Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando Christian Spirituality (DM 843) July 15 19, 2019

Transcription

1 Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando Christian Spirituality (DM 843) July 15 19, 2019 Professor Rev. Tom Schwanda, Ph.D. tom.schwanda@wheaton.edu Course Description This course provides an overview to the history of the major leaders and movements of Christian spirituality. Beginning with the early church we will examine some of the primary writings that are representative of Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant spirituality. Our concern will be how these earlier voices might speak to our contemporary church. Three questions will guide our reading and discussion: What spiritual disciplines did these Christians use to cultivate their relationship with God? If this person was your spiritual guide how might they have mentored you or the people from your ministry? What insights and resources could be retrieved from these believers to strengthen and encourage you and your ministry? Required Texts Benedict, RB 1980, Rule of St. Benedict in English, ed. Timothy Fry. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1982 John Chrysostom, Six Books of the Priesthood. Crestwood NY: St. Vladimir s Press, Dupre, Louis and James A. Wiseman. eds. Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism. 2d. ed. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, Holt, Bradley P. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality, 3rd. ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Schwanda, Tom. The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality: The Age of Edwards, Newton and Whitefield (Classics of Western Spirituality). Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, Spener, Philip Jacob, Pia Desideria, trans. Theodore G. Tappert. nl: Fortress Press, The Holy Bible (whichever translation you typically use in your devotions or preaching or teaching) Digital Readings on various primary texts 1

2 Course Outline and Topics Please read all of the selections below before coming to class so we can discuss them. Bradley Holt, Thirsty for God is for background and will not be discussed but provides a helpful context for our class. Monday morning: Foundations and Introduction to Christian Spirituality Read: Sayings of the Desert Tradition (reader) Monday afternoon: Desert and Patristic Spirituality Read: Augustine (Light from Light), Rule of St. Benedict Tuesday morning: Monastic and Orthodox Spirituality Read: Bernard (Light from Light), John Chrysostom, Six Books of the Priesthood and St. Theophan (reader) Tuesday afternoon: Medieval Spirituality Read: Julian of Norwich and Catherine of Siena (Light from Light) and Hus (Reader) Wednesday morning: Protestant Reformation Read: Luther (reader) and Calvin, Institutes 3.20 ( On Prayer use your own copy. I will be using the McNeill edition, pp ) Wednesday afternoon: Roman Catholic Reformation Read: Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross (Light from Light) Thursday morning: Pietism and Evangelical Spirituality Read: Spener, Pia Desideria and Schwanda, Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality Thursday afternoon: Evangelical Spirituality Read: Read: Schwanda, Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality Friday morning: Contemporary Spirituality and Devotional Classic Summaries Read: Merton, Thérèse of Lisieux and Evelyn Underhill (Light from Light) and Celtic Spirituality (Reader) Devotional Classics Research Assignment Each student will select and read a devotional classic that is approved by the professor. See the suggestive list of suggested persons below. This 10 page (minimum) paper will consist of three sections that must be clearly marked: (1) Background and context of your person. Provide an adequate background to situate your person within his or her setting noting what social, cultural, 2

3 political issues might have shaped their writing. (2) Summary of the themes of your devotional classic. Provide a clear overview of the major themes of your devotional text and comment on at least three of them in greater detail. (3) Contemporary application. How does your classic speak to and challenge you and how might it guide and encourage your ministry setting? You should use at least 3 4 quality research sources for the first section of your paper. Please write the paper in 12-point font, double-spaced with footnotes and bibliography. Paper due date October 30. Please submit this paper and all assignments directing to the professor. Students will present a brief 3 5 minute presentation on the last day of class of whom they have selected and why that individual interests them. Integration Paper Students will write a page paper in which you will select three of your favorite authors from this class. Clearly mark the following themes in your paper (1) Reason for your selection. Briefly explain your motivation for selecting your chosen authors. What is it about their writing that you find attractive? (2) Summary of their main themes. Highlight at least 2-3 specific themes or quotes for each of your authors and expand on the significance of them for you. Also include how their writings challenge or encourage you in your ministry. (3) A specific question you would like to ask each of your writers. This could be about something that you didn t understand or an area in which you would like further clarification. Paper due date October 30 Reading Report A reading report is attached to this syllabus. Students should indicate the percentage of reading that has been completed by the end of the course. This one-page report is due date October 30 Grading Class participation - 20% Reading Report - 20% Devotional Classics Research Paper - 30% Integration Paper 30% Devotional Classic Paper Suggestions (meant as suggestions) Evagrius Gregory of Nyssa Gregory of Nazianzus Augustine Dionysius the Aeropagite John Climacus John Cassian Basil Gregory of Palamas Origen 3

4 Jerome St. Patrick Gregory the Great Clare of Assisi Johannes Eckhart Benedict William of St. Thierry Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain Jean Gerson Hugh of St. Victor Walter Hilton Hildegard of Bingen Julian of Norwich Anselm Wyclif Martin Luther Martin Bucer Ignatius of Loyola Teresa of Avila Count Zinzendorf George Herbert Jeremy Taylor John Buynan Richard Sibbes Willem Teellinck George Fox Brother Lawrence Sarah Jones John Henry Newman Matthew Henry Charles Wesley Anne Bradstreet George Whitefield Charles Simeon Anne Dutton William Williams Andrew Murray Charles Spurgeon Rufus Jones Susanna Anthony St. Francis Columba of Iona Bonaventure Thomas Aquinas Jan van Ruysbroek Bernard of Clairvaux Symeon the New Theologian Athanasius Jan van Ruysbroeck Richard Rolle Mechthild of Magdeburg Dominic Guzman Catherine of Siena John Hus Menno Simons John Calvin Menno Simons John of the Cross Philip Jacob Spener Francis de Sales Richard Baxter Madame J. Guyon John Owen Isaac Ambrose Jodocus Lodenstein John Woolman Joseph Hart Cotton Mather Johann Arndt William Law John Wesley William Wilberforce John Newton Hannah More Anne Steele William Cowper Abraham Kuyper Alexander Whyte Baron Friedrich von Hugel Amy Carmichael 4

5 Course Objectives Related to DMin* Student Learning Outcomes DMin* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the DMin curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the DMin outcomes. Rubric Strong Moderate Minimal None Mini-Justification Biblical/ Theological Foundations: Historical/ Contemporary Practices: Integration: Sanctification: Significant knowledge of biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry. (This includes interaction with Biblical texts, as well as awareness of Reformed Theology.) Significant knowledge of historical and contemporary practices of pastoral ministry. Ability to reflect upon and integrate theology and practice, as well as implementation in a contemporary pastoral setting. Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids in the student s sanctification. Moderate Strong Strong Strong The course is historical and spiritual in nature and will deal with theological issues as each period of Christian spirituality is explored. Sensitivity to the role of Scripture will be highlighted throughout the course. This course will examine how Christians over the centuries have sought to deepen their life in Jesus Christ. Significant attention will be given to the question of contemporary application of spiritual practices from the past. The issue of intentional integration of spiritual theology and devotional practices will be highlighted throughout the course. This is reflective of the experimental piety of the Protestant Reformers, Puritans and early evangelicals. The course will address sanctification throughout the reading and discussion of the topics as a primary focus of Christian spirituality from the first century to the present. 5

6 Christian Spirituality Reading Report Please state the percentage of the Required Reading that you have completed. Benedict, Rule of St. Benedict Calvin, Institutes, 3.20 John Chrysostom, Six Books of the Priesthood Dupre and Wiseman, Light from Light Holt, Thirsty for God Schwanda, The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality Spener, Pia Desideria Course Reader Name Date 6