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Von Hügel Institute

for Critical Catholic Inquiry
 

Biography

Philip Sheldrake was educated at the University of Oxford and University of London and obtained research degrees in history and theology. He taught first at Heythrop College, University of London, and was subsequently lecturer in Church History, Cambridge Theological Federation and Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge. He was then Vice-Principal and Academic Director at Sarum College, affiliated to the University of Wales Lampeter, where he was also Honorary Professor (1998-2013). He was William Leech Professor of Applied Theology, Durham University from 2003-2008, then Joseph Visiting Professor of Catholic Theology, Boston College MA during 2008-2009. He returned to the Cambridge Theological Federation as Senior Research Fellow in 2010 and has also been professor at the Oblate School of Theology from 2013. He is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and of the Royal Historical Society. He was awarded the DD by University of Oxford in 2015.

Research

  • Christian spirituality as an interdisciplinary field: historical, theological and socio-cultural dimensions
  • Medieval & Reformation religious thought – currently writing on Julian of Norwich
  • Christian contributions to thinking about the meaning and future of cities
  • The interdisciplinary writings of Michel de Certeau

Current research includes a book contracted with OUP titled: "Civility: Cultivating Public Virtues"

Publications

Key publications: 

Authored & edited books:

  • A World Transfigured: The Mystical Journey (2022). 
  • The Spiritual Way: Classic Traditions and Contemporary Practice (2019).
  • Julian of Norwich—“In God’s Sight”: Her Theology in Context (2019).
  • Surrender to Christ for Mission: French Spiritual Traditions (2018).
  • Italian edition of Spirituality: A Very Short Introduction [originally Oxford University Press 2012], (2017).
  • A Spiritual City: Theology, Spirituality & The Urban (2014).
  • Spirituality: A Brief History (2013).
  • Explorations in Spirituality: History, Theology and Social Practice (2010).
  • Heaven in Ordinary: A George Herbert Reader (2009).
  • Ed. The New SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (2005).
  • Spaces for the Sacred: Place, Memory & Identity (2001).
  • Spirituality & Theology: Christian Life and the Doctrine of God (1998).
  • Living Between Worlds: Place and Journey in Celtic Christianity (1997).
  • Spirituality & History: Questions of Interpretation and Method (1991, Revised edition 1996).
  • Ed. The Way of Ignatius Loyola: Contemporary Approaches to the Study of the Spiritual Exercises (1991).

Also numerous book essays and journal articles.

Senior Research Associate
Senior Research Fellow, Cambridge Theological Federation
Professor, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio Texas
Professor Philip  Sheldrake

Contact Details

Email address: 

 

 

A unique institute of advanced studies inspired by Catholic thought and culture, focussed on contemporary global realities, and dedicated to encounter, dialogue, and transformation