Creative Tension: The Spiritual Legacy of Friedrich Von H?gel

by Ellen Leonard

Book Overview

Ellen M. Leonard's study of Baron Friedrich von H gel's life, thought, and spiritual vision rediscovers this important Catholic voice from the turn of the 20th Century. H gel was a lay theologian who maintained both his personal equilibrium and his spiritual leadership role during the complex days of the "modernist movement." H gel sees three elements of religion: the authoritative, historical, and institutional; the critical, speculative, and philosophical;...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0940866668
• ISBN13: 9780940866669
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: University of Scranton Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great book which deserves a better title

I first encountered the amazing Von Hugel when I came across his letters of spiritual direction to the Anglican author Evelyn Underhill. It struck me as I read them that everyone who is deeply serious about the spiritual life needs a Baron Von Hugel! I thought it would be difficult to find out more about him, but this fantastic book (really a complete life-and-work study) fits the bill. It covers Von Hugel's biography and how his life as a lay scholar, a husband, and a father affected his Catholic theology. It covers his famous three elements of religion: "the authoritative, historical, institutional; the critical, speculative, philosophical; the intuitive, vocational, mystical" and how every mature spiritual life requires all three elements. This book definitely proves how his spirituality and leadership remain highly relevant for us today.