Content

This subject explores the nature and processes of discernment in the Christian tradition, and the relationship of discernment to authority in the Christian community. Taking examples of Christian leadership from within and beyond the church, students will develop definitions of authentic leadership and identify strategies for building the capacity of groups and individuals to make good choices (discernment) and the foundations required for their implementation (authority).

Unit code: DS3010P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Identify and evaluate the principles and processes of discernment described in six key texts of the Christian tradition

2.

Identify and evaluate the understanding of authority and the style of leadership advocated by six key authors in the Christian tradition

3.

Analyse a contemporary example of decision making in the public realm in light of these traditions of authority and processes of discernment

Unit sequence

15 points in CH, 15 points in CT

Pedagogy

Seminar, lecture, tutorial

Indicative Bibliography

  • Dorr, Donal. Spirituality of Leadership: Inspiration, Empowerment, Intuition and Discernment. Blackrock, Co, Dublin: Columba Press, 2006. (recommended for purchase)
  • Democopoulos, George E. Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church. Notre Dame, Ind: University of Notre Dame Press, 2007. (recommended for purchase)
  • Benedict, and Timothy Fry. RB 1980: the Rule of St Benedict in Latin and English with notes. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1981.
  • Brackley, Dean. The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola. New York: Crossroad, 2004.
  • Burdon, Adrian. Authority and Order: John Wesley and His Preachers. Aldershot-Burlington, Vt: Ashgate, 2005.
  • Cassian, John, and Boniface Ramsey. John Cassian, the Conferences. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.
  • Coakley, J. Women, Men and Spiritual Power: Female Saints and their Male Collaborators. New York: Columbia University Press, 2012.
  • Gregory, and John Leinenweber. Pastoral Practice: Books 3 and 4 of the Regula Pastoralis. Harrisburg, Pa: Trinity Press International, 1998.
  • Hildegard of Bingen, and Joseph L. Baird. The Personal Correspondence of Hildegard of Bingen. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
  • McIntosh, Mark Allen. Discernment and Truth: The Spirituality and Theology of Knowledge. New York: Crossroad, 2004.
  • Teresa of Avila, and Kieran Kavanaugh. The Collected Letters of St Teresa of Avila. Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 2001.
  • Ignatius of Loyola, and Michael Ivens. The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Leominster: Gracewing, 2004.
  • Calvin, Jean and Elsie Anne McKee. John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety. New York: Paulist Press, 2001.
  • Wesley, John and Kenneth C. Kinghorn. The Standard Sermons in Modern English. Vol 3. Nashville, Tenn: Abingdon, 2003.
  • Wright, T. Scripture and the Authority of God. London: SPCK, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

1 essay (2000 words)

2000 50.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (1000 words)

1000 16.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (1000 words)

1000 17.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (1000 words)

1000 17.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2015

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 14:52:03 +1100