Theology

THE CATHOLIC FAITH (FRESHMEN)

This course “levels the playing field” for all incoming freshmen, no matter their background, as it introduces students to the Catholic Christian Faith. The course touches on the core beliefs of the Catholic Faith (CREED), how the Catholic Church celebrates those beliefs (LITURGY AND SACRAMENTS), how one tries to live those beliefs faithfully each day (MORALITY), and how one tries to sustain and deepen those beliefs through prayer (PRAYER). Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer are the four pillars of the Catholic Faith, and they form the foundation upon which the course builds. Additionally, there is an Augustinian component to the course, centering on the life of our patron, St. Augustine. The Catholic Faith course is a springboard into Sacred Scripture, The Moral and Sacramental Life, and Religious Perspectives.

SACRED SCRIPTURE (SOPHOMORES)

This yearlong course consists of two one semester presentations: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament portion of the course introduces students to Sacred Scripture in general. Its particular focus is the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures. Students examine salvation history beginning with Genesis and continuing through the Prophets. It is designed to enable students to see Scripture as the living Word of God, applicable to their lives today. The New Testament portion investigates the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. Its particular focus is on the life of Jesus, as reflected in the Gospels and the Writings of St. Paul. It centers on the message of Jesus and the way in which the early Christian communities incorporated this message into the very fiber of their lives. There is an Augustinian component to this course. Each student is encouraged to become a living witness of the Gospel message in the world today.

HONORS SACRED SCRIPTURE (SOPHOMORES)

• Prerequisite: an average of 93 or higher in The Catholic Faith

• Humanities Division Chair & Theology Department Faculty Approval

Over a span of two semesters, students come to understand the role of Scriptures in the life and teachings of the Church and how the tale of Salvation history culminates in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. An investigative study of the bible and Church documents reveals more advanced theological concepts of the nature of Jesus and the Person of Christ and one’s personal relationship with Him. Throughout the course, students grow in their empathy for others via a close encounter with biblical criticism on various theological topics which are drawn from biblical themes and lived in the life of the Church.