Christ Our Light (EI/ST)
Prof. Ivana Noble, PhD.
Winter Term 2026, 6 credits, International Students/Protestant Theology/TKT, Optional, KZ
Wednesdays 15.10-16.40, room D
The seminar explores the figure and the roles of Christ in the spiritual experience of Christians of the different times, traditions and cultures. It starts with the impact of the spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures, and of the liturgical and the ascetic tradition of both the Christian East and West. Then, it offers analysis of the images of Christ in the early Christian art; the call and the help of Christ in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola and in the Protestant hymns; the different forms of liberation associated with Christ, whether in the post-colonial context or amidst gender injustices or ecological problems. The seminar examines also the problem of the glorification of suffering in the situations of abuse, and the spiritual conditions of a sustainable reconciliation. The last classes look into practices related to faith in Christ within the reflected multi-religious and secular contexts. Students will work with both spiritual and theological texts, they will visit National Gallery, and one of the spiritual centres in Prague. An active participation in the classes will be required, as well as an oral presentation and a written essay.