Professor 

Justification
Spiritual Theology is founded on and inspired by the triune God revealed in the Sacred Scripture. This revelation of God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer is complete in Jesus Christ and in the coming of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, spiritual life of every baptized Christian has always been and should be Christ-centered lived in the Spirit. For Christ is the exemplar and efficient cause of Christian holiness. Hence, Spiritual Theology is not an ascetic discipline, but has its foundation in the Sacred Scripture.

Objectives
This course aims to introduce to the students the foundational scriptural themes of Spiritual Theology. In doing so it seeks to underscore the spiritual dimension of God’s plan of salvation of the humankind which is expounded in the entire Bible both in the Old Testament (OT) and in the New Testament (NT). Thereby it facilitates the students to discover and value the richness of the human vocation of being created in the image and likeness of God to the new and renewed status of being the redeemed children of God through Jesus Christ and in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

Content

1. Introduction to the Biblical dimension of Spiritual Theology in light of the OT and the NT.
2. “Torah/Pentateuch” (election – redemption – sanctification – direction – instruction) as the foundation for Spiritual Theology.
3. “Nevi’im” (Prophets) and “Ketuvim” (writings), while proceeding from the “Torah”, reveal the vertical and the horizontal dimension of Spiritual Theology, respectively.
4. The fundamental themes that constitute the spirituality of the OT (creation, fall, promise, liberation, covenant, etc.).
5. Jesus Christ is the center and the source of Spiritual Theology. In him the “Law and the Prophets find fulfillment (cf. Lk 2:44). For Jesus is the beginning (Alpha) and the end (Omega) in whom the Father has revealed everything (cf. Rev 22:13; Heb 1:1-2).
6. The Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John) while expounding Jesus’ life, words, and deeds also present the four stages of Christian journey towards spiritual maturity (catechetical – ecclesial – missionary – contemplative, respectively).
7. The Holy Spirit who led the early Christian community with the dynamic, sanctifying, and enduring presence continues to lead every baptized Christian towards the spiritual maturity to live the life in Christ to the full.
8. Mary, the Mother of God is a perfect model of Christian spirituality, a disciple par excellence who listened to the word of God – contemplated – and practiced (cf. Lk 2:19; 11,28).

Method
Major part of the course (about 8 lessons) would be in the form of video recording and will be available through Moodle. The last two weeks (four hours) going to be a live-interactive session using the zoom application, wherein the students will be able to interact directly with the professor. 

Criteria for evaluation
Students will be evaluated through an oral exam with Zoom (10-15 minutes maximum) or a written paper (fuller indications will be given in the Moodle course).

Time distribution
12 hours in class, personal readings, and preparation for the written paper or oral examination.

Essential bibliography:

• Aumann, J., Spiritual Theology, London – New York, 2006.
• Barr, J., The Concept of Biblical Theology: An Old Testament Perspective, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 1999.
• Beale, G. K., The New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011.
• Bowe, B. E., Biblical Foundations of Spirituality: Touching a Finger to the Flame, Lanham, 2017.
• Guthrie, D., New Testament Theology, Inter-Varsity Press, Illinois, 1981.
• Harrington, W.J., “Biblical Spirituality – Hope”, Proceedings of the Irish Biblical Association 25 (2002) 133-149.
• Larsen, D.L., Biblical Spirituality: The Real Connection between the Bible and Life, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001.
• Schneiders, S.M., “Biblical Spirituality”, Interpretation 70 (2016).
• Stinton, D.B., “Mary of Nazareth: Exemplar of Biblical Spirituality”, Priscilla Papers 12 (1998) 1-14.
• Whelan, M. D., Living Strings: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality, Ridgefield, Connecticut 1994.