Vol. XXXVIII / 1 - Studia Moralia

62 DENNIS J. BILLY
the similarities and differences between the two fields, as well as
an intense desire to work together on areas of common concern.
It calls for the formulation of helpful parameters within which
such dialogue can occur and warns participants of the danger
that can accrue from a monopolization of the theological
discourse by one of the conversing partners. The model can also
be applied to the various models for the interaction of spiritual
and moral theology themselves. It does so mainly by
encouraging them to strengthen their ties through a
comparative analysis of their relevant likenesses and differences.
As such, it provides an important model for how the
juxtaposition of the various models can take place and offers a
context within which a deeper understanding of how this logical
web of insights might be understood.
7. The contextual model offers loose literary ties as a way of
understanding the interaction between spirituality and moral
theology. It emphasizes the importance of context for
interpreting the content under consideration and encourages a
close reading of one in light of the other. However close that
reading may be, the boundaries between the two disciplines
remain very distinct and the strength of the bonds between the
two disciplines relatively light. This model draws attention to
those less intensive ways in which spirituality and moral
theology relate – and relishes them. It can also be readily applied
to the logical web of insights used to depict the interaction
between the two disciplines. Here, the juxtaposition of models
provides the necessary context from which to view the ongoing
interaction of the two disciplines. Once the logical web is
removed, there is no solid foundation for understanding how the
interface of spirituality and morality takes place over time. From
this perspective, the logical web of insights becomes a complex
conceptual (or “literary”) construct, whose sole purpose is to
provide an adequate hermeneutical context for understanding
the ongoing interaction of the two disciplines.
8. The absorption model raises the possibility of a new type
of integration between spirituality and moral theology. As such,
it forces theologians to imagine the ongoing evolution of
theology and envision a day when the present distinctions
among the disciplines will no longer be needed. In this way, it
projects into the future a teleological point of orientation toward