Course: Introduction to Christian Spirituality

« Back
Course title Introduction to Christian Spirituality
Course code KSV/KTUKS
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Cincialová Marta, Mgr. Th.D.
Course content
Study materials (videos, lecture notes) are available to distance learning students on the Moodle platform. Course content, topics: Definition of basic concepts in spiritual theology. An introduction to the main spiritual themes: Man as the image of God - Christian anthropology, sin, grace, nature. Theological virtues. The laws and stages of spiritual development; models of the spiritual journey in the history of Christian spirituality. Christian maturity. Prayer - basic forms and the development of prayer; lectio divina; Christian and non-Christian meditation. Christian asceticism and its purpose; misconceptions of asceticism and false notions of God. Spiritual discernment; the purpose of temptation, passions and vices. Natural virtues. The call to holiness and the personal vocation. Means of the spiritual life; obstacles on the spiritual journey.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to spiritual life; it presupposes faith and religious experience, or at least a serious interest in spirituality, and is recommended primarily to those who wish to deepen their Christian experience. Students will be able to DEFINE basic concepts in the field of Christian spirituality, DESCRIBE the most important types of religious experience and DISCUSS key spiritual themes. Students will be able to INTERPRET the spiritual experience of significant figures in the Christian tradition, DISTINGUISH authentic Christian spirituality, and EVALUATE the choice of means for spiritual life.
Students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained on theological and spiritual topics to their own personal spiritual lives.
Prerequisites
An interest in Christian spirituality.

Assessment methods and criteria
Seminar Work

Students are to write a seminar paper based on their reading of a selected title from the recommended reading list. Format: a reflection or a review. Length: 4-6 standard pages.
Recommended literature
  • Brian Mc Laren. Křesťanství 2.0. Praha. 2025.
  • Vavřinec od Vzkříšení. Žít v Boží přítomnosti. Praha. 2025.
  • WEISMAYER, J. (1994). Život v plnosti: dějiny a teologie duchovního života, Kostelní Vydří 1994.. Kostelní Vydří.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester