Winter 2009

FTX-Houston

SP511

Hernandez

SP511:  HENRI NOUWEN: A SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION.   Willy Hernandez.                                         

DESCRIPTION: 

This course is about the spiritual journey of Henri Nouwen, with particular focus 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.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/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 apply the art and discipline of theological reflection in whatever context one finds him/herself in.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:  The 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.

COURSE FORMAT: 

A mixture of devotional times, class lectures, and small group report/discussion/interaction. The class will meet for three weekend sessions (Friday evenings from 6:00-9:30 pm and whole days of Saturday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm) beginning in January to March. A personal silent retreat (individually scheduled by the student) is a required part of the course.

REQUIRED READING:

*Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection. Paulist Press, 2006. [pp. 9-71]

Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration. Paulist Press, 2008.

*Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Any edition. [pp. -All]

________. The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ. Any edition.

________. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1989.

Note: The two books marked with an asterisk (*) should be read in advance, prior to the weekend class retreat (note the specific pages required).

Choose one journal: Genesee Diary, ¡Gracias!, The Road to Daybreak, or Sabbatical Journey. Any edition.

Choose one biography:

Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Doubleday, 1999.

O’Laughlin, Michael. God’s Beloved: A Spiritual Biography of Henri Nouwen. Orbis, 2004.

LaNoue, Deirdre. The Spiritual Legacy of Henri Nouwen. Continuum, 2000.

Beumer, Jurgen. Henri Nouwen: A Restless Seeking for God. Crossroad, 1997.

Four selected articles by Nouwen.

ASSIGNMENTS

1.  Full attendance and participation in all sessions (15%)  2.  Thoughtful reading of the assigned textbooks and course materials (15%).  3.  Eight-page Integration Paper focusing on spirituality’s coinherence with either psychology, ministry, or theology (20%). 4.   Two-page Personal Essay addressing one’s own spirituality of imperfection (10%)  5.  Three-page Interactive Journal Analysis (choose one from Nouwen’s four journals - 10%).  6. One-page Retreat Reflection Paper (5%)  7.  Three-page Book Report: A Portrait of Nouwen (based on one’s chosen biography – 10%).  8.  Three to four pages Theological Reflection Worksheet (15%)

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Meets Spirituality requirement (SP2 and SPIR) in MA programs and MIN1 requirements in MDiv programs.

FINAL EXAMINATION:  None.