Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Guides for the 21st Century

What does it mean to be an imitator of Christ? Find out by exploring the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi and the movements he inspired with one of the world's leading Franciscan experts as your guide. From the humble backyard birdbath to the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, images of this Italian cloth merchant's son can be found almost anywhere. His followers now number nearly one million in more than 96 countries, lay and religious, men and women. But who was St. Francis? Why do so many of us find him such an attractive Christian and human figure? What is fact and what is fiction about his life, his teaching, and his impact on global society? Learn the remarkable story behind the Franciscan movement. Now you can trace the amazing story of the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare with this exciting new 24-lecture series by renowned Franciscan scholar Brother William Short, former president of the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. Whether you have studied Francis for a lifetime or you are only casually acquainted with this amazing saint, we guarantee you will treasure this unique course.

This course will have a profound impact on your faith and thinking. Thomas Aquinas, OP (1225-1274), is one of world history's most influential thinkers. His works indelibly shaped Western thought and Christian belief, and his brilliant ideas continue to resonate in universities and churches everywhere. But his complex thought can often seem inaccessible. In this superb course, taught by an internationally known Aquinas expert, you will tour his towering thought while gaining powerful insights into your faith and values. You will cover his ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophical theology. Under Prof. Stump's guidance, you will see the world through his eyes. You will begin with an introduction to Aquinas' ethics in order to explore his views on human flourishing and morality. Then you will gain tremendous insights into his metaphysics, which engage with the nature of ultimate reality, God's eternity, and much more. After looking at his philosophy of free will, you will explore his epistemology. Finally, you will encounter his complex and fascinating philosophical theology. Along the way Prof. Stump will guide you through complex philosophical concepts with deft and easy-to-understand teaching. Although he died young, it is impossible to overestimate Aquinas' influence on Western philosophy. His thought remains as relevant today as ever. You don't want to miss this enlightening journey through the thought of one of the great intellectual giants of the Christian tradition.

Join Thomas Merton in exploring one of the most influential figures in the history of spirituality. Delivered in 1962 to the novices at Merton's monastery, these talks allow you to hear his voice and experience his powerful teaching. Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (A.D. 360 – 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide. These remastered recordings of his lectures give you the opportunity to discover the vitality of Cassian's philosophy of prayer with Thomas Merton as your guide. A teacher par excellence, Merton breathes new life into ancient texts as he passes tradition onto novices. Merton's conferences are not didactic presentations about Cassian's teachings but meaningful applications of them to the modern world. Cassian integrated Eastern monasticism into Western thought, and his Conferences provide the principles of monastic life: unceasing prayer, charity, and asceticism. Especially compelling are his teachings about prayer and virtue and his examination of the "prayer of fire" as the goal of contemplation. Merton guides you through these topics and more in his captivating talks. You will discover why the mysticism of John Cassian is cherished in the monastic tradition and the wider Christian community alike. These conferences will inspire you as you explore your own spiritual life. This set includes an afterword by Fr. Anthony Ciorra.

Presented by acclaimed biographer Prof. Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D., this course explores the life and literary genius of Thomas Merton. When Thomas Merton published "The Seven Storey Mountain" in 1948, no one could have expected it to become an international sensation. An autobiography of his conversion to Catholicism, it became a wildly popular bestseller, propelling this humble Trappist monk to literary fame. Today, it is widely regarded as a spiritual classic. While it remains his most famous work, "The Seven Storey Mountain" is only the tip of the iceberg in Merton's rich, multi-layered oeuvre. In Thomas Merton, ""The Seven Storey Mountain, and the Rest of the Story,"" you will join award-winning professor and speaker Michael W. Higgins in exploring Merton's compelling autobiographical literature. As you examine his journals, letters, novels, and poetry, you will encounter a brilliant portrait of the premier Catholic spiritual figure of the twentieth century. Although "The Seven Storey Mountain" cemented Thomas Merton as a prominent writer, he also felt that it presented a limited portrait of him. Indeed, his later autobiographical works, such as "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander" and "The Asian Journal," show a more mature and fully realized vision. "The Seven Storey Mountain" would establish many of Merton's most powerful themes—his later works brought these themes to their apex. In this course, you will examine the writings of this modern and post-modern chronicler of the soul's unfolding. Encounter Thomas Merton—the man, monk, and mystic—today.

Gain fresh insights into the New Testament in this life-changing course by a celebrated Bible translator and Oxford professor. Perhaps no other text has so greatly influenced Western civilization as the New Testament. And yet, it also remains widely misunderstood, even among lifelong Christians. Now, "The New Testament: A Bible Study Course" answers your most important questions about its 27 books. Brilliantly presented by Fr. Nicholas King, these 36 engaging lectures give you access to modern scholarship on the New Testament. Fr. King's original translations breathe new life into the words you have so often heard and studied, accurately conveying the mood of the original documents. After a fascinating general introduction to the New Testament, you will take a fresh look at the Pauline epistles. You will enjoy four lectures on each of the Gospels before looking at Acts of the Apostles, the general epistles, and Revelation. Finally, you will consider the important themes of Christ's Resurrection, divine inspiration, and the necessity of the Old Testament. Above all, you will gain a fuller sense of Jesus as a devout Jew who was telling the old story of God and the People of God in a new way. And as Jesus preached, the gospel message is open to all. This scriptural journey will fill you with the excitement that pervades the writings of the New Testament. Embark on it today.

You are invited to take a spiritual journey with Thomas Merton. Originally presented to a group of nuns on a four-day retreat, these moving talks will touch your heart while revealing new pathways for your spiritual growth. As you examine the relationship between solitude and solidarity, you will explore contemplation as practiced in its diverse forms by believers worldwide. For Merton, being contemplative meant living out the essential elements of the spiritual life. Having lived out the challenges and triumphs of a contemplative life, Merton had a plethora of practical advice to offer. If the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is truly at work daily, then what does it look like? How can we identify its authentic presence? If it's important to spend time in silence with God, how do we go about entering into it fruitfully? The chance to hear Merton—in his own voice—work through these and many other questions is priceless, for these talks reveal just how much care and wisdom he brings to the conversation. Ultimately, Merton seeks to teach us to welcome Christ's abundant life into our hearts so that we can truly experience the joy of the Resurrection. Let him show you the path to that profound joy today. Photograph of Thomas Merton by Sibylle Akers. Used with permission of the Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University.