Fall 2011/Pasadena
SP511
Hernandez
SP511: HENRI NOUWEN: A SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION. Wil Hernandez.
DESCRIPTION: This is a course in practical theology that focuses on 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.
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 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 on Friday mornings
(8:30-11:50): Sept. 30, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, and Dec. 2, and
participate in an opening class retreat at Saint Andrew's Benedictine Abbey in
Valyermo on Friday, October 7 (8:00 am to 8:30 pm), which is required. You will
be charged an additional $50 from your account at the time you register to
cover retreat center costs (including conference facilities, three meals, and
materials).
REQUIRED READING:
- Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of
Imperfection. Paulist Press, 2006. 155 pp. ISBN: 9780809144341. Pub.Price:
$16.95.
- ________. Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration.
Paulist Press, 2008. 104 pp. ISBN: 9780809145461. Pub.Price: $14.95.
- Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual
Life. Image Books, 1975. 166 pp. ISBN: 038523682. Pub.Price: $10.95.
- ________. Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the
Spirit. Edited by Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird. HarperOne, 2010.
192 pp. ISBN: 9780061686122. Pub.Price: $25.99.
- ________. The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus
Christ. HarperSanFrancisco, 1977. 80 pp. ISBN: 0866839151. Pub.Price:
$10.00.
- ________. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership.
Crossroad, 1989. 107 pp. ISBN: 9780824512590. Pub.Price: $ 14.95.
- Choose one biography:
- Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri
J. M. Nouwen. Doubleday, 1999. 234 pp. ISBN: 038549372X. Pub. Price:
$23.95.
- O'Laughlin, Michael. God's Beloved: A Spiritual Biography of Henri
Nouwen. Orbis, 2004. 198 pp. ISBN: 1570755612. Pub.Price:
$16.00.
- Choose one journal:
- Nouwen, Henri J. M. The Genessee Diary: Report from
a Trappist Monastery. Image Books, 1989. 223 pp. ISBN: 038174462.
Pub.Price: $10.95.
- ________. ¡Gracias!: A Latin American Journal. Orbis,
1983. 188 pp. ISBN: 0883448513. Pub.Price: $12.00.
- ________. The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey. Image Books,
1988. 228 pp. ISBN: 9780385245531. Pub.Price: $ 12.95.
- ________. Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year.
Crossroad, 1998. 226 pp. ISBN: 0824518780. Pub.Price: $ 15.95.
- 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).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2011)