We will examine the personality, history and ecclesiastical career of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and will explore two key primary texts of his reforming pontificate. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)
Through this course we will focus on what Merton said about his public vocation as a Christian writer-monk in the face of social crisis, and how that communicative vocation continues in relation to present-day readers. This class takes place in intensive-format over 3 days – either in person at VST or via Zoom (synchronous):
This course will explore the history and development of race in North American contexts, including the role of Christianity. It will demonstrate the importance and execution of race conversation with children and youth. It will include personal practices to engage children, youth, and adults in productive work toward racial justice. Course will be taught in …
View course details “A Spirituality of Race for Children and Youth (and Those Who Love Them)”
This course will present Augustine of Hippo’s (354-430) perspective on heart therapy and health as prescribed by his Confessions. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)
The course will explore the practice of Christian preaching as a primary medium for “the Gospel” – the saving activity of God in the world – and will provide an opportunity to reclaim “grace” as the organizing principle for proclamation. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree …
View course details “Preaching and the Power of the Gospel: Grace, Sacramentality and Proclamation”
This course is designed to learn about intercultural ministry in order to engage in theological education in ways that integrate academic knowledge with practical skills towards fulfilling the commitment to becoming an intercultural church. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying …
View course details “Intercultural Ministry”
Explore how modern Jewish eco-theologians call people to climate awareness using traditional modes of religious thought: Midrash (Bible interpretation), Halacha (Law and custom), and Kabbalah (mysticism). Available in person or via Zoom (Degree participants must connect synchronously if on Zoom)
We will think about how we think about time, particularly in regard to Paul: did Paul think of time as moving forward consecutively under God’s planned direction, or that through Christ time has been interrupted by God, establishing an already/not yet temporality? We will think about how Paul might have understood life in Christ – …
View course details “Time, Participation in Christ, and Theosis in Paul”
This course outlines the theoretical and pedagogical framework utilized in Fearless Dialogues community conversations to create unique spaces for unlikely partners to engage in hard, heartfelt conversations. Particular attention will be given to the life and work of 20th and 21st century faith leaders, who equally value the epistemic quality of theory, community engagement, and …
View course details “Fearless Dialogues in Church & Community”
The guiding text for this course is the dominical command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12.20-31). How do we do understand this in today’s world with its conflicting demands and …
View course details “Love & Desire”