Content

This unit explores the Lutheran pattern of spirituality within its historical, cultural and ecclesial context. Attention is given to how Christian spirituality is affected by understandings of personal experience, as well as to the contextual role played by contemporary Australian society. A biblical theology of spirituality will be developed that focuses on a number of factors: its Trinitarian basis, its personal yet corporate nature, and its close connection with the life of sanctification as outlined in the New Testament. There is a strong focus on understanding and more deeply appropriating a number of personal and corporate spiritual disciplines. Opportunity is also made to explore selected spiritual practices of other Christian traditions.

Unit code: DS3220L

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Identify and analyse the influence of contemporary Australian culture on our experience, understanding and practice of Christian spirituality

2.

Express Christian spirituality in terms of biblical and Trinitarian theology

3.

Explain how the personal and corporate nature of Christian spirituality are connected

4.

Explore and describe some of the key Christian spiritual disciplines

5.

Describe at least one other significant tradition of Christian spirituality and evaluate its potential in today’s culture

6.

Critically analyse personal spiritual journey in light of learnings

Unit sequence

At least 30 credit points in Field D is desirable

Pedagogy

Lecture, discussion, tutorial, fieldwork

Indicative Bibliography

  • Giertz, Bo. 2005. The hammer of God: a novel about the cure of souls. Rev. ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg. (recommended for purchase)
  • Kleinig, John. 2007. Grace upon grace: spirituality for today. St Louis, MO: Concordia. (recommended for purchase)
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1954. Life together. Translated from 5th ed. (1949) by John W. Doberstein. London: SCM.
  • Bouma, Gary. 2006. Australian soul: religion and spirituality in the twenty-first century. Cambridge University Press.
  • Foster, Richard, and Gayle Beebe. 2009. Longing for God: seven paths of Christian devotion. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Press.
  • Foster, Richard. 2005. The celebration of discipline: the path to spiritual growth. Rev. ed. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
  • Gruen, Anselm. 1999. Heaven begins within you: wisdom from the desert fathers. New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company.
  • Howard, Evan. 2008. The Brazos introduction to Christian spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press.
  • Hallesby, Ole. 1994. Prayer. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
  • Mackay, Hugh. 2013. What makes us tick? The ten desires that drive us. New ed. Sydney, NSW: Hachette Australia.
  • Peterson, Eugene H. 1993. The contemplative pastor: returning to the art of spiritual direction. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  • Pfatteicher, Philip. 1997. Liturgical spirituality. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press.
  • Richards, Lawrence. 1987. A practical theology of spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: Academie.
  • Sheldrake, Phillip. 2013. A brief history of spirituality. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Reflection 750 words

750 15.0
Book Review

Reading and response 750 words

750 35.0
Essay

Final paper 2500 words

2500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000