Spiritus Loci

In Spiritus Loci Bert Daelemans, who graduated as an architect and a theologian, provides an interdisciplinary method for the theological assessment of church architecture. Rather than a theory, this method is based on case studies of contemporary buildings (1995-2015), which are often criticized for lacking theological depth. In a threefold method, the author brings to light the ways in which architecture can be theology – or theotopy – by focusing on topoi (places) rather than logoi (words). Churches reveal our relationship with God by engaging our body, mind, and community. This method proves relevant not only for the way we perceive these buildings, but also for the way we use them, especially in our prophetic engagement for a better world.

This book contains eighteen original essays by leading Joyce scholars on the eighteen separate chapters of Ulysses. It attempts to explore the richness of Joyce's extraordinary novel more fully than could be done by any single scholar. Joyce's habit of using, when writing each chapter in Ulysses, a particular style, tone, point of view, and narrative structure gives each contributor a special set of problems with which to engage, problems which coincide in every case with certain of his special interests. The essays in this volume complement and illuminate one another to provide the most comprehensive account yet published of Joyce's many-sided masterpiece.

Having won more than one recent poll as Britain’s best-loved building, the appeal of Durham Cathedral appears abiding, which begs the question whether an iconic sacred building can retain meaning and affective pertinence for contemporary, secular visitors. Using the example of Durham Cathedral, this book sets out to explore wherein the appeal of historic churches lies today and considers questions of how and why their preservation into a post-Christian era should be secured. By including feedback from visitors to the cathedral, and the author’s own very personal account of the cathedral in the form of an ekphrasis, this work seeks to privilege an interpretation of architecture that is based on the individual experience rather than on more conventional narratives of architecture history and cultural heritage policy. Recognising the implication of our choice of narrative on the perceived value of historic churches is crucial when deliberating their future role. This book puts forth a compelling case for historical sacred architecture, suggesting that its loss - through imperceptive conservation practices as much as through neglect or demolition - would diminish us all, secularists, atheists and agnostics included.

Reviewing peace and reconciliation, secular pilgrimages, and international perspectives on sacred journeys, this book offers the reader an opportunity to encounter multiple voices and viewpoints on one of the most ancient practices of humankind. With an estimated third of all international travellers now undertaking journeys anticipating an aspect of transformation (the hallmark of pilgrimage), this book includes both spiritual and non-spiritual voyages, such as journeys of self-therapy, mindfulness and personal growth. An innovative and engaging addition to the pilgrimage literature, this book provides an important resource for researchers of religious tourism and related subjects.

On Soul and Earth offers an original perspective on the relationship between the environment and the human psyche. Physical spaces contribute to the building of identity through personal experience and memory. Places evoke emotions and carry their own special meanings. Elena Liotta and her contributors also explore the neglected topics of migration and travel. The author has extensive clinical experience of working with patients from a wide variety of national and cultural backgrounds. Globalization is present in the clinical office as well as in the wider world and the transformations currently being wrought in the areas of cultural and national identity also impact on clinical work. This book will be of interest to Jungian analysts as well as psychotherapists and mental health professionals, especially those who are addressing transcultural and multicultural issues including voluntary or enforced migration. It will also appeal to urban planners, architects and those interested in environmental issues.

Approaching the Threshold of Mystery brings two recently estranged strands of theology back together, to explore the same 'liturgical worlds' and to chart 'theological spaces'. The editors have assembled a formidable group of scholars from systematic and liturgical theology with the express purpose of examining the mystery of the liturgy with both expert perspectives in mind. The result is thirteen essays that return to a more 'synoptic' theology, seeing speculative and liturgical approaches as united together for a common purpose, and ultimately approaching the same mysterious, sacred reality. In today's fragmented world, this approach is sorely needed, and although many postmodern authors point out the need for healing this division, this volume actually attempts to bridge the disciplinary divide by placing specialists within the same prayerful 'space', oriented towards something greater than what is merely enacted in human words and deeds.

This study brings into focus the issue of reproduction and transformation of cultural authority in the so-called post-Soviet context. Being anchored to sociological theories on intellectual autonomy and empowerment through narrativization, it approaches daily practices, situations and popular narratives which bring insight into everyday concerns and motivations of the educated Western Ukrainians.