:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in papers focused solely on traditional doctrinal discussions, indicating a shift towards more experiential and contextual approaches to spirituality.
  2. Exclusive Focus on Historical Figures:
    While historical figures remain important, there is a waning emphasis on exclusively biographical studies, as the journal increasingly prioritizes contemporary relevance and application.
  3. Narrowly Defined Spiritual Practices:
    Themes centered around narrowly defined spiritual practices are less frequent, suggesting a move towards broader, more integrative discussions that encompass diverse spiritual experiences.
  4. Secular Perspectives on Spirituality:
    The engagement with secular perspectives and comparisons with non-Christian spiritual traditions has diminished, potentially indicating a more focused return to distinctively Christian themes.
  5. Liberal Theological Critiques:
    There appears to be a decline in liberal theological critiques of traditional Christianity, as the journal shifts to explore constructive spirituality rather than solely deconstructive analyses.

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