Volume 12, Issue 3, October 1999

In this article the author argues that moral theologians must seek to overcome the separation between moral and ascetical theology. Such a distinction entered practical theology comparatively recently. The first part of the article consists chiefly of a historical survey, beginning with the writings of the twelfth century, pointing to the close connection between evangelical and spiritual activity that found in conscience the voice of God. By emphasising a scripture based, holistic, self-directed, embodied and relational practical theology, ascetical theology offers moral theology a way of exploring a broadened and positive agenda for examining the ethical life.