Content

This unit explores the nature of Christian spirituality from a Lutheran perspective. Attention is given to how spirituality is affected by personal experience and context and how this in turn is expressed in both beliefs and practices. The unit examines the key elements and emphases of Lutheran spirituality and explores a number of personal and corporate spiritual disciplines as well as various traditions in Christian spirituality. The unit concludes with an analysis of secular spirituality today.

Unit code: CT8021L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Distinguish between different aspects of Christian spirituality

2.

Evaluate at least one discipline and one tradition of Christian spirituality and measure the potential benefits of this discipline and tradition for the student’s own spirituality

3.

Compare the key elements and emphases of Lutheran spirituality with other forms of Christian spirituality

4.

Analyse common elements of secular spirituality today and differentiate these from Christian spirituality

5.

Critically reflect on their own personal spirituality in light of learnings from the unit

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 8 unit in postgraduate theology, ministry and education courses

Pedagogy

Online learning: Engagement with online learning materials, which may include audio/video, self-reflection tasks, forums, and asynchronous discussion with lecturer.

Face to Face learning: Learner-centred approach, incorporating strategies such as lectures, group discussion and debate, reporting on weekly set readings, visual representation of ideas by students, personal reflection and brainstorming.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bouma, Gary. Australian soul: religion and spirituality in the twenty-first century. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
  • Collins, Kenneth, ed. Exploring Christian spirituality: an ecumenical reader. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000.
  • Foster, Richard. Streams of living water: celebrating the great traditions of the Christian faith. London: Harper Collins, 2018.
  • Hanson, Bradley. A graceful life: Lutheran spirituality for today. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2000.
  • Howard, Evan B. The Brazos introduction to Christian spirituality. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2008.
  • Kleinig, John. Grace upon grace: spirituality for today. St Louis, MO: Concordia, 2007.
  • Mackay, Hugh. Beyond belief: how we find meaning, with or without religion. Sydney, NSW: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2016.
  • Sheldrake, Phillip. A brief history of spirituality. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
  • Slee, Nicola. Faith and feminism: an introduction to Christian feminist theology. London, UK: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2003.
  • Stjerna, Kirsi, and Brooks Schramm, eds. Spirituality: towards a 21st century Lutheran understanding. Rev. ed. Minneapolis, MN: Lutheran University Press, 2004.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Report on spiritual disciplines and traditions

2500 30.0
Essay

Essay on Lutheran spirituality

3500 50.0
Reflection

Students reflect on their own spirituality

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 5 Oct, 2020

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