Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religious Studies

What does it mean to be an imitator of Christ? Find out by exploring the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi and the movements he inspired with one of the world's leading Franciscan experts as your guide.

St. John of the Cross is one of the most inspiring figures in the history of Christianity: a saint of profound faith, a compelling mystic, and an immensely gifted poet. Now, you can explore the life, teachings, writings, and reflections of St. John of the Cross.

From the Virgin Mary and Francis of Assisi to the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins and the French philosopher Simone Weil, this inspiring course introduces you to the mysticism of ten inspiring luminaries of faith. In 12 lectures, you will look carefully at the lives of these 10 beloved mystics - five men and five women - from the Christian tradition. Bookended by an introduction and conclusion, this series helps you understand mysticism at both the individual community level.

Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (AD 360 - 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide.

"Thy kingdom come." Christians frequently recite these words. But what is God's kingdom? Such a question has fascinated the faithful for more than two millennia. Throughout history we have pondered our ultimate salvation and the "end times", from St. Paul's eschatological epistles to modern best sellers like the Left Behind series. Now this brilliant course introduces you to that history and practice of eschatology, or the study of the final events in history.

Despite her lack of formal education, Teresa of Avila became an inspirational mystic, an influential reformer, and the first female Doctor of the Church. Today, her spiritual works are widely acclaimed as timeless masterpieces. Now, guided by Carmelite spirituality expert Dr. Keith Egan, you will explore St. Teresa’s most beloved work, The Interior Castle.

In this unique retreat, you will join the Master of The Cloud of Unknowing, who will guide you into a powerful encounter with the hidden, living God. Written during the turbulence of 14th-century England, this mystical text and its anonymous author capture some of the most profound contemplative teachings of Christianity.

For Merton, being contemplative meant living out the essential elements of the spiritual life. Having lived out the challenges and triumphs of a contemplative life, Merton had a plethora of practical advice to offer. If the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is truly at work daily, then what does it look like? How can we identify its authentic presence? If it's important to spend time in silence with God, how do we go about entering into it fruitfully?

In this audio program, Merton will challenge you with questions about man's individual destiny, the human condition, prayer, and the nature of time. Originally delivered in 1965, these timeless lectures have been remastered and released as a set for your enjoyment. Delivered with wit and profound insight, these recordings will transport you into the abbey where Merton taught and imparted his spiritual wisdom.

Take a spiritual journey with one of the leading living Jesuit retreat masters: Fr. Joseph Tetlow, SJ (PhD Brown University.) In this 12-conference program, Fr. Tetlow draws from decades of experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He will guide you to choose Christ in the world, discover your authentic desire under God, and seek God in all things. Designed to fit into your own schedule, his retreat gives you the flexibility to take an Ignatian retreat over the course of a few days or months.

The Gospels calls all Christians to work for justice, even in times of conflict. Under the guidance of celebrated moral theologian Fr. Tom Massaro, you will come to understand the dialogue between religion and society. As you do so, you will gain a deep understanding of the history and application of Catholic social teaching.

Women have always been central to the faith. In the Bible, women have played vital and often surprising roles. To understand these remarkable women, we are honored to bring you one of our most highly regarded scholars and teachers, Professor Barbara Reid, OP, PhD. Professor Reid begins this series by exploring the creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2, examining how God created male and female equally in the divine image.

How do you find God? When your soul longs for the spiritual, how do you find the time to turn within? Now, this profound series invites you to look to the contemplative tradition for inspiration and answers. Prayer is one of the most essential acts of the Christian life. In this spiritually edifying 24-lecture series, you will join celebrated author and Pauline sister Kathryn James Hermes, F.S.P., in exploring the tradition of contemplative prayer.

Great Saint Teresa, the Spanish Carmelite of the 16th century, captured the imagination of those seeking God in her own time and beyond. It’s no surprise that she was quickly canonized and, in 1970, became the first woman Doctor of the Church. In this edifying 12-lecture audio course, you’ll understand why her teachings remain transformational today.

An atheist for the beginning of his adulthood, C.S. Lewis later converted to Christianity, largely due to the influence of Catholic writers J. R. R. Tolkien and G. K. Chesterton. He then went on to become one of the most powerful Christian writers of his time, penning such quintessential apologetic works as Mere Christianity. Today, he is cherished by Christians and non-Christians throughout the world.

The Desert Fathers - Christian monks in the ancient Egyptian and Palestinian wilderness - strove to understand the causes and remedies of human sin and were the first to categorize temptations under the headings of the "deadly sins". This course will draw on their wisdom to gain a better understanding of how each deadly sin conflicts with God's plan of creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Join Fr. David Meconi, multiple award-winning professor and Oxford-educated theologian on a journey through the most formative years of Christianity. Through 10 erudite and lively lectures, you will explore the formative centuries of the Church (100-800 C.E.) and the great figures whose lives and writings inspired generations of later thinkers and believers.

The Spiritual Exercises is the greatest guide for discernment ever written. Five hundred years after its publication, it remains a vital resource for hundreds of retreat centers, schools, and religious congregations around the world. St. Ignatius' manual for spiritual growth has given guidance and joy to countless retreatants and learners. This 12 lecture course explores the exercises with fresh eyes.

Now you too can discover the inspiring model of St. Francis as outlined by St. Bonaventure. Bonaventure talks about this spiritual journey as taking place in six steps, like the six days of creation. On each step of the journey, he explores a new dimension of our relationship with God. Bonaventure presents us with a mystical theology, leading us step by step from reflection on the world around us, through reflection on our inner world as human beings, toward the world above us, the divine life of the Holy Trinity.

Explore and experience Ignatian spirituality with one of its leading living experts, Fr. Joseph Tetlow, as your personal guide. Whether you are a layperson unfamiliar with Ignatian spirituality or a Jesuit seeped in its tradition, you will benefit from this unique series. Enter into Ignatian prayer forms: consideration, meditation and contemplation. Explore Jesuit spirituality's leading concepts and convictions. This series demonstrates how 500 years of Jesuit spiritual practice can enrich your own life, faith and relationships.