Lives of Faith: Biography as Theology (CT9033W)

Content

This unit will examine the character of Christian faith as evident in the life stories of a number of theologians and other significant persons. It will draw specifically upon the methodology of James McClendon to identify how the life-experience of these theologians has influenced their distinctive approach to theology and Christian faith. It will also provide opportunity for each student to explore the theological significance of their own life story.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Pre-requisite required - 72 points in Foundational Studies

Pedagogy

Lectures and seminars together with follow-up online discussions.

Indicative Bibliography

• = set texts recommended for purchase *
• McClendon, J Biography as theology , 2nd Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Trinity Press International, 2002. *
• Balmer, Randall, Redeemer: the life of Jimmy Carter. New York: Basic Books, 2014.
• Bethge, E Dietrich Bonhoeffer London: Collins, 1970.
• Busch, E Karl Barth. His life from letters and autobiographical texts. London: SCM, 1976.
• Carson, Clayborne (ed.), The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. London: Little, Brown & Co., 1999.
• Confoy, Maryanne Morris West: Literary Maverick. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
• Fowler, J, Lovin, R et. al, Trajectories in faith. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1980.
• Hamlin, Catherine & Little, John The Hospital by the River: a story of hope. Sydeney: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2001.
• Higgins, Michael & Burns, Kevin Genius Born of Anguish: the life and legacy of Henri Nouwen, New York: Paulist Press, 2012.
• Lipsey, Roger, Hammarskjöld: A Life. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2013.
  
• Moltmann, J A Broad Place: An Autobiography, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2007.
• Pauck, W & Pauck, M Paul Tillich: His life and Thought, Vol. 1, London: Collins, 1977.
• Pidwell, Harold, A Gentle Bunyip: the Athol Gill story, West Lakes, South Australia: Seaview Press, 2007.
• Rudolph, Ivan John Flynn: Of flying doctors and frontier faith. North Blackburn, Victoria: Dove Publications, 1996.
• Sobrino, Jon and Martin-Baro, Ignacio (eds.), Voice of the Voiceless: Archbishop Oscar Romero. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, 1985.
• Spink, Kathryn, Mother Teresa (Revised Edition), New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2011.
• Stone, Elaine Murray, Dorothy Day: Champion of the poor. New York: Paulist Press, 2004.
• Webb, V Florence Nightingale: the making of a radical theologian, St Louis: Chalice Press, 2002

Assessment