Vol. XXXVIII / 1 - Studia Moralia

MODELS AND MULTIVALENCE 55
The Contextual Model
Summary. Another model for the interaction of spirituality
and moral theology uses one discipline to contextualize the
other. More often than not it is spirituality which is used to
provide the general parameters within which moral theology
should be presented, studied, and understood. That is not to say
that moral theology cannot do the same for spirituality, only that
it happens more rarely – if at all. This model presupposes set
boundaries between the two disciplines and is not one to
encourage a deep interchange of ideas between them. It
recognizes, however, that both disciplines are praxis-oriented
and can benefit greatly if one is read in light of the other. To
accomplish this aim, the model often uses an inclusio/exclusio
format, which sandwiches the central discipline under
consideration between an introduction and conclusion from the
other (e.g., a/b/a or spirituality/moral theology/spirituality). This
a/b/a arrangement encircles the topic of discussion from one
discipline in an appropriate literary context of the other, thus
demonstrating the relevance of one field for the other without
requiring an in-depth interaction. Entire books can be written in
this manner, with each chapter exhibiting the same contextual
structure. When done well, such contextualization sheds light on
the material being treated in the central discipline. When done
poorly, the introductory and concluding pieces stick out badly
and actually become a distraction. In either case, the interaction
between spirituality and moral theology occurs only in the
context that one provides for the other. If some theologians look
upon this approach as a mere literary gimmick that makes their
writings easier to read and more accessible to the general public,
others see in it an intrinsic link between the content of their
research and the context in which they present it. This latter
concern becomes even more evident when the context used to
introduce and conclude the material under investigation comes
from that dimension of the other discipline which directly
touches upon human experience. Contextualizing one’s material
in this way can also pave the way for the employment of other
models that allow for more of an interaction between the two
disciplines.
Strengths. This model has a number of strengths. For one