I need your help to design a Masters course in Spirituality

We are planning to launch a new Master of Theology course in Spirituality and Spiritual formation at Ekklesia in the Faculty of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch

I would love to make this an 'open source' project! Our aim is to serve the Church and society. Ekklesia has a particular focus on shaping Churches, their clergy and members, for effective mission and transformation in the world.

As a result we would like our program to cover both spirituality and mission in what it presents for the participants. The Master of Theology program consists of 6 modules. 3 of the modules are shared with the Master of Theology in Congregational Leadership course. These 3 modules are: Congregations, a Theological module (this year we focussed on the Trinity and 'Missio Dei', and a module that introduces Christian Spirituality.

How can you help?

Please suggest themes or topics that you think we should cover in the three remaining modules.

Please suggest any books, authors, or scholars that we should consider including (with a brief one line motivation)

If you're interested in being updated on how this course develops, or if you may be interested in applying to do the Master of Theology in Spirituality and Spiritual direction at Stellenbosch University, then please leave your details.

Please feel free to leave your feedback, comments and ideas in the comments section below (see the link below this post), or send me an email via the contact section of my website.

Thank you!

Comments

[Macrina Walker]

Hi Dion,

I posted this earlier but fear that it didn't go through as my computer seized while posting...

For what it's worth and for starters, and although I have serious reservations about much of the contemporary "spirituality" discourse (although it's a term that is difficult to avoid), I would hope that those studying in this area would seriously engage with the issues raised in Fr Andrew Louth's important essay that forms the "Afterword" to the new edition of his The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition. Maybe I've missed it, but I haven't seen anyone who is involved in the western academic discourse on spirituality taking it seriously...

And, raising similar concerns but with a more specific and in-depth focus, Denys Turner's The Darkness of God also raises important issues regarding current uses of the so-called "mystical tradition" particularly in relation to "apophatism".

[Peter Houston]

I think Alister E. McGrath's "Christian Spirituality: An Introduction" provides a good overview of all the issues and what the study of spirituality is about. It deals with concerns about the spirituality discourse and use of the word "spirituality"! Good foundational reading.

I've also found it insightful to explore the link between how God has created each of us with different personalities and the type of spirituality that then appeals to that personality type. There are several books, depending on how you approach the concept of personality type.

Another link would be to explore the link between spirituality and leadership types. Same rationale as with personality...

[Simon Thomas]

You must include a topic on Prayer, Isaac Watts wrote a brillaint dissertation on the theology of prayer and it is my view also that a course in spiritituality must inclueds a portion on the nature of true prayer.
The mystics lose it when it comes to this. Try the Puritans. Old but good

[Thomas Scarborough]

I'm writing again, Dion, on ... call it a meta-issue on this blog. I raised it before. That is censorship.

I recently left a comment on another of your posts which I felt was well informed and balanced, yet it was removed. Among other things, it expressed concern about monocultural Church. There is a fine line, I think, between censorship and hosting a promotional or propagandist blog. I would think that, even if a censorship decision stands, there could be a private acknowledgement to the commentator.

While I am here, there was another post, a lot further back, which associated me with persons with whom I had no meaningful connection. The post was amended before I remarked on this. It's impossible to be aware of course of the theological and ecclesiastic context of everyone. However, I think in this case this deserves to be raised.

Kind regards.

[Dr Dion Forster]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for your comment. First, I do not sensor my blog along any theological lines. I have a 'bot' that removes spam posts and posts that are deemed offensive (language of a sexual, derogatory nature etc.,)

I have never deleted a post with which I disagree theologically.

So please repost the comment you feel was deleted in error and alert me to it so that I can make sure it doesn't get removed.

Second, that being said, my website is mine to work with as I choose. I don't pretend not to hold strong theological and religious convictions. If I should ever choose to delete a post that I don't want on my site (which I have not done so far) that remains my prerogative. It would be entirely irresponsible to pretend that I, and this site, are something we are not. That is my transparent position.

There are numerous websites on which you can post whatever you wish. Their intention is different from mine. I genuinely care about what you think. I'm always pleased when someone posts here. But, this does remain my website.

I invite you to post (and repost) on the site. If you feel a comment was deleted in error please let me know and I'll check my spam filter.

Grace and peace,

Dion

[Dianne]

I may be 'carrying coals to Newcastle' but if I don't speak I may regret it. A healthy dose of feminist spirituality would be part of my recommendation ...
Blessings
Dianne

[Dr Dion Forster]

Hi Di,

Thanks for your comment! A worthwhile point indeed! I shall certainly make it a priority. Can you suggest any standard texts we should read?

Grace and peace,

D

[Dianne]

Hi
I have never done a course in feminism in any shape or form so I am sure about standard texts. Neither am I that up-to-date with reading. However: Faith and Feminism: An Introduction to Christian Feminist Theology has a good introductory chapter on Spirituality from a Feminist Perspective [which may even be old news to you], I could fax/scan/whatever it to you and you can see if it is something you want to follow up; in which case I will do more homework
Blessings
Dianne

[Charmaine]

I assume that the course would cover the different spiritualities of the church fathers over the ages. Do you also include the traditional approach and more charismatic approach? This is quite a dilemma for the church today. Our young wants the worship and the old wants the quietness and solemn music! What I also find interesting is that our personalities influence our method of practicing our spirituality. Is this a real phenomenon? Is this covered in the course?
What is the prerequisite for doing the course?

[Dianne]

Just a thought: Do you think Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Acr and Hadewijch of Brabant (and others? Mary? Mother Theresa?) could contribute anything to your course?
Blessings
Dianne

[Trudé Nell]

Dr Dion

I wonder if an in depth study in Cross-Cultural Sensitivity should not be incorporated into your proposed Master of Theology Course in Spirituality and Spiritual Formation?

I read "When Charity destroys Dignity" by Glenn J. Schwartz (available in the US Theology Library) recently and have come deeply under the impression of our incompetence with regard to Giving while preserving the Dignity of those who are in Need.