THE 2400: CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY AND MYSTICISM - In Person Edition

St. John’s University, Queens Campus, Spring 2025

• Section 70493: 10:40am-12:05pm, SJH 213

Dr. Matthew Lewis Sutton

Associate Professor of Systematic Theology

Office: St. John’s University, Queens Campus, SJH B20–27

Student Hours: 8:30 - 9:00am; 1:45 - 2:45pm Mon and Thu, or appt.

718.990.5052 | suttonm@stjohns.edu | doctorsutton.net

Your Course Website: doctorsutton.net/the2400

Undergraduate Bulletin: “Prerequisite: THE1000C. A study of the spiritual dimensions of humanity based on the religious nature of human beings, the Christian tradition, and modern interdisciplinary insights regarding human nature. Credit: 3 semester hours.”

Core Learning Goals:

• Mission & Values (MV)
• Global and Intercultural Appreciation (GIA)
• Applications of Intellectual Curiosity (IC)

Core Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze the sacred and foundational texts, beliefs, and practices of at least one religious tradition. (MV)
• Analyze the intersections between religion and contemporary issues, including theological, social, political, economic, or cultural. (GIA)
• Evaluate primary sources in historical and contemporary contexts in theology or religious studies, noting their continuity and disjunction. (IC)

Department Learning Outcome:

• Students will analyze the intersections between religion and contemporary issues, including theological, social, political, economic, or cultural.

Sacred Texts & Tradition Core Options: The second theology course, selected from a group of offerings called Sacred Texts and Traditions, builds on the foundation of historical analysis and critical exegesis of theological developments and faith expressions in the first theology course. All sections of the second theology course draw on disciplines such as history and literary analysis. Students will demonstrate an ability to critically interpret religious traditions and texts as both historically embedded and always-evolving responses to the experience of the transcendent in human life.

My course provides an introductory encounter with Christian spirituality and mysticism. The focus will be on attaining a foundational biblical, historical, and theological literacy of the central themes of Christian Spirituality and Mysticism through the central eras of Christian history. Christian belief in the particularity of Jesus Christ as the way to the Father in the Holy Spirit affects how Christians interpret the world, the human person, and union with God. The course achieves greater appreciation of the historical, cultural, and theological developments of Christian spirituality to see its origins and importance for today.

By the conclusion of the course, the student should be able:

• to articulate (in writing and speaking) a knowledge of the development of Christian spirituality with its foundations in the Bible and Christian history
• to analyze critically scripture and other theological texts pertaining to Christian spirituality and mysticism
• to appreciate intellectually the central and diverse saints, events, and ideas of Christian spirituality

Course Texts: Required:

Purchased by Student

• Bible, must be an appropriate translation for academic work, such as the RSV, NRSV, NAB, NABre, NIV, ESV, NKJV. Recommended translation: The Ignatius Bible (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition). Second Edition. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1586177706 Paperback or Kindle. If you have questions, see me.
• Gerald Sittser. Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries. IVP Books, 2010. Paperback. ISBN: 9780830837458
• Bernard McGinn. The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism (Modern Library Classics). Modern Library, 2006 Paperback. ISBN: 9780812974218

Provided by the Professor

• Barron, Robert. Catholicism: Documentary. Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, 2014.
• Benedict. Rule of St. Benedict. Edited by Timothy Fry. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1980. Online
• Francis, Pope. On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. Vatican City, 2024. Online
• Sacred: Milestones of Spiritual Life Documentary. Director Thomas Lennon, 2007. Online
• Vincent de Paul: Charity’s Saint: Documentary. Vincentian Studies Institute at De Paul University, 2010. Online
• Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac: Rules, Conferences, and Writings. Edited by Frances Ryan and John Rybolt. Classics of Western Spirituality. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0809135646 Paperback

Course Structure:

The course will be structured with three major units that are foundational for understanding Christianity Spirituality and Mysticism in its historical development. The first unit will focus on understanding the biblical and early church foundations of Christian Spirituality with particular focus on the person of Jesus Christ and themes from early Christian Spirituality. The second unit will focus on studying the Middle Ages of the Church and its fascinating developments of Christian Spirituality. The third unit will explore themes in Christian Spirituality during the Reformation, the Modern Age, and into today. In all units we will learn several central themes, persons, events, and ideas of Christian Spirituality and Mysticism. Above all, the units will help to shape the student’s understanding of central themes, persons, events, and ideas of Christian Spirituality and Mysticism through Christian history and its importance today.

