Christian theology found its earliest expression in letters and Christian theologians and spiritual guides continued to use this medium as a primary mode of communication from the beginnings of the faith until our own day. Of course, St Paul was the first to write letters, many of them very personal, to the nascent Christian communities but this practice continues both within the canon of the New Testament, with later letters that bear his name and letters from other early Christian leaders, and with the churches' earliest bishops, like Ignatius and Clement.
When we get to the Middle Ages in Europe, we have such significant spiritual guides as Clare of Assisi, Angela of Foligno and Catherine of Siena using letters as the means of encouraging, guiding and teaching their spiritual offspring. Then, when we enter the modern period, we have more letters of spiritual direction from people like Fenelon, Baron von Hugel and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (forgive the wide sweep of periods). And, of course, Thomas Merton! (A friend has proposed a kind of 'Merton bingo' for me - how long will it take before he makes an appearance in any article, sermon, conversation....)
Merton was something of a connoisseur of spiritual letters and published a selection of Fenelon's letters with an introduction asking that his reputation be rehabilitated. But his main focus was, of course, on the letters he wrote to hundreds of friends and strangers, all with his characteristic insight, warmth and humour. Sometimes he initiated correspondence with writers and thinkers who caught his attention, sometimes he had protracted exchanges (as with D.T. Suzuki and John Wu), often he wrote to close friends and colleagues, and sometimes he responded to 'out-of-the-blue' contacts from those seeking a word of encouragement along their spiritual path.
The significance of letters in Christian spiritual theology is that they show its essentially relational character. Christian theology and Christian spiritual growth happen between persons and communities as they guide, teach and inspire one another towards the fullest expression of their humanity-in-relationship with others and with God. Indeed, these are one and the same thing.
So does the demise of letter writing mean the end of this rich tradition in Christian spirituality? I don't know, but I do know that I have had some significant spiritual interactions with people by email and online and I think these express the same thing as letters when the writing is done with the same care and commitment. But I also see no reason why we should not try to write more letters too. They still have, for me, a powerful presence as physical artefacts and their physicality is almost sacramental for me when they are letters written in the spirit of fraternity, grace and humility.
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