Introduction
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Since its inception, Spiritus has been devoted to the study of Christian spirituality. Such spirituality is, of course, a discrete domain embedded within (and actively interacting with) the broader landscape of other human and religious spiritualities. There are many commonalities across this landscape, including a shared view of the human psyche, one that acknowledges and attends to a deeper dimension within, one typically reified as spirit, and sometimes signaled by a language preference for soul over the more constricted modern notion of the self.
Yet there is also a distinctly Christian construal of the subject at hand. In its apprehensions of the transcendent, the Christian imagination consistently presupposes an Other with whom we have to do, and acknowledges this Other as a triunity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Such basic premises about both our humanity and the transcendent have generated a rich spiritual tradition through the centuries, and continue decisively to shape the lived experience of Christians.
As we have noted, Spiritus is committed to the scholarly exploration of such Christian experience, with a view to enhanced understanding of it and greater appreciation for its diverse expressions and contemporary relevance. And yet, as tensions escalate in the world, and our shared future appears more and more ominous, it may seem that the ongoing exploration of Christian spiritual experience and practice is little more than an escapist indulgence—a narcissistic distraction from the far more urgent challenges now facing humanity. We must honestly face up to the possibility that such criticism may be warranted. But there is another perspective that must be given equal consideration: Might it be that the spiritual condition of humanity is actually the decisive epicenter of this moment in history, the wellspring of everything else, and that its health and vibrancy may well determine our collective future? If so, it is urgent that we renew our commitment to this task, and apply ourselves to it, notwithstanding the dead weight of all that is so dispiriting at this time.
The global expansion of the study of Christian spirituality is an encouraging development. Insightful scholars from a widening array of contexts are speaking into the collective conversations underway. A recent example of this [End Page 1] broader trend was a conference cosponsored by the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and entitled "Christian Spirituality as a Pathway for the Modern Seeker." It was organized under the capable leadership of Philip Daughtry and met in July 2022 at the Tabor Institute of Higher Education in Adelaide, South Australia. To our knowledge, this may have been the first such gathering in this part of the world. We are pleased to be able to include in this issue four essays that evolved from papers presented there, and want to express our gratitude to their authors, and also to Australian scholar Stuart Devenish for his help in moving these essays along toward publication.
Typically, the editorial introduction to an issue of Spiritus focuses almost exclusively on its essay content, while our always-substantive poetry section is rather taken for granted. A penitential correction of such neglect is overdue. We are ever so grateful for the steady provision of outstanding poems, issue after issue, by our poetry editor Mark Burrows. And we are particularly pleased this time around to acknowledge that all eleven of the poets and poems gathered here are of Australian origin. These voices from Down Under speak with unique sensibilities. Our cover art was selected to highlight this Australian connection.
Collectively, these Australian contributions remind us how important it is for the cultivation of Christian spirituality in this part of the world for Christians to come to terms with the history of colonialism, the ominous changes in the climate and environment that have ensued, and the surviving culture and presence of the Aboriginal community in this region. Among others, Claire Watson, in her poem "Mount Nelson," speaks poignantly to all this during what she describes as a warm walk in Tasmania, where "the sharp scent of eucalypts perfumes the still and heavy air." She continues:
As I walk my thoughts keep wandering backto our early years of failing to pay rentfor these...
