Content

This subject explores the nature and processes of discernment in the Christian tradition, and the relationship of discernment to authority in the Christian community. Taking examples of Christian leadership from within and beyond the church, students will develop definitions of authentic leadership and identify strategies for building the capacity of groups and individuals to make good choices (discernment) and the foundations required for their implementation (authority).

Unit code: CH9019P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe and evaluate the principles and processes of discernment described in six key texts of the Christian tradition

2.

Describe and evaluate the understanding of authority and the style of leadership advocated by six key authors in the Christian tradition

3.

Analyse a contemporary example of decision making in the public realm in light of these traditions of authority and processes of discernment

4.

Articulate strategies for building capacity for leadership in Christian communities, in light of these traditions of authority and processes of discernment.

Pedagogy

Seminar, lecture, tutorial

Indicative Bibliography

  • Dorr, Donal. Spirituality of Leadership: Inspiration, Empowerment, Intuition and Discernment. Blackrock, Co, Dublin: Columba Press, 2006. (recommended for purchase)
  • Democopoulos, George E. Five Models of Spiritual Direction in the Early Church. Notre Dame, Ind: University of Notre Dame Press, 2007. (recommended for purchase)

  • Benedict, and Timothy Fry. RB 1980: The Rule of St Benedict in Latin and English with notes. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1981.

  • Brackley, Dean. The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola. New York: Crossroad, 2004.

  • Burdon, Adrian. Authority and Order: John Wesley and His Preachers. Aldershot-Burlington, Vt: Ashgate, 2005.

  • Calvin, Jean and Elsie Anne McKee. John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety. New York: Paulist Press, 2001.

  • Cassian, John, and Boniface Ramsey. John Cassian, the Conferences. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.

  • Coakley, J. Women, Men, and Spiritual Power: Female Saints and their Male Collaborators. New York: Columbia University Press, 2012.

  • Gregory, and John Leinenweber. Pastoral Practice: Books 3 and 4 of the Regula Pastoralis. Harrisburg, Pa: Trinity Press International, 1998.

  • Hildegard of Bingen, and Joseph L. Baird. The Personal Correspondence of Hildegard of Bingen. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

  • Ignatius of Loyola, and Michael Ivens. The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Leominster: Gracewing, 2004.

  • McIntosh, Mark Allen. Discernment and Truth: The Spirituality and Theology of Knowledge. New York: Crossroad, 2004.

  • Teresa of Avila, and Kieran Kavanaugh. The Collected Letters of St Teresa of Avila. Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 2001.

  • Wesley, John and Kenneth C. Kinghorn. T*he Standard Sermons in Modern English*. Vol 3. Nashville, Tenn: Abingdon, 2003.

  • Wright, T. Scripture and the Authority of God London: SPCK, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay (3000 words)

0 50.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (750 words)

0 12.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (750 words)

0 12.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (750 words)

0 13.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (750 words)

0 13.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2015

Unit record last updated: 2021-10-14 11:04:34 +1100