Course Description
Theology, God-talk, is often defined as “faith seeking understanding.” We will read a variety of spiritual autobiographies to explore questions about the faith journey. We will explore why these different authors chose to tell the story (narrative) of their faith journey, and how they might intend offer their experience as a theological teaching tool to others. The course seeks to consider a variety of spiritual autobiographies, originating in different contexts (though especially within the last century in the United States) and ending up in different religious traditions. We will also read selections of the book considered to be the first spiritual autobiography, Augustine’s Confessions. Through this work, we will experience and explore the potential of “comparative theology,” theology that “is “faith seeking understanding” in the context of dialogue with those of different faiths. We will seek to promote values of shared dialogue, understanding, interfaith encounter, and peace-building.
