Reformed Theological Seminary - Charlotte
Christian Spirituality (DME 875)
July 13–17, 2015
Professor Tom Schwanda, Ph.D.
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. The three questions that will guide our reading and discussion are: What spiritual disciplines did these earlier Christians use to cultivate their relationship with God? If this person was your spiritual guide how might they have mentored you? What insights and resources could be retrieved from these Christians to strengthen and encourage 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, 1964.
Dupre, Louis and James A. Wiseman. eds. Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism. 2d. ed. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2001.
Holt, Bradley P. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality, 2d ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.
Schwanda, Tom. Soul Recreation: The Contemplative–Mystical Piety of Puritanism. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2012.
Spener, Philip Jacob, Pia Desideria, trans. Theodore G. Tappert. nl: Fortress Press, 1964.
The Holy Bible (whichever translation you typically use in your devotions or preaching or teaching)
Cross Reader
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 Christianity
Read: Schwanda, Soul Recreation
Monday afternoon: Desert and Patristic Spirituality
Read: Sayings of the Desert Tradition (reader), Augustine (Light from Light) and Rule of St. Benedict
Tuesday morning: Monastic and Orthodox Spirituality
Read: Bernard (Light from Light) and John Chrysostom, St. Theophan (reader) and
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. 850–920)
Wednesday afternoon: Roman Catholic Reformation
Read: Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross (Light from Light)
Thursday morning: Puritanism and Pietism
Read: Ambrose (Reader) and Spener
Thursday afternoon: Evangelical Spirituality
Read: Wesley and Evangelical Spirituality (Marked “CWS” in Reader)
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, 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.
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 10-15 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. The paper is due October 30 in the DMin office.
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 October 30 in the DMin office.
Grading
Class participation - 20%
Reading Report - 20%
Devotional Classics Research Paper - 30%
Integration Paper – 30%
Devotional Classic Paper Suggestions
Evagrius John Climacus
Gregory of Nyssa John Cassian
Gregory of Nazianzus Basil
Augustine Gregory of Palamas
Dionysius the Aeropagite Origen
Jerome St. Francis
St. Patrick Columba of Iona
Gregory the Great Bonaventure
Clare of Assisi Thomas Aquinas
Johannes Eckhart Jan van Ruysbroek
Benedict Bernard of Clairvaux
William of St. Thierry Symeon the New Theologian
Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain Athanasius
Jean Gerson Jan van Ruysbroeck
Hugh of St. Victor Richard Rolle
Walter Hilton Mechthild of Magdeburg
Hildegard of Bingen Dominic Guzman
Julian of Norwich Catherine of Siena
Anselm John Hus
Wyclif Menno Simons
Martin Luther John Calvin
Martin Bucer Menno Simons
Ignatius of Loyola John of the Cross
Teresa of Avila Philip Jacob Spener
Count Zinzendorf Francis de Sales
George Herbert Richard Baxter
Jeremy Taylor Madame J. Guyon
John Buynan John Owen
Richard Sibbes Isaac Ambrose
Willem Teellinck Jodocus Lodenstein
George Fox John Woolman
Brother Lawrence Joseph Hart
Sarah Jones Cotton Mather
John Henry Newman Johann Arndt
Matthew Henry William Law
Charles Wesley John Wesley
Anne Bradstreet William Wilberforce
George Whitefield John Newton
Charles Simeon Hannah More
Anne Dutton Anne Steele
William Williams William Cowper
Andrew Murray Abraham Kuyper
Charles Spurgeon Alexander Whyte
Rufus Jones Baron Friedrich von Hugel
Susanna Anthony Amy Carmichael
Course Objectives Related to DMin* Student Learning Outcomes
DMin* Student Learning OutcomesIn 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
Ø Strong
Ø Moderate
Ø Minimal
Ø None / Mini-Justification
Biblical/
Theological Foundations: / Significant knowledge of biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry. (This includes interaction with Biblical texts, as well as awareness of Reformed Theology.) / Moderate / Course is historical and spiritual in focus, 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 class.
Historical/
Contemporary Practices: / Significant knowledge of historical and contemporary practices of pastoral ministry. / Strong / 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.
Integration: / Ability to reflect upon and integrate theology and practice, as well as implementation in a contemporary pastoral setting. / Strong / The issue of intentional integration of spiritual theology and devotional practices will be highlighted throughout the course.
Sanctification: / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids in the student’s sanctification. / Strong / The course will address issues of Christian spirituality from the first century to the present.
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, Soul Recreation ______%
Spener, Pia Desideria ______%
Course Reader ______%
______
Name Date
5
7