Theme A. The nature of religious experience with particular reference to: Visions – sensory; intellectual; dreams. Conversion – individual/communal; sudden/gradual. Mysticism – transcendent; ecstatic and unitive. Prayer – types and stages of prayer according to Teresa of Avila
Prayer: The Four Waters of Prayer taught by St. Teresa of Avila
Vision: The Angels of Mons
Conversion: Conversion of Paul
Vision: The story of the apparitions in Lourdes
Dream: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph
Transcendent mysticism: Sufism Dancing to Get Closer to God
Prayer: The Four Waters of Prayer taught by St. Teresa of Avila
Vision: The Angels of Mons
Conversion: Conversion of Paul
Vision: The story of the apparitions in Lourdes
Dream: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph
Transcendent mysticism: Sufism Dancing to Get Closer to God
Theme B. Mystical experience: William James’ four characteristics of mystical experience: ineffable, noetic, transient and passive. Rudolf Otto – the concept of the numinous; mysterium tremendum; the human predisposition for religious experience.
Mystical Experience - Ruldolf Otto
Mystical Experience - Ruldolf Otto
Theme C. Challenges to the objectivity and authenticity of religious experience: With reference to Caroline Franks Davis (description-related; subject-related and object-related challenges). Claims of religious experience rejected on grounds of misunderstanding; claims delusional - possibly related to substance misuse, fantastical claims contrary to everyday experiences. Challenges: individual experiences valid even if non-verifiable; claims could be genuine - integrity of individual; one-off experiences can still be valid even if never repeated.
Problems of Objectivity and Authenticity
Problems of Objectivity and Authenticity
Theme D. The influence of religious experience on religious practice and faith:
Value for religious community including: affirmation of belief system; promotion of faith value system; strengthening cohesion of religious community.
Night of Power in Istanbul
Value for individual including faith restoring; strengthening faith in face of opposition; renewal of commitment to religious ideals and doctrines. The Formation Of The Khalsa
Value for religious community including: affirmation of belief system; promotion of faith value system; strengthening cohesion of religious community.
Night of Power in Istanbul
Value for individual including faith restoring; strengthening faith in face of opposition; renewal of commitment to religious ideals and doctrines. The Formation Of The Khalsa
Theme E. Miracles the definitions of: St Thomas Aquinas (miracles different from the usual order), David Hume (transgression of a law of nature), R.F. Holland (contingency miracle), Richard Swinburne (religious significance). Consideration of reasons why religious believers accept that miracles occur: evidence from sacred writings; affirmation of faith traditions; personal experience.
Theme F. A comparative study of two key scholars from within and outside the Christian tradition and their contrasting views on the possibility of miracles: David Hume – his scepticism of miracles including challenges relating to testimony based belief; credibility of witnesses; susceptibility of belief; contradictory nature of faith claims. Richard Swinburne – his defence of miracles, including definitions of natural laws and contradictions of Hume’s arguments regarding contradictory nature of faith claims and credibility of witnesses.
BBC Hume
BBC Hume