The discussion between J. Sobrino and J.L. Segundo on the Christology of the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola

Abstract

Without attempting to conduct a new study on Christology in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, the author offers a comparison of two different hermeneutics of this Christology, which are interesting because they are both immersed in the Latin American context, although here too the plurality of situations is enormous: turbulent Central America and secular Uruguay are two clear examples of this. This marks the differences in the discourses of both theologians. There is undoubtedly a common denominator between the two, which is to maintain a proper distance from an eminently Paschal, top-down, divine Christology in order to better absorb what a historical Christology can offer. Sobrino and Segundo offer two very different readings of the Christological background of the Exercises. For Sobrino, Ignatian spirituality is an accurate outline of a Christology of discipleship. For Segundo, on the other hand, Ignatius still carries significant theological baggage and fails to free himself from a “Christology of trial.”