This course examines the principles and foundations of Catholic theology regarding its nature and method, the relationship between philosophy and theology, theology as the science of ecclesial faith, and its sources in Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Church.
This course explores the origin, nature, and mission of the Church in Scripture and Tradition, especially the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. The course addresses the Church as sacrament and mystery, the marks of the Church and ecumenism, the concept and meaning of the People of God, and the relationship between the laity and the ordained ministry. The course includes a special focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary as a type of the Church. Prerequisite: DVDT 501 or permission of instructor.
This course explores the origin, nature, and mission of the Church as revealed in Scripture and Tradition. The course examines the Church as mystery, People of God, Body of Christ, and sacrament. It also addresses the marks of the Church, ecumenism, the magisterium, and the relationship between the laity and the ordained ministry. Special attention is given to the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council with a focus on the conciliar texts. Questions of Church unity and diversity, inculturation, and development of doctrine are examined.
Presents a Christian understanding of God based on Scripture and the historical tradition, with attention given to questions of interpretation. This course emphasizes careful reading of key magisterial texts, their implications for the development of Christology and Trinitarian theology, and contemporary questions and issues.
This course examines the mystery of divine grace as the self-gift of God to the human person and the means by which fallen humanity is restored and elevated to friendship with God. It explores the nature of grace and its anthropological and ecclesiological effects. Among the fundamental questions considered are the relationship between grace and human freedom, the notion of merit, and the Catholic understanding of predestination.
Consideration is given to the nature, attributes, and activity of God; as well as the natural knowledge of God and language about God. The course also considers how the understanding of God shapes the Christian life.