SP530
Metteer

SP530: DESERT SPIRITUALITY FOR CITY DWELLERS. Charles Metteer.


DESCRIPTION:

The aim of this course is to provide a deeper understanding of the faith and practices of the late third- to mid-fifth-century monastics (the Desert Fathers/Mothers) who flocked to the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. Consideration will be given to historical, biblical, theological, and spiritual factors that shaped their quests for undistracted devotion to God. This course will also explore how their sayings, ascetic disciplines, and rigorous spirituality can help us appreciate the diverse forms of Christian spirituality, as well as evaluate and inform our own spirituality.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
This course should provide students with
  1. an understanding of how the Desert Fathers lived and grew as the first Christian monastics;

  2. an ascetic model of spirituality that takes into consideration both classic spiritual disciplines and the spiritual significance of everyday life;

  3. tools for a deeper appreciation for and new orientation to prayer, Scripture, obedience, spiritual gifts, character formation, solitude, silence, daily routines, etc.

COURSE FORMAT:
Classes will include lectures, class discussions and small groups. The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks (June 19-30).

REQUIRED READING:
Athanasius. The Life of Antony and the Letter to Marcellinus. Paulist Press, 1980.

Bondi, R. To Love as God Loves, and To Pray and Love. Fortress, 1987, 1991.

Evagrius Ponticus. The Praktikos and Chapters on Prayer. Cistercian, 1981.

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection. Rev. ed. Cistercian, 1984.

The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers. Translated by Benedicta Ward. Sisters of the Love of

God (SLG) Press, 1986.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Burton-Christie, D. The Word in the Desert. Oxford, 1993.

Gould, Graham. The Desert Fathers on Monastic Community. Clarendon Press, 1993.

Mayers, G. Listen to the Desert. Triumph, 1996.

Nouwen, H. The Way of the Heart. HarperCollinss, 1981.

Pachomian Koinonia. Vols. I-III. Cistercian, 1980-82.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. A 10-15 page research paper on some aspect(s) of desert spirituality.

  2. A 10-12 page reflection paper that discusses the relevance of an area of desert monasticism to your own Christian orientation (e.g., charismatic, evangelical, etc.) and/or spiritual practices.
Both papers will be due on August 1.

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
M.Div. Elective; Meets the M.A.T. requirement in spirituality (SPIR).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
None.