Content

This unit looks at a variety of significant figures in the history of Christian spirituality, spanning several centuries. The focus is on their personal and spiritual formation and how their spirituality, as a whole, was expressed and developed through leadership and mission. The impact of these figures in transforming their traditions and their world will be explored. A dialogical approach will be used to engage the original contexts, concepts of mission and leadership, and their application in the contemporary church.

Unit code: DS9727B

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Catherine Booth College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically analyse the historical and social context of selected spiritual leaders

2.

Assess how the spirituality, leadership and mission of selected leaders transformed their existing tradition

3.

Discuss specific connections between an individual’s spirituality, leadership and mission

4.

Critically analyse the interplay of these elements in the student’s own spirituality, leadership and ministry

5.

Analyse the impact of historical and social forces and examine any prophetic and/or dangerous consequences for spiritual leaders

Unit sequence

15 points in DS Spirituality or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, group discussions, seminars, guided reading and online forums

Indicative Bibliography

  • Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History and Issues. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014.
  • Holder, Arthur, ed. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2011.
  • Holder, Arthur, ed. * Christian Spirituality: The Classics*. New York: Routledge, 2010
  • Holt, Bradley P. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.
  • Mass, Robin, and Garbiel O’Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.
  • McGrath, Alistair E. Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell Publishes, 1999.
  • Perrin, David B. Studying Christian Spirituality. New York: Routledge, 2007.
  • Perry, Aaron, and Bryan Eastley, eds. Leadership the Wesleyan Way. Lexington: Emeth Press, 2016.
  • Schmidt, Richard H. God Seekers: Twenty Centuries of Christian Spiritualities. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008.
  • Sheldrake, Philip F. Explorations in Spirituality: History, Theology and Social Practice. New York: Paulist Press, 2010.
  • Woods, Richard J. Christian Spirituality: God’s presence through the ages. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

4000 word essay

4000 60.0
Seminar or Tutorial

3000 word seminar paper

3000 40.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2019-09-02 16:27:44 +1000