christian tradition
Francis in the Christian Tradition
Module Code: 428FFCT Credits: 10 Contact Hours: 30 Level: 4 Lecturer:
Syllabus
Beginning with its Jewish origins, the module will trace ther growth and development of Christian spirituality from the early Church until the present day. The influence of the Church on society and society on the Church will also be considered. The various types of Christian spirituality [New Testament, Patristic, Medieval, Post Reformation and Modern] will also be considered.
Some attention is paid to the contribution made to Christian spirituality by the Platonic and Neoplatonic and Augustinian philosophical tradition in which the Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition firmly roots itself especially through the theology and spirituality of Bonaventure and Duns Scotus.
Some attention is paid to the apostolic poverty reform movements on the eve of St. Francis, and the significance of the Franciscan contribution top both Church and society will also be examined.
The module concludes with an examination of some of the key features of the Franciscan spiritual tradition today.
Aims
- To trace Christian spirituality through the ages
- To open the student to the various epochs of society and the contribution made by Christianity to each era
- To indicate to the student the wealth of spirituality in the Christian tradition
- To enable the student to place the spiritual vision of Francis of Assisi within the context of the whole Christian tradition
- To show how the vision of Francis is interpreted in the Franciscan Intellectual and Spiritual tradition
