For years, I couldn’t shake the notion that St. Augustine was boring. Despite his profound influence on 1,600 years of theologians, ethicists and church leaders who’ve molded the Christian tradition, I couldn’t help but drift toward medieval mysticism or the spiritual guidance of 20th century luminaries such as Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. I routinely averted my gaze from course offerings in early Christianity, dismissing Augustine’s Confessions altogether whenever it came across my eye on the library shelves.
But Kathleen Bonnette took me on a theological journey, shedding light on how Augustine’s timeless questions continue to resonate and evolve in our modern era. Her book, (R)evolutionary Hope: A Spirituality of Encounter and Engagement in an Evolving World, weaves scholarly insights on this saint together with personal anecdotes that reflect her own evolving identity as a Catholic within the complex political landscape of the contemporary Catholic Church in the United States.
At the core of her book lies a vital narrative. Bonnette, an adult convert to Catholicism, shares her life as a theological scholar captivated by the rich intellectual tradition of the church. Simultaneously, she details her process of unlearning ingrained prejudices and attitudes around issues of race, gender, sexuality and — fundamental to all of these topics — structures of power.
I loved this book for its pursuit of ecclesial wholeness. Bonnette defies our inclination to view the church as “a power struggle” where ” ‘our side’ wins — for the good of the church” and opts instead “to reflect Christ’s heart — a heart that is always open to encounter.” In today’s polarized political climate, this approach is more crucial than ever. Through the lens of Augustine, she masterfully delves into the potential of a Catholic imagination that challenges divisiveness. This provides a fresh perspective on spirituality and active engagement in our ever-evolving world.
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(R)evolutionary Hope: A Spirituality of Encounter and Engagement in an Evolving World can be purchased in Australia from Amazon or from Booktopia.
Steven Salido Fisher holds a BA in political science from the University of Notre Dame and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. Raised between the forest preserves of Chicago and the parks of Mexico City, Steven’s dual roots manifest themselves in a love of color, storytelling and the outdoors. Previously a hospital chaplain, today Steven writes for a faith-based environmental nonprofit alongside his commitments as an illustrator and beekeeper.
With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and Steven Salido Fisher, where this article originally appeared.
