Bridges and Breaches in the History of European Spirituality: Introduction to a Thematic Issue

Introduction to a double thematic issue, the second part of which will appear in print in 2017. The authors argue that a truly historical understanding of spirituality is complicated by the historical claims of present-day proponents of spirituality, as well by the commonplace that “spirituality” is distinct from, or an alternative to “institutional religion.” This conceptual opposition itself merits scholarly analysis, as do appropriations of the past – both being indicative of the self-understanding of those involved.