Indigenous Spirituality and Christian Discipleship (NAIITS)

Semester 2

Available Online

Students will be introduced to a ‘spirituality’ or way of life that grows from the roots of both Indigenous and Christian traditions, noting that there are many ways of mingling the two into one set of practices and rituals. Along the way, students will be invited to consider the value and meaning of practices such as communality, kinship, guidance, initiation, worship, prayer, hospitality, prophecy, evangelisation, sacrifice and solidarity, especially as these are performed by Indigenous peoples. They will also engage with resources that will help them articulate a Christian and Indigenous critique of the dominant forms of spirituality in Modernity.

(NAIITS Indigenous studies unit – open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants)

Code

DS8050W

Level

Postgraduate

Discipline

Spirituality (DS)

Field

Theology: Mission and Ministry (D)

Prerequisites

CT8102W Introduction to Indigenous Theology or BN8002W Introducing the New Testament Narrative

Online

Yes

Location

On NAIITS international learning platform, unit titled Indigenous Spirituality and Spiritual Formation view location >

Faculty

Terry LeBlanc, with NAIITS faculty view profile >

Class Time

Combination of Synchronous online mode via Zoom and additional asynchronous component
(Three hours per week equivalent)

Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:
1. Articulate a personal ‘spirituality’ that draws, in a nuanced and informed manner, on notions of the good life that are both Indigenous and Christian.
2. Articulate a theological critique of forms of spirituality that are driven by individualism, capitalism, and consumerism.
3. Design and choreograph a Christian ritual that is contextually appropriate for a specified Indigenous community.
4. Identify or design a form of daily prayer or meditation that draws, in a nuanced way, on both Christian and Indigenous forms of spiritual practice.
Assessment
- Quizzes (1,000 words) (20%)
- Tutorial presentation (2,000 words) (30%)
- Research essay (3,000 words) (50%)
Recommended reading
Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue
- Benner, David G. Spiritual Companions: the gift of Spiritual friendship and direction. Grand Rapids: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
- Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. London: SCM Press, 2015.
- Champion, Denise. Yarta Wandatha. Salisbury, SA: Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, 2014. (recommended for purchase)
- Charleston, Steven. The Four Vision Quests of Jesus. New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2015. (recommended for purchase)
- Chupungco, Anscar J. Cultural Adaptation of the Liturgy. New York: Paulist Press, 1982.
- Deverell, Garry Worete. Gondwana Theology: a trawloolway man reflects on Christian Faith. Reservoir, Victoria: Morning Star Publishing, 2018.
- Donovan, Vincent. Christianity Rediscovered. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2005. (recommended for purchase)
- Gutierrez, Gustavo. We Drink from our Own Wells: the Spiritual Journey of a People. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1992. (recommended for purchase)
- Lathrop, Gordon W. Holy Ground: a Liturgical Cosmology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.

Indigenous Spirituality and Christian Discipleship (NAIITS)

Learning outcomes

Assessment

Recommended reading

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