Theology

Department Chair: Dr. Charles Sommer, sommerc@stthom.edu

The major in theology seeks to instill competency in major topics in the study of Catholicism and in the methods of investigation and research appropriate to the discipline of theology.

Theology plays a particularly important role in the synthesis of knowledge as well as in the dialogue between faith and reason. The study of theology, as part of a liberal arts education, aids the University community in its “constant effort to determine the relative place and meaning of each of the various disciplines within the context of the human person and the world that is enlightened by the Gospel,” and thus in preserving “the sense of the transcendence of the human person over the world and of God over the human person.” (John Paul II, Ex corde Ecclesiae, 16, 19).

Students who successfully complete the major program will be able to: read and use scripture in accordance with theological methods; interpret documents in Church history according to their historical and theological contexts; and assess, from within the ecclesial tradition, arguments in systematic and moral theology. Fulfillment of these objectives will be determined by means of an exit examination.

The school also offers a five–year BA/MA Combined degree in Theology which enables high–achieving undergraduate students to earn both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a streamlined program combining undergraduate and graduate studies. The BA/MA requires 120 undergraduate credit hours and 30 graduate credit hours of study and allows students to take undergraduate and graduate courses concurrently during the senior year. The BA and MA degrees will be conferred only after the BA/MA student completes the 120 undergraduate credit hours and 30 graduate credit hours of study successfully. The undergraduate hours for the Theology coursework are reduced to 36 hours from 42 hours. The chair of the Theology major will advise the student on which courses to take.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

THEO 1301: Intro to the Sacred Scriptures

Introduction to contemporary biblical studies, including: 1) the Catholic approach to scripture in light of Dei Verbum (e.g., inspiration, revelation, canon, hermeneutical principles and methods of critical analysis, relationships of Old and New Testaments); 2) a survey of the Old Testament in its historical setting, with emphasis on major themes (e.g., covenant, exile, Davidic dynasty, wisdom literature, and messianic prophecies); and 3) a survey of the New Testament in its historical setting (e.g., Christianity’s Jewish and Hellenistic roots, gospel formation, the gospels, Acts, letters, Revelation). NOTE: Students who transfer with 60 or more credit hours and who have successfully completed THEO 1300 or 3300 may enroll in THEO 3310, completing junior–level requirements and receiving upper–division credit. Fall, Spring.

THEO 2314: Theological Methods

An introduction to theology as a science, including its principles, sources, and methods, and an exploration of the parts of theology and how they cohere. Topics will include the skills and virtues necessary to the practice of theology; revelation and its witnesses in Sacred Scripture and Tradition; faith and its preambles; dogma and doctrine; development of doctrine; Magisterium; faith and reason; and the motives of credibility.

THEO 3301: Intro to the Sacred Scriptures

Introduction to contemporary biblical studies, including: 1) the Catholic approach to scripture in light of Dei Verbum (e.g., inspiration, revelation, canon, hermeneutical principles and methods of critical analysis, relationships of Old and New Testaments); 2) a survey of the Old Testament in its historical setting, with emphasis on major themes (e.g., covenant, exile, Davidic dynasty, wisdom literature, and messianic prophecies); and 3) a survey of the New Testament in its historical setting (e.g., Christianity’s Jewish and Hellenistic roots, gospel formation, the gospels, Acts, letters, Revelation). NOTE: Students who transfer with 60 or more credit hours and who have successfully completed THEO 1300 or 3300 may enroll in THEO 3310, completing junior–level requirements and receiving upper–division credit. Fall, Spring.

THEO 3322: Theology of Creation

Study of the nature of creation and the unique place of the human person in creation according to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (in contrast to notions of “creationism” that thrive in certain branches of theology). Sources read may include Sacred Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Benedict of Nursia, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. Special attention will be paid to how Catholic teachings can inform environmental issues and enlighten the aims and practices of environmental stewardship.

THEO 3332: Theology of the Sacraments

Study of the sacramental principle: relationship of the sacraments to Christ and the Church; and biblical, historical and doctrinal introduction to the seven sacraments, with special emphasis on their role in Christian life.

THEO 3333: Theology of Worship

Worship, ritual and the human condition; Christian worship and the history of salvation; spiritual worship and liturgical action: objective and subjective aspects; play and festivity; sacred actions, times, and places; liturgy and holiness.

THEO 3336: Christian Spirituality

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, illustrated by reading selected texts from the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church.

THEO 3339: Christ the Savior

Basic themes concerned with the person and work of Jesus Christ as they emerge in scripture and tradition; emphasis on Jesus’ public ministry, the paschal mystery, and the Christology of both the early and contemporary Church; modern problems regarding the meaning of salvation.

