Content

This unit looks at a variety of significant figures in the history of Christian spirituality, spanning several centuries. The focus is on their personal and spiritual formation and how their spirituality as a whole, was expressed and developed through leadership and mission. The impact of these figures in transforming their traditions and their world will be explored. A dialogical approach will be used to engage the original contexts, concepts of mission and leadership, and their application in the contemporary church.

Unit code: DS2127B

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the historical and social context of selected spiritual leaders

2.

Discuss how the spirituality, leadership and mission of selected leaders transformed their existing tradition

3.

Assess specific connections between an individual’s spirituality, leadership and mission

4.

Analyse the interplay of these elements in the student’s own spirituality, leadership and ministry

Unit sequence

18 points in DS Spirituality

Pedagogy

Lectures, group discussions, seminars, guided reading and online forums

Indicative Bibliography

  • Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History and Issues. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014.
  • Holder, Arthur, ed. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2011.
  • Holt, Bradley P. Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.
  • Mass, Robin, and Garbiel O’Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.
  • McGrath, Alistair E. Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell Publishes, 1999.
  • Perry, Aaron, and Bryan Eastley, eds. Leadership the Wesleyan Way. Lexington: Emeth Press, 2016.
  • Schmidt, Richard H. God Seekers: Twenty Centuries of Christian Spiritualities. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008.
  • Sheldrake, Philip F. Explorations in Spirituality: History, Theology and Social Practice. New York: Paulist Press, 2010.
  • Woods, Richard J. Christian Spirituality: God’s presence through the ages. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

2,500 word essay

2500 60.0
Seminar or Tutorial

1,500 word seminar paper

1500 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-05 16:02:14 +1100