Winter Term 2019 (January 07 – March 18, 2019)
First-hour courses (7:30 – 8:20 p.m.)
Course G: Crisis? What Crisis?: Robert Sibley, PhD
Robert Sibley, an award-winning journalist and author, holds a PhD in political science. He is currently working on a new book, “The Way of Mountain and Forest: Journeys in the Spirit of Nietzsche, Heidegger and Kierkegaard.
The West is undergoing a spiritual crisis whereby attacks on its traditions of freedom, rights, and the sanctity of human consciousness are fostering political instability, social discontent, and psychological anxiety. Drawing on political philosophy, we consider various “morbid symptoms” – cultural Marxism, political correctness, identity politics, etc. – to explain why this is.
Course H: World Christianity: Catherine E. Clifford, STL, PhD
Catherine E. Clifford is Professor in the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University, where she teaches systematic theology.
This course will explore changes in the face of the Christian movement in the past century, including the dramatic expansion of Christian communities in the global south, the rise of Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, and the indigenization of Christianity in post-colonial contexts. We will consider some possible consequences for the future of the churches in Canada and around the world.
Course I: An Introduction to the Evolution of Christian Church Architecture: Dr. Vicki Bennett
Dr. Vicki Bennett has worked as an archaeologist in Europe, Roman North Africa and Canada. Her book Sacred Space and Structural Style was critically reviewed as “One of the very best books on church architecture in Ontario, and an important addition to the architectural canon…” (ROM)
This course goes beyond a simple history of architecture to include a fascinating glance into the complex world social, cultural, and political factors that have influenced the structure and style of churches across almost two millennia. Participants will explore how the codification of liturgy and changing attitudes towards the status of church and state shaped the space in which Christians worshiped.
Second-hour courses (8:40 – 9:30 p.m.)
Course J: Studio Course in Christian Art: Rev. Doug Valerio
Doug is Pastor at Manotick Community Church and taught this course at Christ for the Nations Bible College in the UK. He spent 4 years at Art College and paints for pleasure.
Each week, there will be a 25-30 min PowerPoint presentation on the history of Christian art. Selected artworks will be discussed in their theological context and the development of art within the social context. For the remainder of the time, participants will work on doing studies for a final piece of their own Christian Art, drawing on ideas and inspiration from the lecture. At the end of the course we will have an art exhibition, where the participant will display their final piece, their portfolio of studies and idea development along with a short, 1-page written piece describing their journey and meaning of their work. No previous experience in drawing or painting is required, just a willingness to have fun, try something new, and journey on a visual exploration of faith. Participants will need to purchase their own art materials (info will be given on the first evening).
Course K: Journeys to Justice: Reflections on Canadian Christian Activism: Joe Gunn
Joe Gunn M.A. has been the executive director of Citizens for Public Justice since 2008 and was the founding vice-chair of KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. His work has been recognized most recently with the Eugène de Mazenod Medal from St. Paul’s University.
What have we learned as people of faith who stopped the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, ended apartheid, organized the private sponsorship of refugees and called for an end to poverty? The example of those who have been tireless labourers for social change across Canada over the years can – and should be – models for our own journey in the quest for public justice. Joe Gunn will present case studies from his interviews with ten key actors from varied ecumenical backgrounds, offer the lessons as they relate them, and discuss perspectives of current justice efforts among faith communities.
Course L: You’ve Got Mail: A study in Revelation: Rev. Stanley Hanna
The Rev. Stanley Hanna is the pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Aylmer and a regular lecturer at the Ottawa School of Theology and Spirituality since 2004.
“Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” (Rev. 1:11) And the letters arrived at each of these churches with an attachment — the “apocalypse” (revelation) of John’s vision from God! Do you know the end from the beginning?