THEO 3345: Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas

Introduction to the theological method and major contributions of St. Thomas. Each semester will concentrate on one of the following topics: God–Trinity, creation, the Holy Spirit, grace, the moral life, etc.

THEO 3349: Christ and the Moral Life

A study of fundamental Catholic teachings on the moral life, founded upon the truth that the power to live the moral life flows from Christ and the divinizing power of his grace, particularly in the sacraments. Course content includes the beatitudes, freedom, the morality of human acts and passions, moral conscience, the theological virtues, sin, social justice, and the Ten Commandments.

THEO 3351: Prophets of Ancient Israel

Prophecy in the Old Testament in its historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the prophets; current interpretations of the prophetic books.

THEO 3353: Pentateuch

The Torah in its historical and religious contexts; the development of pentateuchal criticism; critical methods of studying the Pentateuch; theologies of the different traditions and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

THEO 3354: Synoptic Gospels

The synoptic gospels in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying these gospels and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

THEO 3355: Book of Psalms

Contemporary exegetical approaches to Psalms, including the genre of “psalm” with a comparison to similar literature from the ancient Near East; types of psalms; relation of the Psalter to temple and synagogue worship; interpretations of individual psalms.

THEO 3356: Theological Anthropology

Studies the Christian vision of man under the light of divine revelation; his creation in God's image and likeness, his ultimate end, and his spiritual and material faculties. Reading focus on the development of Christian anthropology in its historical context, both ancient and modern, as well as the anthropological foundations of moral action, ascetical praxis, and sacramental discipline. Primary source readings will typically be chosen from scripture, the fathers, and recent Magisterium, including documents of the Second Vatican Council, with an eye to comparison and contrast between Christian anthropology and modern and post-modern views of the human person. Key topics may include deification, personhood, freedom, the mind, passions, relationality, or sexuality.

THEO 3359: Theology and the Liberal Arts

Introduction to the tradition of Catholic reflection on liberal education. The course considers the nature of the liberal arts, the relationship between theology and the other disciplines from a theological point of view, the question of the unity of knowledge, and the spirituality proper to the life of learning.

THEO 3365: Gospel and Letters of John

The fourth gospel and the epistles of John; critical methods of Johannine study; current status of Johannine scholarship; theological messages of the gospel and epistles.

THEO 4321: Catholic Epistles

This course is designed to explore the historical and religious contexts of the Christian communities at the end of the first century as reflected Hebrews and in the Catholic Epistles: James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, and the three Johannine letters. Topics include: narrative characteristic of the Greek text, the problem of the authorship, internal and external problems of the Proto-Christian communities, literary analysis of selected periscopes and theological developments manifested in the texts.

THEO 4324: Christian Ethics and the Law

A theological examination of ethical issues relating to the making and application of the law: e.g., the concept of justice; legal positivism and the relation of civil and criminal law to ethics and the legitimacy of the adversary system; obligations relating to confidentiality, equal access to legal services, punishment and sentencing, contracts; the practice of law as a Christian calling.

THEO 4334: Social Justice and the Church

Catholic teaching on social, political and economic issues: freedom; law; conscience; marriage and family; political authority; just war and nuclear arms; human dignity and rights; work; private property and social justice.

THEO 4336: American Catholic Heritage

Survey from the Native Americans through the present in the shaping of American Catholicism; theological and ecumenical dimensions; contributions of the Catholic Church to the American scene emphasized.

THEO 4347: Fathers of the Church

Lives and thoughts of the great saints and scholars of the first millennium who shaped the Church’s teaching and life. Reading their works is essential to the course. Among those to be discussed are the Desert Fathers, Origen, Basil, Ambrose and Augustine.

THEO 4348: Theology of the Body

Introduction to the writings of John Paul II on the sacramental nature of creation, and in particular, the human body, male and female. Marriage as sacrament of the Communion of Persons in the Trinity. The ethics of human sexuality as integral to the responsible relationship between persons and the theology of the total, reciprocal gift of persons.

THEO 4351: Wisdom in Israel

Introduction to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Qoheleth, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Sirach.

THEO 4360: John Henry Newman

A study of the thought and influence of John Henry Newman through a selection of his writings, including The Idea of a University.

THEO 4367: Mariology

Mary’s role in the salvation of humanity. Mary in scripture and in the tradition of the Church. The teaching of the contemporary magisterium: Pius XII, Vatican II, Paul VI, John Paul II. Mary in contemporary theology.

THEO 4368: Book of Revelation

Origin and development of apocalyptic literature in the Old Testament and the intertestamental period; formation, structure and style of the Book of Revelation; redactional and literary analysis of the text to define its theology and the situation which produced it.

