To learn the nature of a spiritual classic
To understand the necessity of spiritual classics
To prepare the reader for Nazianzus’ Five Theological Orations
Gregory of Nazianzus
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To be able to articulate the major points of Theological Orations 3-5
To understand the connection between doctrine and piety
To prepare the reader for Augustine’s Confessions
Augustine of Hippo
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To be able to articulate the main points of Augustine’s Confessions
To prepare the reader for Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God
Bernard of Clairvaux
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To understand the main themes in On Loving God
To challenge the reader’s conceptions of loving God
To prepare the reader for Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To understand the main themes of Imitation of Christ
To articulate the benefit of an “imitative spirituality”
To prepare the reader for Martin Luther’s Large Catechism
Martin Luther
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To articulate an overview of the Large Catechism
To understand the spiritual aid catechisms provide
To prepare the reader for John Calvin’s Little Book on the Christian Life
John Calvin
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To articulate the major themes of Little Book on the Christian Life
To understand the place of the cross in the Christian life
To prepare the reader for Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Jeremiah Burroughs
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To articulate Burroughs’ description of Christian contentment
To understand the place of contentment in the Christian life
To prepare the reader for Thomas Brooks’ Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices
Thomas Brooks
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To articulate the main remedies given by Brooks
To relocate and defend against Satan and his attacks in our personal lives
To prepare the reader for Jonathan Edwards, “Heaven, A World of Love”
Jonathan Edwards
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To be able to articulate the main points of Edwards’ sermon
To understand how the final love offered in heaven affects our life here and now
To prepare the reader for Geerhardus Vos, “Heavenly-mindedness”
J.C. Ryle
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To reacquaint the student with J.C. Ryle
To be able to articulate the main points of Holiness
To prepare the reader for Geerhardus Vos, “Heavenly-mindedness”
Geerhardus Vos and Introduction to Dietrich Bonhoeffer
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To explore a broad sweep of Geerhardus Vos’ thought
To refocus personal attention to heavenly-mindedness
To prepare the reader for Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Costly Grace”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Course Conclusion
July 1, 2021 • Mr. John Muether
To challenge the student’s conception of “grace”
To assess the modern appropriation of Bonhoeffer
To provide next steps for the student’s devotional life
