Spring 2020/Fuller Online

CH517

Carter

CH517: CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY (4 Units: 160 hours). Grayson Carter.

DESCRIPTION: This course presents a historical survey of the piety and devotional practices of four of the most important Christian traditions: Eastern Orthodox, Celtic, Roman Catholic and Protestant. “Spirituality” is understood to encompass both the inward activity of the various spiritual disciplines as well as the outward activity of social involvement (see Matthew 6:6 and James 1:27). Through extensive use of primary source material, this course will examine and reflect upon the thought and piety of a number of important figures from Christian history, including St. Antony, St. Augustine, St. Bernard, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Herbert, Jeremy Taylor and John Wesley

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students should: (1) develop a basic factual and thematic knowledge of the history and practice of Christian spirituality; (2) secure a basic competence in the interpretation of various traditions of Christian spirituality; (3) learn to evaluate various issues relevant to the history and practice of Christian spirituality; (4) possess the ability critically and sympathetically to appreciate the breadth, unity and diversity of the history of Christian spirituality.

RELAIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: TH4 courses fulfill the MDiv and MAT PLOs that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.” Addresses MAICS Area of Interest Class “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: (1633 total pages):

Week 1: Introduction to the History of Christian Spirituality: Sittser, Gerald L. Water From a Deep Well (IVP, 2010). ISBN: 9780830837458. $26.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. 295 pages.

Week 2: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers: St. Athanasius. The Life of Antony (Paulist, 1980). ISBN: 9780809122950. $21.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. 129 pp.

Week 3: Celtic Spirituality: Davies, Oliver, ed., Celtic Spirituality (Paulist, 2000). ISBN: 9780809138944. $31.95. 120 pp. (assigned).

Week 4: Augustinian Spirituality: St. Augustine. Confessions (Oxford, 2009). ISBN: 9780199537822. $7.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. 305 pp.

Week 5: Benedictine Spirituality: St. Benedict. The Rule of Saint Benedict (Vintage, 1998). ISBN: 9780375700170. $13.95. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library. 112 pp.

Week 6: Franciscan Spirituality: St. Francis of Assisi, The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi (Vintage, 1998). ISBN: 9780375700200. $14.00. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library. 116 pp.

Week 7: Medieval Mysticism: Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (Oxford, 2015). ISBN: 9780199641185. $17.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. 169 pp.

Week 8: Reformation Spirituality: Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian (handout). 14 pp; John Calvin, The Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Baker, 2004). ISBN: 9780801065286. $5.50. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. 94 pp.

Week 9: Anglican Spirituality: Herbert, George, The Country Parson (Paulist, 1981). ISBN: 9780809122981. $29.95. 115 pp. Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living, Holy Dying (handout). 4 pp.

Week 10: Wesleyan Spirituality: Wesley, John, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Beacon Hill/Foundry, 2015). ISBN: 9780834135239. $15.99. 160 pp. $15.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

RECOMMENDED READING: See Course Syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Required reading, viewing/listening to the weekly PowerPoint lectures, regular forum participation including active online response (30% of final grade). A minimum of three forum posts each week will be required; one of around 500 words and two around 250 words each [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 3, 4]. [70 hours of reading, plus 30 instructional hours = 100 hours total].
2. Signature Assignment: Students will be required to produce a 10-page research paper covering some aspect of the history of Christian spirituality. (35% of final grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 3, and 4]. [30 hours].
3. Students will be required to produce a second 10-page research paper on some aspect of the history of Christian spirituality. (35% of final grade). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 3, and 4]. [30 hours].
4. Extra Credit Research Paper (10% maximum added credit).

PREREQUISITES: None. Auditors will be expected to participate fully in the online discussions, but will not be required to complete the written assignments (i.e., the research papers).

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.