The search for happiness, towards a practical theology of joy : faith seeking beatific happiness – fides quaerens beatitudinem
Date
2020-07-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
De Gruyter
Abstract
In the light of the eudaimonic principle of pleasure/enjoyment, the
question is posed: What is meant by a spirituality of happiness? In terms of the
eucharistic perspective of graceful living, and the view that human beings are
actually playful artists (homo ludens), a practical theology of joy is proposed:
fides quaerens beatitudinem – faith seeking joyful happiness. In the light of the
Christian connection between a benevolence of grace and the biblical notion of
the beatitudes, happiness is presented as a kind of makariology: the interplay
between the benediction of a blessing and the fortitude of a peaceful mind. “Beatific enjoyment” (fruitio beatifica) is proposed as a practical theological conceptualisation of the “praxis of God”.
Description
CITATION: Louw, D. J. 2020. The search for happiness, towards a practical theology of joy: faith seeking beatific happiness – fides quaerens beatitudinem. International Journal of Practical Theology, 24 (1):111-134. doi:10.1515/ijpt-2018-0006
The original publication is available at degruyter.com/publishing/about-us/contact/contact-openaccess
The original publication is available at degruyter.com/publishing/about-us/contact/contact-openaccess
Keywords
Theology, Practical, Spirituality, Happiness, Joy, Christian life
Citation
Louw, D. J. 2020. The search for happiness, towards a practical theology of joy: faith seeking beatific happiness – fides quaerens beatitudinem. International Journal of Practical Theology, 24 (1):111-134. doi:10.1515/ijpt-2018-0006