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Since its inception, Christians have navigated the tension between the message of hope at the heart of their faith, and the crises and tribulations of human life. This course looks to a range of historical responses to crisis from across Christian history, from early persecution to the irruption of formerly excluded voice sand experiences in our contemporary era. Students on this course will journey with the Church through its history of crisis, learning not just how it responded to the various crises it has faced, but how they might also draw from this rich history to respond to the crises of our present day.
Week 1
Pionus, The Martyrdom of Polycarp
This session focuses on one of the earliest Christian texts: the Martyrdom of the 2nd Century bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp. We will discuss how this text creates a myth around the event, and therein performs a vision of Christian life amidst the persecutions of the early Church.
Week 2
St Augustine of Hippo, The City of God
This session looks at one of the most important books in Christian history: St Augustine’s The City of God. We will discuss how this text copes with the collapse of the Roman Empire, and the failure of salvation history as understood in Augustine’s time, setting the ground for not only a new understanding of the Church, but of history itself.
Week 3
St Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
This session explores the mystical vision of 14th Century English nun, Julian of Norwich. We will see how Julian’s vision attempts to account for sin and the suffering it engenders in light of God’s love, all against the background of massive social upheaval, and of course, plague.
Week 4
Karl Barth, Epistles to the Romans
The Swiss Reformed theologian, Karl Barth, is one of the most important theological voices of the 20th Century. His book on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans interrogates the relationship between grace and worldly politics in light of the widespread liberal Protestant embrace of Nazism.
Week 5
James H. Cone, Theology and Black Power
One of the first examples of both Liberation and Black Theology, Cone’s Theology and Black Power responds to the death of Malcom X, asking how theology can respond to the urgent challenge of Black Power, and what it means for Black people to see Christ in themselves.
Week 1
Dr Nicolete Burbach is the Social and Environmental Justice Lead at the London Jesuit Centre. Her PhD thesis looked at Pope Francis’ hermeneutics of uncertainty, and her research focuses on resourcing Pope Francis to think through issues of alienation and disagreement, with a particular focus on navigating the difficulties around trans inclusion in the Church. Previously, she has taught modules on postmodern theology and Catholic Social Teaching, both at Durham University.
