COURSE SYLLABUS:
1. The German Mystical Tradition
The Celtic Influence
The Rhineland Mystics: Hildegard of Bingen, Mechteld of Magdeburg, Meister Eckart, Jacob Boehme, Johannes Tauler
2. The Protestant Reformation in Germany
Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, The Marburg Debate,
The Marian Exiles and the Reformed Influence in Britain
3. The German Migrations
The Effects of the Thirty Years War on German Emigration, Settlements in the New World
4. Development and Characteristics of Pennsylvania German Spirituality
Who Are the Pennsylvania Dutch?
Pietism, Folk Spirituality, Revelational Transcendentalism, Spiritual Influences in Folk Art
5. The Union Church Tradition
Lutheran and Reformed: Spiritual Co-existence and Cooperation
Historical Perspective of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches
6. Worship and Liturgy
Teaching the Faith, The Heidelberg Catechism and Palatinate Liturgy, Stark’s Daily Handbook, The Liturgical Movement and Mercersburg Theology
7. Folk Spirituality
European Origins of the Pennsylvania German Folk Tradition, Symbolism in the Decorative Arts, Folk Beliefs and Superstitions
8. Faith Healing
Braucherei (pow-wowing), Hohman’s Long Hidden Friend, Folk Medicine and Natural Remedies
9. Reformed Theology Today and the Future of Pennsylvania German Spirituality |