DESCRIPTION:

A survey of the practice of piety in the Roman Catholic, Reformed, and Arminian traditions, with a focus upon the distinctive theology of each. "Spirituality" is understood to encompass both the inward activity of the spiritual disciplines and the outward activity of social involvement (Matt. 6:6; James 1:27). Therefore, in all three traditions the relation of justification to sanctification, of faith to works, will receive detailed attention. The course will examine the thought and piety of such notable figures as Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Margery Kemp; Luther, Calvin, and John Bunyan; George Fox, Margaret Fell, and John Wesley.

Christians in different ages and cultures have understood spirituality in different terms, and the disciplines of piety have varied almost as dramatically as theology. Through a comparative historical method, this course will foster critical discernment regarding the nature of Christian spirituality. It will encourage empathy for other traditions of piety, and commitment to one's own.

The class will meet two hours twice a week for lectures and discussion.

Augustine. Confessions. Penguin, 1961.

Calvin, John. Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life. Baker, 1975.

Luther, Martin. Three Treatises. Fortress, 1970.

Tavard, George. Justification: An Ecumenical Study. Paulist, 1983.

Toon, Peter. Justification and Sanctification. Crossway, 1983.

Wesley, John. Christian Perfection. Mimeograph.

Williams, Rowan. Christian Spirituality. John Knox, 1979.

In addition, there will also be several short works on reserve as required reading.

Three papers of five to seven pages each which integrate the assigned reading and lectures will be due at the end of the fifth, eighth, and eleventh weeks of class. The first paper will focus upon Roman Catholic spirituality; the second and third papers will examine the relation of Roman Catholic to Reformed, and Reformed to Arminian spirituality, respectively. The grade for the course will rest upon these three papers.

None.

Meets the M.A.T. requirement in Spirituality (SPIR).

None.