Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religious Studies

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.

What can your spiritual ancestors teach you about holy living today? Although they led ascetic lives centuries ago, St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and other early Christian saints have much to teach everyone in the 21st century. Through their enduring writings, they created blueprints of the spiritual life that remain as powerful in our time as ever.

Recorded in 1964 at his monastery, Thomas Merton gave these lectures to novice Cistercians. Today, you are invited into Merton’s classroom for an intimate discussion about one of Christianity’s most influential figures. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, O. Cist. (1090 - 1153) is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity: a founder, reformer, and Doctor of the Church.

Trained as a scientist and ordained as a Jesuit priest, Teilhard was one of the most profound spiritual writers of the 20th century. He was a mystic with a cosmic vision, and his spirituality continues to enthrall people around the world. He seamlessly wove together science and theology, creating a powerful vision of the universe.

If you've ever had questions about Islam, this course is for you. It is impossible to overestimate the influence of Islam, which brings inspiration and meaning to the lives of many millions of people worldwide. At the same time, misunderstandings about Islam abound. Now, in Introduction to Islam, you will explore the full sweep of the religion of Islam.

Recorded by a monk and mystic who changed the world, these newly remastered lectures showcase Thomas Merton's brilliant teaching. Originally delivered at the Abbey of Gethsemani to his fellow monks, Thomas Merton's talks invite you on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. Under his guidance, you will encounter the great figures of the Christian monastic tradition: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne.

Jesus' disciples, who had previously cowered with fear, were set afire by the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the good news. Explore the power of the Holy Spirit in this course. These essential lectures, presented by former Catholic Biblical Association president Fr. George Montague, will introduce you to the Spirit anew.

Experience this insightful course on the environment. These 12 thought-provoking lectures will give you a distinctly Catholic understanding of the earth. As you explore ecological theology and environmental ethics, you will focus on the themes of origin, crisis, conversion, and action. Using sacred Scripture, the insights of the Franciscan tradition, and modern Catholic social teaching, you will discover a holistic approach to God, humanity, and creation.

Meister Eckhart remains the outstanding representative of Germany’s medieval Rhineland mysticism. While our knowledge of Eckhart’s life is limited, we can see that he was an active mystic in his preaching, teaching, and writing. His boldness of speech is matched by his power to integrate what seem like irreconcilable opposites.

Join monk and mystic Thomas Merton on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. In these talks delivered by Thomas Merton, you will gain a rich introduction to the monastic period of church history, encountering such figures as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne. As you will come to discover, the history of monasticism is deeply intertwined with the greater history of Europe and the Christian contemplative tradition.

Travel into the desert with Thomas Merton as your guide. In the third century, men and women journeyed into the deserts of Syria and Egypt. Turning away from the world, they sought to find salvation in solitude. By doing so, they developed new forms of monasticism and spirituality. Now known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their wisdom remains as inspirational today as ever.

Explore Thomas Merton’s encounter with Islam and its mystical tradition of Sufism with one of Catholicism’s great scholars. This captivating six-lecture audio course focuses on Merton’s engagement with Islam. Your presenter is Professor Sidney Griffith (Ph.D., Catholic University of America), an expert in Muslim-Christian relations and a lifelong reader of Thomas Merton.

How would you like to take a retreat with one of the leading spiritual teachers in the country? Fr. Anthony Gittins, PhD, is a world-renowned scholar who delivered the keynote address for the 2012 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. A teacher par excellence and scholar at the Catholic Theological Union, Fr. Gittins will guide you to deeper understanding about what it means to search for Christ in Seek First the Kingdom: A Spiritual Retreat.

If you’re a busy Catholic woman, this retreat is for you. In these conferences, revered spiritual director and counselor Lyn Holley Doucet commiserates frankly with the stress-filled lives of many women today. The Ignatian teaching on disordered attachments she explores provides an apt lens through which to better understand the compulsions, anxieties, and restlessness that so often bog you down.

Join one of the country's leading spirituality professors in exploring more than 2,000 years of our spiritual history. In The History of Christian Spirituality, you will discover the marvelous gifts bestowed by our spiritual ancestors. These 36 lively, enlightening lectures will take you on a journey from the age of the apostles to our current day.

Modern life is dominated by mass communication, social media, and technology. While these outlets give us new ways to interact, they also distract us from the voice of God. Join two retreat masters in rediscovering God in your daily life through this innovative program based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" For two millennia, believers have tackled this profound question. Now, you are invited to join one of Catholicism’s top theology professors as you explore this question and edify your faith. Under the guidance of award-winning Catholic Theological Union professor Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, you will examine the Christologies of the New Testament.

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.

In the 21st century, men face technological advances, a relentless pace of living and working, and constant demands on their time and attention. Men are searching for meaning - in their careers, relationships, and society. This inspiring retreat provides a path for nurturing faith and sustaining a truly spiritual approach to life. Men of all ages, cultures, and positions will find tremendous spiritual insight under the guidance of Rev. James Clarke, PhD.

The rarely heard sermons and reflective talks in this set attest to the depths of Thomas Merton’s brilliance. You’ll witness the evolution of Merton’s thought as he moved away from a narrow, cloistered mindset to an ecumenical and socially engaged outlook. This curated collection spans five years of his life and comprises four talks that showcase the themes close to Merton’s heart: the authentic Christian life, contemporary society, contemplation, Marxism, and the relationship of literature to religion.