Christian Spirituality 2:
Practices for Discernment and Discipleship.
Both Scriptures and Christian tradition have
emphasized the close relationship between
theological reflections and personal spirituality.
As the fourth century monastic theologian,
Evagrius Ponticus, puts it, “theology is prayer and
prayer is theology.” That is, proper theological
reflection should give rise to a greater love for
God which, in turn, informs our knowledge of
God.
More than that, this transformative knowledge of God should also deepen our self-knowledge –
the double knowledge underscored by Augustine and John Calvin.
Unfortunately, the transition from theological learning to self-knowledge and personal is not
always straight forward. Some students don’t do so and end up having a ‘head full of knowledge
but nothing much in the heart.’ For this reason, CS102 is introduced as a Spiritual Formation
Practicum (SFP) to help each student renew and deepen her love for God, improve her own selfknowledge (her strengths and weaknesses), and also help discern her role in Christ's mission for
the world.
To avoid student pre-occupation with academic performance, and to help them focus on
deepening their relationship with God, this course will not be graded. Only a Pass will be awarded
upon completion of the SFP.