Patristic Spirituality

Catalog description

Taught by JST. The primary focus of this lecture/seminar course is the development of Christian Patristic spirituality, tracing the gradual development of the notion of theosis (deification) in the writings of the Eastern Fathers. We will begin with Origen's spiritual theology and the Origenist school of spirituality, giving particular attention to the teaching of Evagrios Pontikos. We will then study the role of the spiritual senses and the question of mystical knowledge in the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and the Pseudo-Denys. Finally, after a look at the issue of anhypostasis, we will discuss Maximos the Confessor's theology of deification and the role of images in the writings of John Damascene and Theodore the Studite. The course will conclude with a foray into the later Byzantine theology of Gregory Palamas. This class is primarily for STL or doctoral students, though advanced MA or MDiv students may also attend. Students are expected to give class presentations on the assigned material, submit a weekly reflection (1-2 pages), and write two papers (10-12 pages each) or a longer research paper (20-25 pages). [Faculty Consent required]