Fall 2012/Pasadena
SP500
Jensen

SP500: SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES. L. Paul Jensen.


DESCRIPTION: Spiritual practices emerge out of spiritual traditions which, in turn, often emerge from the life and experience of spiritual pioneers. In this course we will explore the lives of seven spiritual pioneers (Jesus, Patrick of Ireland, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Gerard Grote, Ignatius of Loyola, David Brainerd) and the spiritual traditions they founded or influenced. Within each tradition a spiritual practice will be examined and often experienced with an eye to its use in the postmodern church. In addition, these traditions will be set in conversation with contemporary spiritual traditions from the worldwide church (e.g., Desmond Tutu's use of Julian in the South African struggle; the revival of fixed-hour prayer; the influence of David Brainerd's spirituality on women leaders in the 19th-century Protestant mission). All this will be set in the context of the broad sweep of the history and theology of Christian spirituality.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Interest in spirituality is growing both in the church and outside the church. This course will not only explore the nature of spirituality, but will also seek to assist students to engage in various spiritual practices and disciplines designed to foster the way of love.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will

  1. understand the life, ministry, and spiritual practices of seven spiritual pioneers in the context of a broad understanding of the history and theology of Christian spirituality;

  2. explore and experience various spiritual disciplines and practices from these traditions;

  3. develop a deeper understanding of one particular school of spirituality;

  4. develop skills that enable the student to lead others in the practices of Christian spirituality.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, media, case studies, and interactive dialogue. The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session for ten weeks. In addition, each student will participate in two one-day spiritual retreats with the class: Friday, Oct. 5, 9:00-4:00 pm, at Mater Dolorosa retreat center in Sierra Madre; and Friday, Nov. 2 at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada-Flintridge. On Nov. 2 class will start at Fuller at 8:30 and then go to Descanso from 10:00-4:00 pm. The $25 cost for the first retreat will be charged to the student's account at the time of registration. For the second, the student will pay an $8 entrance fee directly to Descanso Gardens.

REQUIRED READING: Students are required to read 1000 pages from the following books as well as from materials drawn from a particular spiritual tradition (reading lists included in the syllabus).
Jensen, L. Paul. Subversive Spirituality: Transforming Mission through the Collapse of Space and Time. Pickwick, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-60608-154-9. $35.07 (paper back).

Maas, Robin, and Gabriel O'Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0-68739-233-9. $33.00.

CHOOSE ONE:
Scorgie, Glen G., Simon Chan, Gordon T. Smith, and James D. Smith III, eds. Dictionary of Christian Spirituality. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-310-29066-7. $25.33.

OR Sheldrake, Phillip. A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Blackwell, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-4051-1771-5. $27.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Regular attendance and participation in all aspects of the course including active involvement in a small group (10%).

  2. Attendance at two one-day retreats plus reflection papers on each (20%).

  3. Research paper on a particular spiritual tradition and its implications for the postmodern church (3000 words - approx. 12 pages) (30%).

  4. Personal engagement in weekly spiritual exercises with journal reflections (20%).

  5. Reading (20%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets program requirement for MAT, MATM, MAICS (2010), MACL (2010), or MA requirement in Foundational Spirituality (FSP, SP2, or SPIR).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2012)