TH 105 - Foundations of Eastern Christian Spirituality (Part 3 of COP)

$ 1,125.00

Course Title: TH 105 - Foundations of Eastern Christian Spirituality (Part 3 of COP)

Instructor: Dr. Robert  Marko

Dates: 10/25 - 12/20

Format: Online

Course Description: This course explores “The Life of the Church” Part 3 of COP grounding moral living in the spiritual life or being a new creation in Christ. As such, we will review the inherited Eastern Christian spiritual tradition and practices before considering the meaning of the Decalogue, most specifically IV to X .

Topics include first theological foundations for spiritual life, the struggle with the eight passions, spiritual struggle, prayer and asceticism.  Secondly, we will discuss the implications for “life in Christ” of commandments IV, V, VI and IX or issues of sex and marriage and bio or medical moral ethics.  Thirdly, in the section on “Society Transfigured in the Church,” we will deal with commandment V on life along with numbers  VII, VIII and X. Considering  post-Soviet and post Maidan Ukrainian experience, we will focus on justice, private property, nationalism and war, democracy, work and globalization.

While our major source will be Part III of COP, participants will become familiar with selected passages from  the  Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,  significant teachings  from Church Fathers and Councils , papal and Ukrainian hierarchical documents . Almost all resources can be accessed online free and available in English and Ukrainian and other languages. A hard copy of the Christ Our Pascha is recommended but not required.  The instructor will provide PowerPoint presentations, PDF articles, Word documents and lecture outlines that can be adapted for personal and their wok in ministry.