Jansenism: The struggle for salvation in the new nation state and the emergence of Christian modernity

WYT5810H
Summary

This course aims to cover a lesser-known yet crucial period in the history of theology and spirituality at the end of the Confessional Era and the beginning of the Enlightenment. It relates matters of historical context, the practice of church reform, the theologies of grace and attendant metaphysical positions which worked themselves out in distinct forms of spiritual practice, moral theology and political approaches within the context of the emergent “nation state”. The contribution of the bible in its new French translations,  as well as the works of Saint Augustine in particular will be considered and evaluated. The (disputed) reputation for a certain proximity to Protestantism and its keen focus on Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Pneumatology offer rich insights for ecumenical theology as functions in a more evolved modern political context. Likewise, the period’s experiments, debates, and reform in missionary and catechetical practice, along with biblical interpretation, will be studied in its relation to past and later developments in Western and non-Western ecclesial contexts.  The bulk of the reading will be in English translations and secondary material;  but students should be prepared to read approx. 20 pages in French material per week;  they will be supported and encouraged in this limited exercise.

 

Enrolment Notes

Please note the pre-requisite for this class: Competence in reading French;  limit will be approx. 20 pages per week in French

In-person only

Additional Notes

Please note: All syllabi are considered draft until the first day of class. Please look for the final version of the course syllabus to be posted on the course's Quercus site.

Course Syllabus
Session Offered
Winter 2023
Start Date
-
Day
Wed
Time
04:00 pm ~ 06:00 pm
Discipline
Theological
Online
No
Instructor
Teaching Method
Lectures
Credits
1