Course Description: In the third and fourth centuries a number of Christians withdrew from the maddening world of their day to embrace prayerful lives of contemplation and simplicity. Often witty, sometimes acerbic, the teachings of these spiritual saints, rebels, and oddballs speak to universal human relationships and spiritual struggles. They often prayed through the night, fasted frequently, owned little by way of material possessions, avoided company, abstained from sexual relationships, and in many cases, did not even participate in public worship. Today's typical suburban church goer might hardly recognize them as Christians! 

Despite how foreign their lifestyle might appear to us, the Desert Mothers and Fathers struggled with the same challenges and foibles as we do, as we seek to sincerely practice the Christian faith and live in a manner worthy of our calling. Their stories speak to our often confusing and conflicted sense of self, as well as our sometimes-prickly relationships with others in community. On loftier matters, the wisdom of the Desert sages speaks directly to our hearts, on topics such as discerning the will of God, accepting the call to a holy life, and obeying the uncompromising demands of the Gospel.
In this four-week online course we will join together to read, and reflect on, the entertaining and insightful ancient stories of these spiritual sages and religious eccentrics, exploring how their wisdom and wit speaks directly to our contemporary spirituality.

Everyone is welcome to take this course. Those seeking credit toward the Certificate in Spiritual Formation will be invited to submit a reflection paper six-eight weeks following the course.

Objectives:
  1. To foster, or strengthen, the practice of sacred reading as an integral part of one’s daily spiritual discipline;
  2. To gain wisdom from classic Christian spiritual writings — of the Desert Fathers and Mothers — and apply that wisdom to life today;
  3. To cultivate insight through reading, reflection and sharing with others as a spiritual practice. 
  4. To grow in faith through the above experiences and practices. 
Texts:
Required text: The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers – Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Ed., Paraclete Press, 2010
Optional: Stories of the Desert Fathers - Israel Galindo, Educational Consultants, 2015
Optional: The Wisdom of the Desert - Thomas Merton, New Directions Publishing, 1970
 
Location: Online

With: Carl McColman is a contemplative writer, speaker, teacher, soul friend and storyteller. He is the author of numerous books including The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Answering the Contemplative Call and Unteachable Lessons. 
 
Schedule: This is an asynchronous course; participants will not be required to log on at specific times. 

Program Fee: $190
 
Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Your balance is due 30 days before the class begins. If you need to cancel, please submit a cancellation form or call 404-687-4577. Cancellations must be received 10 business days before the class to receive a refund of the program fee minus deposit. (Deposit is $50 unless otherwise stated). Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Earning CEUs for this course: If you desire to earn a certificate confirming earned CEUs in this course, please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning.