MP534 Spiritual Transformation of Postmoderns: the Collapse of Space/Time
DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with the need for deep spiritual transformation in the rapidly changing realities of postmodern space and time. Universal clock time that emerged in the modern age is becoming increasingly segmented and reversible in the information revolution of the postmodern age. Some estimate that North Americans have ten percent less discretionary time today than they did a decade ago. We live in a world that seems much smaller and is much faster. These changes have been described as "the collapse of space and time" and have resulted in widespread hurry sickness. This course is built around a cultural exegesis of these recent spatial-temporal phenomena and addresses the following:
1) In the face of the space-time collapse, how much time and space for God is needed and what kinds of spiritual practices are necessary for spiritual transformation, healing and reflection of the image of Christ?
2) How is this collapse related to the spiritualities emerging since 1950 especially in the postmodern generations?
3) How does time and space created for God through inward contemplation (involving listening prayer, the scriptures and other images) relate to the outward mission of these generations?
One third of the total time/space required in this course will involve students in the actual practice of the disciplines of intimacy with Jesus. Students will also participate in peer mentoring with each other and do a missional exercise.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Experience in analyzing and interpreting postmodern culture.
Practice of spiritual exercises enabling communion with God, healing, refreshment and compassionate mission.
Knowledge of spiritual, biblical and culturally sensitive patterns of leading and mentoring that create unhurried time and space for: 1) God; 2) community; and 3) incarnational mission among postmodern people.
COURSE FORMAT:
Class gatherings will involve lecture, media, discussion, two required Saturday retreats and six one-hour meetings in a peer-mentoring small group outside of regular class time. The class will meet nine times over five weeks for three hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings using cognitive, relational, and experiential approaches to learning.
READING:
A minimum of 1100 pages should be read.
Required:
David Bosch Believing in the Future
Richard Flory/D. Miller Gen X Religion
Anthony Giddens The Consequences of Modernity
Paul Jensen Course Reader
Robert Levine A Geography of Time
Leanne Payne The Healing Presence
Marjorie Thompson Soul Feast
N. T. Wright The Way of the Lord
Robert Wuthnow After Heaven
Choose one of the following texts on reserve in the library and read only the section on space/time:
Zygmunt Bauman Liquid Modernity
Manuel Castells The Networked Society, Vol. 1
David Harvey The Condition of Postmodernity
Choose one (also on reserve):
W. Paul Jones Season in the Desert: Making Time Holy
Kathleen Norris Cloister Walk
Henri Nouwen Lifesigns
REQUIREMENTS: 8,500 words (approximately 33 pages) of writing materials including:
Spiritual Journal—2000 words or approximately 8 pages.
-4 pages describing four monthly times of extended personal communion with God (EPC) lasting six hours
-4 pages describing your daily practice of a spiritual discipline or exercise for four weeks of term.
Logs–on a minimum of 1100 pages of reading and a peer-mentoring group log.
Missiological Exercise–in deed and/or word (4 hours) with a group/individual (a 750 word journal/report due).
Final Project—4,000 word paper (approximately 16 pages) integrating what was learned in the course with the student’s past, present or anticipated ministry/mission context.
PREREQUISITE : None though MP520 "Mission to Contemporary Culture" would be helpful.
FINAL EXAM: None Last edited 3/17/03