Tomáš Špidlík: A Theological Life offers one of the first comprehensive reflections on the life and work of the enigmatic Czech theologian. In part one, Karel Sládek explores Špidlík’s thoughts on family, the formation of Jesuit priests, the ecumenical mission of the monastery at Velehrad in Moravia (where Špidlík himself studied), and the wisdom he acquired during stays in Rome. The latter part of the book focuses on Špidlík’s spiritual theology, which was grounded in a synthesis of Eastern and Western Christianity. Here, the book explores subjects such as the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist as a source of spiritual life, and the influence of the Philokalia on Eastern spirituality. 
 
By the conclusion, we see Špidlík’s most mature ideas and his forming of a theology of beauty; Špidlík spent his final years in Rome, living and working at the Centro Aletti’s renowned art studio, where he put his mind to observing the theology of art for an understanding of music, film, literature, and iconography.

Karel Sládek is associate professor at the Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University. His fields of expertise are spiritual theology, the spirituality of the Christian East, and environmental ethics. Pavlina Morgan has a bachelors in theology from the Institute of Ecumenical Studies at Charles University and a masters in the psychology of religion from Heythrop College, London. Tim Morgan has a bachelors in environmental studies from London University and a master’s in refugee studies from the University of East London.

1. A theological interpretation of the life and work of Tomáš Špidlík
1.1 The family, and spiritual sonhood and fatherhood
1.2 The theologian with the ‘spirit of Velehrad’
1.3 The sources of Špidlík’s wisdom

2. A synthesis of the spiritual theology of the Christian East and West
2.1 The Holy Spirit and the spiritual life
2.2 The Eucharist as the primary source of spiritual life
2.3 The influence of the Philokalia on Špidlík’s spiritual theology

3. Špidlík on art: A theological last will and testament
3.1 Mysticism and the theology of beauty
3.2 Czech art and the theology of anamnesis
3.3 A spiritual-theological interpretation of the films of Andrei Tarkovsky

Bibliography