Fall 2013/Pasadena
SP511
Hernandez
SP511: HENRI NOUWEN: A SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION. Wil Hernandez.
DESCRIPTION: This practical theology course focuses on the spiritual journey of Henri Nouwen—which represents the very nature of our own journey reality—with particular emphases on his integrated ministry approach and his counterintuitive brand of spirituality. First of all, it is a synthesis of Nouwen’s holistic approach to Christian formation—one that integrates spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology together in a seamless fashion. Secondly, it is an exploration of Nouwen’s spirituality of imperfection, which he embodied throughout his lived experience—where the journey toward perfection is through the realities of imperfection. Lastly, it highlights the reality of tension amidst the existence of spiritual polarities in our journey, which Nouwen embraced in his life.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This practical theology course exposes us to Nouwen’s integrative approach to the ministry of Christian formation (spiritual, communal, and missional)—one that goes against the expert-driven, individualistic, and overly specialized approach that is often one-dimensional, hierarchical, and highly institutionalized in focus.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: It is hoped that by the end of the course the student will (1) be able to acquire a balanced understanding of the inward, outward, and upward nature of the spiritual journey and appropriate its reality within one’s own experience; (2) be able to embrace a more integrated understanding of such journeying experience that incorporates the coinherent realities of spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology; (3) be exposed to Nouwen’s approach to the ministry of Christian formation with its combined spiritual, communal, and missional thrust as well as recognize its relevance and application to the local church; (4) be able to grasp in both theological and practical ways a spirituality of imperfection that Nouwen embodied himself; (5) be able to comprehend more deeply the reality of tension in our journey and learn how to befriend it in a way that results in one’s inner transformation; (6) be able to apply the art and discipline of theological reflection in whatever ministry context one finds him/herself.
COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of class lectures, student report/discussion, and small group interaction. The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half hour sessions. In addition, this class requires attendance at a residential (overnight) spiritual retreat. If you cannot attend the retreat (including overnight stays), you should not register for this course. Auditors must obtain permission from instructor to audit the course and will need to coordinate retreat payment with the instructor, as their Fuller student accounts will not be charged.
REQUIRED READING:
Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection. Paulist Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0809144341, Pub. Price $16.95 [155 pp.].
________. Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration. Paulist Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0809145461, Pub. Price $14.95 [104 pp.].
________. Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities: A Life of Tension. Paulist Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0809147410, Pub. Price $16.95 [142 pp.].
Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Image Books, 1975. ISBN: 978-0385236829, Pub. Price $10.95 [166 pp.].
________. The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ. HarperSanFrancisco, 1977. ISBN: 978-0866839150, Pub. Price $10.00 [80 pp.].
________. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1989. ISBN: 978-0824512590, Pub. Price $ 14.95 [107 pp.].
Choose ONE biography:
Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Doubleday, 1999. ISBN: 978-0385493727, Pub. Price $23.95 [234 pp.].
O’Laughlin, Michael. God’s Beloved: A Spiritual Biography of Henri Nouwen. Orbis, 2004. ISBN: 978-1570755613, Pub. Price $16.00 [198 pp.].
Choose ONE journal:
Nouwen, Henri J. M. The Genessee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery. Image Books, 1989. ISBN: 978-0385174466, Pub. Price $10.95 [223 pp.].
________. ¡Gracias!: A Latin American Journal. Orbis, 1983. ISBN: 978-0883448519, Pub. Price $12.00 [188 pp.].
________. The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey. Image Books, 1988. ISBN: 978-0385245531, Pub. Price $ 12.95 [228 pp.].
________. Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year. Crossroad, 1998. ISBN: 978-0824518783, Pub. Price $ 15.95 [226 pp.].
Selected articles by Nouwen.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Full attendance and participation in weekly sessions, including class and personal retreats (15%)
Thoughtful reading of the assigned textbooks and course materials (10%)
Eight-page Integration Paper focusing on spirituality’s coinherence with either psychology, ministry, or theology (15%)
Two-page Personal Essay addressing one’s own spirituality of imperfection (10%)
Three-page Interactive Journal Analysis (choose one from Nouwen’s four journals; 10%)
One-page Retreat Reflection Paper (5%)
Three-page Book Report: A Portrait of Nouwen (based on one of his two biographies; 10%)
Group Presentation (based on In the Name of Jesus; 15%)
Four-page Theological Reflection Case Study Worksheet (10%)
PREREQUISITES: None. No audits.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Spirituality requirement (SP2; SPIR) in MA programs; meets MDiv requirement in General Ministry (MIN 1).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.