YSD-Systematic Doctrine

Readings in Medieval Theology explores significant readings from this Era, emphasizing the compatibility of faith and reason; authors include Anselm, Abelard, Aquinas, Catherine of Siena and Bonaventure. Students explore questions of redemption, the sacraments, and whether we can know God. Course complements other doctrinal classes by introducing primary texts influential in Church thought and teaching, including the documents of Vatican II.

Course reviews and explores the Catholic Church’s teaching on Revelation, reason, faith, the doctrine of God, and the Church’s understanding of Scripture (inspiration, canonicity, inerrancy, and exegesis) and Tradition, its reception in faith and expression in doctrine. Theological enterprise, the method and tasks of theology, the teaching office of the Church, and other foundational elements are discussed.

Course offers a study of the lives and works of Greek and Latin writers of Christian antiquity from St. Clement to St. Gregory the Great. Emphasis will be placed upon their contribution to the development of Christian doctrine and life in the formative centuries of the Catholic Church.

An investigation of the Church's Marian doctrine revealed in Sacred Scriture and Tradition, taught by the authoritative Magisterium, given expression by the sense of the faithful, and treated in ecumenical dialogue. To study those diverse cultic expressions which in the context of the Church's fauth are inspired not primarily by the Sacred Liturgy but by forms deriving from a particular culture of form of popular devotion.

This course explores the revelation of God in Israel and in Christ, the formation of the Church’s doctrinal and theological tradition, the relationship between revealed and philosophical knowledge of God, and theological approaches to the mystery of the Triune God and the missions of the Incarnate Word and the Holy Spirit. Prerequisite: Revelation and Faith

This course explores the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture and received in the Church, the formation of the Church’s doctrinal and theological tradition, the questions raised by contemporary methods of biblical study, and theological approaches to the mystery of Christ’s person and his place in the economy of salvation. Prerequisite: Revelation and Faith.

Course offers a study of the lives and works of Greek and Latin writers of Christian antiquity from St. Clement to St. Gregory the Great. Emphasis will be placed upon their contribution to the development of Christian doctrine and life in the formative centuries of the Catholic Church.

Theological Anthropology examines the Christian understanding of the human person before God by reflecting on the doctrines of creation, sin, grace, liberation and hope. This course will provide a study of the human person in the light of Christian revelation as created in the image of God, fallen through original sin and restored in Christ through grace. The course will offer a systematic discussion of grace, justification, good works and merit in the history of theology with an orientation to contemporary ecumenical dialogue.

This course examines historical and theological background to Vatican Council II. Analysis of council documents emphasizing points of continuity and development with church teaching and the reception of the council's teaching in the post-conciliar church.

This course will explore the God of Judeo-Christian revelation and of the economic and immanent Trinity. The development of Trinitarian theology is considered as well as emerging contemporary models. Particular attention is given to the heresies and the counter-orthodox doctrines as well as the teaching of the Trinity in the writings of the Fathers and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Readings in Modern Theology explores post-18th century Catholic theology considering modern and post-modern philosophical and theological debates. Analysis of the writings of specific theologians who have been influential in Vatican Councils I and II will be explored along with post-conciliar theological discussions, those generated by the Holy See and other Catholic theologians.

This course explores the mystery of the Church as prefigured in Israel and constituted in the ministry of Christ, the historical development of the Church’s order and self-understanding, the ecclesiological doctrine of Vatican II, ecumenism and the quest for full Christian unity, the mission of the Church in the contemporary world, and the significance of Mary as symbol, mother, and model of the Church. Prerequisite: Revelation and Faith.

Readings in Medieval Theology explores significant readings from this Era, emphasizing the compatibility of faith and reason; authors include Anselm, Abelard, Aquinas, Catherine of Siena and Bonaventure. Students explore questions of redemption, the sacraments, and whether we can know God. Course complements other doctrinal classes by introducing primary texts influential in Church thought and teaching, including the documents of Vatican II.

This course focuses on the Biblical concept of the Holy Spirit and its consequent doctrinal development within the Catholic Church. Particularly considered are the heresies, the counter-doctrinal statements of the Magisterium, the writings of the Fathers and in particular the consideration of the Holy Spirit in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Likewise considered is the development of the pneumatological doctrine over the centuries with a particular emphasis on modern concepts.

Readings in Modern Theology explores post-18th century Catholic theology considering modern and post-modern philosophical and theological debates. Analysis of the writings of specific theologians who have been influential in Vatican Councils I and II will be explored along with post-conciliar theological discussions, those generated by the Holy See and other Catholic theologians.

This course explores the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture and received in the Church, the formation of the Church’s doctrinal and theological tradition, the questions raised by contemporary methods of biblical study, and theological approaches to the mystery of Christ’s person and his place in the economy of salvation.

This course explores the mystery of the Church as prefigured in Israel and constituted in the ministry of Christ, the historical development of the Church’s order and self-understanding, the ecclesiological doctrine of Vatican II, ecumenism and the quest for full Christian unity, the mission of the Church in the contemporary world, and the significance of Mary as symbol, mother, and model of the Church. Prerequisite: Revelation and Faith.

Mariology is an investigation of the Church's Marian doctrine with discussion of the elements furnished by Sacred Scripture and Tradition regarding the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and the Mother of the Church. A study of Mary's cooperation in the establishment of the Covenant; the truth of her perpetual virginity as inseparable from her divine motherhood; her collaboration in the order of grace; her Immaculate Conception and Assumption; and her place in ecumenical dialogue. Also to be considered are other pious traditions and their relationship to the ecclesial community.

This course description would pertain to Systematic Theology and be tailored toward the topic needed when assigned.

The first part of Mary & Popular Piety is an investigation of the Church's Marian doctrine in an attempt at synthesis founded on the analysis of the elements furnished by the Sacred Scripture and Tradition regarding the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. A study of Mary's cooperation in the establishment of the Covenant; the truth of her perpetual virginity as inseparable from her divine motherhood; her collaboration in the order of grace; her Immaculate Conception and Assumption; and her place in ecumenical dialogue/ The second part of Mary and Popular Piety is designed to study the principles and guidelines for the celebration and evaluation of the various devotions and rituals which make up the popular piety of the many peoples of the Church and how these ritual celebrations harmonize with the liturgy of the Church. Basing our study on the principles and guidelines found in the Directory of Popular Piety and the Liturgy from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciples of the Sacraments, we will critique the rituals and devotions commonly found today, especially Marian devotion and Eucharistic Devotion.