Learning Assessment:

In this course, you can earn 100 points. You earn these points by successfully completing the following:

• Course Participation = 10 points
• Encountering Christian Spirituality Assignment Sheets = 40 points (2 point per sheet)
• Occasion of Joy Exams = 30 points (3 exams)
• Occasion of Jubilation Final Research Paper = 20 points

NY State Regulations for 3 credit hours (IN PERSON)

45 contact hours

90 supplementary hours

45 Supplementary Reading

45 hrs Research Project, & Writing

Grading Scale:

A = 100 - 93 points (100 - 93%); A- = 92 - 90 points (92 - 90 %); B+ = 89 - 87 points (89 - 87%); B = 86 - 83 points (86 - 83%); B- = 82 - 80 points (82 - 80%); C+ = 79 - 77 points (79 - 77%); C = 76 - 73 points (76 - 73%); C- = 72 - 70 points (72 - 70%); D+ = 69 - 67 points (69 - 67%); D = 66 - 60 points (66 - 60%); F = 59 - 0 points (59 - 0%)

We are at our best when:

• We are Here because we are better together.
• We act with Academic Integrity, which means no plagiarism, no cheating, no damaging of other people’s work, no use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generative tools, and no assisting someone else’s dishonesty. Plagiarism is the act of appropriating and using the ideas, writings, or works of another person or program as your own without giving proper citation to the person or program who created it. I will follow the university’s procedure for plagiarism and discipline to the highest extent allowable, which can include a failure for this course and the act of plagiarism noted in your academic file. Any further offenses entail suspension or expulsion. Additionally, the course is protected by and compliant with copyright law and intellectual property rights following university policy. As expected of all students, we will be following St. John’s Student Code of Conduct.
• We are Actively Engaged with each other. As a student, you must participate in class regularly, attentively, and promptly with readings and assignments completed. As a professor, I must be available to you for encouraging and guiding you to excel in your education.
• You are Responsible for Everything said in class. You are responsible for getting class notes and lectures from another student. Only after you have received and read those notes can you contact me with further questions about the class.
• We do what is Effective, not what is Popular. We do the hard and real work of growing our understanding. We do not do simple, fancy, or splashy assignments. We’re not interested in fads, but what works in growing young intellectuals that can achieve profound goals. No shortcuts.
• We use any Digital Devices and Services appropriately during class time such as cell phones, text messaging, smart watches, tablets, laptops, or generative AI tools. If you do not follow this policy, you will not be able to earn participation points for the class meeting or assignments. If it continues to be a problem, your overall point total will be reduced according to the severity of your lack of engagement.
• We turn in our Assignments and Papers promptly as directed by the professor. Even if you are absent, you are still responsible for turning in your assignments by the beginning of class or as directed. If your assignment is late, your grade for that assignment will be lowered at least by 10% for each day that it is late. Your grade will continue to be lowered to zero at my discretion until it is submitted.
• We attend Prepared for all Exams and the Final Cumulative Exam and these should not be missed. If you cannot attend an exam, you must consult me in advance and receive clear approval from me. No make-up exams will be given unless you receive clear approval beforehand or as determined by me. Since the dates of the exams are clearly communicated to you, it is unlikely that you will receive approval.
• We learn because We Are Human and we desire to know the truth about the divine, the world, and ourselves. We strive for Excellence without Excuses.

University Resources For Academic Success

The Writing Center: St. John’s University Writing Center supports your writing process in one-on-one consultations with student writing consultants. From brainstorming research topics to polishing a cover letter, they collaborate with you, in person or online. Make an appointment at https://stj.mywconline.com, using your SJU email address.

Student Accessibility Services: St. John's University is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of its diverse student body. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at Marillac Hall, Room 134. Our team is here to support you and ensure that you have equal access to educational opportunities. To register, visit Accommodate at signon.stjohns.edu and follow the instructions on the landing page. For more information, visit www.stjohns.edu/SAS, contact via email SAS@stjohns.edu, or by phone 718-990-6867.

Religious Observance: The University observes a number of religious holy days as an expression of its Catholic and Vincentian Mission. Each year a complete schedule of holidays and special days are approved by the President and communicated to the University Community. Students who wish to observe a religious holiday that is not included in the University’s holiday schedule, may request to do so.