The Pilgrim Paradigm

Pilgrimage is a fitting metaphor for our times. Movement, displacement, discovery, embodiment, and encounter appeal to the contemporary mind. It is not surprising that pilgrimages attract broad interest from travelers, dreamers, and readers. This contemporary interest continues a long tradition.


Despite the enduring popularity of pilgrimages, Christian theology has not fully engaged this reality. On the theological front, there lacks an explicit theology of pilgrimage. From this oversight stems an invitation to consider pilgrimage in theology anew.

The aim here is to explore the richness of the pilgrimage metaphor and reality to see how we can let ourselves be challenged theologically—intellectually and practically—by pilgrim insights. †