Summer 2014/Pasadena
SP500
Jensen & Gosselin
SP500: SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES (4 Units: 120 hours). L. Paul Jensen & Janna S. Gosselin.
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.
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; and (4) develop skills that enable the student to lead others in the practices of Christian spirituality.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for three-hour sessions for five weeks as a mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, media, case studies, and interactive dialogue. In addition, each student will participate in two one-day spiritual retreats with the class: at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada-Flintridge; and at Mater Dolorosa retreat center in Sierra Madre. For the first, the student will pay an $8 entrance fee directly to Descanso Gardens; the $25 cost for the second retreat will be charged to the student's account at the time of registration.
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 on Moodle).
Jensen, L. Paul. Subversive Spirituality: Transforming Mission through the Collapse of Space and Time. Pickwick, 2009. ISBN: 978-1606081549, Pub. Price $43.00 [392 pp.].
Maas, Robin, and Gabriel O'Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687392339, Pub. Price $33.00 [464 pp.].
CHOOSE ONE:
Scorgie, Glen G., Simon Chan, Gordon T. Smith, and James D. Smith III, eds. Dictionary of Christian Spirituality. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310290667, Pub. Price $39.99.
OR Sheldrake, Phillip. A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Blackwell, 2008. ISBN: 978-1405117715, Pub. Price $27.95 [262 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Regular attendance and participation in all aspects of the course including active involvement in a small group (10%).
Attendance at two one-day retreats plus reflection papers on each (20%).
Research paper on a particular spiritual tradition and its implications for the postmodern church (3000 words – approx. 12 pages) (30%).
Personal engagement in weekly spiritual exercises with journal reflections (20%).
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).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.