Course Description

This course introduces important theological themes and provides a historical overview of the Christian spiritual tradition. As the title suggests, it is the Trinitarian and incarnational touchstones that give Christian spirituality its authentically Christian character.

From this biblical and creedal basis, we will read, understand, and engage with the spiritual practices found in the various Christian traditions. Emphasis is given to Ignatian spirituality, as this serves as a preparatory framework to the spiritual practicum component in CS102.

The trajectory of the course is for participants to draw appropriate spiritual disciples from the deep well of the Christian history that resonate with their own temperament, vocation, and season in life. It is hoped that this course will provide the resources for a deepening of self-knowledge and spirituality for everyday life.

The course aims to be both academic and practical. Besides live and recorded lectures, students engage with readings, group discussion, as well as individual reflections throughout the course. There will be in-depth discussions dealing with how we can grow deeper in our spiritual life in a busy world, e.g., finding the rhythm between work and rest, cultivating the spiritual disciplines to keep one's spiritual life vibrant.

Register

  • Location

    Online via Zoom (Live)
    with Blended Learning

  • Dates

    (Saturdays)
    Jul: 8, 22
    Aug: 26
    Sep: 30
    Oct: 14

    Registration Close Date
    Jul 5, 2023

  • Time

    9:30am–11:45am

Lecturer

Dr Tan Seng Kong

Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology

Dr Tan Seng Kong is BGST's Head for Technology and Resources, and a Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology. A graduate from Regent College, Vancouver (MA, Spiritual Theology). Seng Kong completed his PhD in Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he focused his research on Jonathan Edwards' Doctrine of Salvation. Seng Kong was formerly an architect. He currently serves at Bethel Assembly of God. When he isn’t preoccupied with theological materials, he dabbles with indoor gardening, watches Korean media with his wife and eats Indian food with his son.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    Theological Foundations for Christian Spirituality

    • Christian Spirituality: A Theological Survey

    • Lecture 1 CS101 Introduction Slides

    • Zoom Recording (2022) - Lecture 1 Introduction

    • Lecture 1A: A Threefold Creedal Spirituality (Optional)

    • Lecture 1 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 1 Pt II

    • Lecture 1 Pt III

    • Solomon Growing the Soul in Postmodern Soil

    • LaCugna The Practical Trinity
  • 3

    A Historical Overview of Christian Spirituality

    • History of Spirituality

    • Lecture 2 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 2 Pt II

    • Lecture 2 Pt III

    • Lecture 2 Pt IV

    • Lecture 2 Slides A HIstory of Christian Spirituality

    • Kavanaugh & Pennington History of Christian Spirituality

    • Raitt European Reformations of Christian Spirituality and Bass & Stewart-Sicking Christian Spirituality in Europe and North America since 1700
  • 4

    Word and Prayer

    • Spirituality of the Word

    • Lecture 7: Jesus Prayer (2022)

    • L3 Jesus Prayer Slides (2023) - latest with exercises

    • Lecture 3 Pt I (old recordings, PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 3 Pt II

    • Lecture 3 Pt III

    • Lecture 3 Pt IV

    • Lecture 3 Pt V

    • Torrance Contemplating the Trinitarian Mystery of Christ

    • Bianchi Lectio Divina - Foundations n Practice

    • Jesus Prayer Guidelines for Beginners

    • Notes - The Practice of Divine Reading
  • 5

    The Necessary, the Trivial and the Menial

    • Lecture 4 - The Necessary, the Trivial and the Menial
  • 6

    Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality: Philosophy and Practice

    • Ignatian Spirituality

    • Anthony Siow, "Ignatian Spirituality" (Zoom recording)

    • L5 CS101 Ignatian Spirituality Slides

    • Lecture 5 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 5 Pt II

    • Lecture 5 Pt III

    • Lecture 3 Pt IV

    • Lecture 5 Pt V

    • Lecture 5 Pt VI

    • Lecture 5 Pt VII

    • L5 - Ignatian Spirituality: Introduction (LPW)

    • Verploegen Ignatian Spirituality Spirituality in a World of Action

    • Broderick & Lapomarda Jesuits

    • Dalmases St Ignatius of Loyola

    • Huggett Why Ignatian Spirituality Hooks Protestants (optional)

    • Lecourt & Pauchant Ignatian Spirituality & Management A Study Of "Ignatian Executives"

    • Ng Ignatius Spiritual Exercises and Chinese Womens Spiritual Formation in the Hong Kong Protestant Evangelical Context (optional)
  • 7

    Family

    • Lecture 6 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 6 Pt II

    • Lecture 6 Pt III

  • 8

    Friendship and Spiritual Friendship

    • Lecture 7 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 7 Pt II

    • Lecture 7 Pt III

    • Lecture 7 Pt IV

    • Lecture 7 Pt V

  • 9

    Marriage and the Single Life

    • Lecture 8 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 8 Pt II

    • Lecture 8 Pt III

    • Friendship and the single life

  • 10

    The Spirit

    • The Spirit

    • Zoom Recording - Presentations pt 1

    • Lecture 9 (Self-Paced): "Dealing with our Devices."

    • Bass Christian Formation in and for Sabbath Rest

    • Sheldrake Befriending Our Desires
  • 11

    Time, Busyness and Play

    • Zoom Recording - Presentations pt 2

    • Lecture 10 Pt I (PW: tsgb3)

    • Lecture 10 Pt II

    • Lecture 10 Pt III

  • 12

    Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation Form
  • 13

    Assignment Submission

    • General formatting for all assignments

    • Reflection Paper

    • Case Study Paper