“Make your chosen people joyful” prays the church gathered. What expectations should Christians have of joy? Is it a present or future promise? What does the incarnation say to our experience? How does joy endure the cross, shame, pain and despair? Drawing from Scripture, tradition, psychology and philosophy, the nature of joy: its relation to the Spirit, place in life and connection to eternity, are explored.
Unit code: CT3569S
Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3
Unit discipline: Systematic Theology
Delivery Mode: Online
Proposing College: Stirling College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Locate significant terms relating to joy in scripture and tradition |
| 2. | Evaluate the place of joy in liturgy and the theology of the Spirit |
| 3. | Articulate the nature of joy in the life of Jesus and contemporary Christian life |
| 4. | Explore the relationship of joy with other concepts or disciplines |
Requires either a prior CT unit or a unit in Biblical Studies
Assuming some basic knowledge (including, where appropriate, experience) of Christian texts and faith, the unit requires students to explore texts and interrogate traditions through their own exploration, group discovery, attentive observation and presentation of creative artefacts for further reflection. Students engage in reading, group exploration, discussion, presentations, media engagement.
Alstyne, Frances Jane Van (Fanny Crosby). Selected Hymns. {online}
Augustine of Hippo. De Beata Vita (On the Blessed Life). 386. Various editions {e}
Herbert, George. Selected Poems. {online}
Jennings, Mark A. The Price of Partnership in the Letter of Paul to the Philippians: "Make My Joy Complete". Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019. {e}
Lobel, Diana. Philosophies of Happiness: A Comparative Introduction to the Flourishing Life. Columbia University Press, 2018. {e}
Ortlund, Gavin. Anselm’s Pursuit of Joy: A commentary on the Proslogion. Catholic University of America Press, 2020. {e}
Piper, John. The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God. Multnomah, 1991.
Seligman, Martin E. P. Flourish: a new understanding of happiness and well-being--and how to achieve them. N. Brealey, 2011. {e}
Volf, Miroslav. Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World. Yale UP, 2016. {e}
Wesley, Charles. Selected Hymns. {online}
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation - Video Presentation | Short video, may be shown in class. |
750 | 15.0 |
| Book Review - Book Review | 1000 | 20.0 | |
| Oral Presentation - Video Presentation | Short video, may be shown in class. |
750 | 15.0 |
| Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper - Written Task | 2000 | 45.0 | |
| Essay - Reflection | Must pass. |
500 | 5.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 22 Aug, 2022
Unit record last updated: 2022-08-22 13:56:42 +1000