The Centre, based in the Department of Humanities, combines the current research activities of all the biblical scholars at the University of Gloucestershire and brings together those in other subject areas within the University who share an interest in spirituality. By establishing a critical mass of research in this area it aims to be internationally recognised as the leading UK research centre for the dialogue between biblical studies and contemporary issues in spirituality.
Interest in spirituality has become a prominent feature of contemporary culture and sociologists of religion argue that spirituality is fast replacing religion as that which gives many people their basic orientation to life. Spirituality can be described as a sense of fullness that gives direction to life, whether experienced by those who maintain an immanent framework or by those who hold that human flourishing needs goals beyond itself (Taylor, A Secular Age, 2007). Among the latter, the Christian tradition has always nurtured an emphasis on spirituality rooted in the Bible and its interpretation. Biblical scholars for the most part, however, pursue their work without making connections with either this religious tradition or present-day interest in the broader phenomenon of spirituality. The Centre thus exists to encourage, foster and develop biblical scholarship in relation to spirituality and to facilitate interdisciplinary scholarship in this area.
The Centre will host a forthcoming international symposium on the Bible and Spirituality and an ongoing series of interdisciplinary seminars addressing contemporary issues in spirituality.