Christian Spirituality: A Lutheran Perspective (CT8021L)

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.

Learning outcomes

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