THEO 4390: Triune God

Theology engages the mind and heart as a work of "faith seeking understanding." This course examines the Christian doctrine on God as one and trinitarian. It will explore the biblical/theological foundations, historical development, and contemporary approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity, with attention to the development of doctrine and how Trinitarian faith impacts the life, prayer and liturgy of Catholic Christians.

THEO 5339: Christ the Savior

Basic themes concerned with the person and work of Jesus Christ as they emerge in scripture and tradition; emphasis on Jesus' public ministry, the paschal mystery, and the Christology of both the early and contemporary Church; modern problems regarding the meaning of salvation.

THEO 5349: Christ and the Moral Life

A study of fundamental Catholic teachings on the moral life, founded upon the truth that the power to live the moral life flows from Christ and the divinizing power of his grace, particularly in the sacraments. Course content includes the beatitudes, freedom, the morality of human acts and passions, moral conscience, the theological virtues, sin, social justice, and the Ten Commandments.

THEO 5351: Prophets of Ancient Israel

Prophecy in the Old Testament in its historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the prophets; current interpretations of the prophetic books.

THEO 5353: Pentateuch

The Torah in its historical and religious contexts; the development of pentateuchal criticism; critical methods of studying the Pentateuch; theologies of the different traditions and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

THEO 5354: Synoptic Gospels

The synoptic gospels in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying these gospels and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

THEO 5355: Book of Psalms

Contemporary exegetical approaches to Psalms, including the genre of “psalm” with a comparison to similar literature from the ancient Near East; types of psalms; relation of the Psalter to temple and synagogue worship; interpretations of individual psalms.

THEO 5360: Vatican II

A theological exploration of the documents of Vatican II and related documents of the magisterium, their theological and historical context, and the grounding in Scripture and Tradition. Special attention is given to ressourcement and aggiornamento and to the "hermeneutics of reform" and "hermeneutics of continuity" as contrasted with a "hermeneutic of rapture."

THEO 5361: Biblical Exegesis

This class studies the interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures, including the contribution from the Patristic and Medieval period as well as from modern Biblical scholarship. Special attention will be paid to the tensions between modern Biblical scholarship and the Patristic and medieval tradition of interpreting the Bible, as well as to the areas in which the two traditions might enrich each other. The course attends to the philosophic and theological questions inextricable from Biblical exegesis.

THEO 5362: Theology of Grace

This course undertakes to examine the theological, historical, and dogmatic aspects of the doctrine of Grade in the Catholic tradition, and emphasis will be placed on central thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas as well as certain important modern controversies.

THEO 5365: Gospel and Letters of John

The fourth gospel and the epistles of John; critical methods of Johannine study; current status of Johannine scholarship; theological messages of the gospel and epistles.

THEO 5367: MA Thesis Direction

Masters students will work with a thesis director to select a topic and write a thesis proving mastery of the subject matter.

THEO 5375: Patristics I

This course offers close readings of influential works from some of the most important Eastern Church Fathers for the development of the Catholic Theological and dogmatic traditions. The course is usually taught with a unified theological theme in mind.

THEO 5376: Patristics II

This course undertakes an examination of the life and thought of St. Augustine and includes a close reading of some of his most influential works.

THEO 5377: Medieval Theology I

This course undertakes a reading of important theological selections from the Early Scholastic period, ranging from Anselm, Abelard, the Victorines and Bonaventure.

THEO 5378: Medieval Theology II

This course undertakes a reading of selections from Thomas Aquinas (and other Dominicans such as Albert the Great and Catherine of Siena) for the development of the Catholic theological and dogmatic traditions.

THEO 5382: The Triune God

Theology engages the mind and heart as a work of "faith seeking understanding." This course examines the Christian doctrine on God as one and trinitarian. It will explore the biblical/theological foundations, historical development, and contemporary approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity, with attention to the development of doctrine and how Trinitarian faith impacts the life, prayer and liturgy of Catholic Christians.

THEO 5383: Modern Theology I

This course examines the history and theology of the Catholic Church from 1860-1960, including Vatican I, Aeterni Patris and the Thomistic revival, the Modernist Crisis, and the nouvelle théologie.

THEO 5384: Modern Theology II

A theological exploration of the documents of Vatican II and related documents of the magisterium, their theological and historical context, and the grounding in Scripture and Tradition. Special attention is given to ressourcement and aggiornamento and to the "hermeneutics of reform" and "hermeneutics of continuity" as contrasted with a "hermeneutic of rapture."

THEO 6321: Catholic Epistles

This course is designed to explore the historical and religious contexts of the Christian communities at the end of the first century as reflected Hebrews and in the Catholic Epistles: James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, and the three Johannine letters. Topics include: narrative characteristic of the Greek text, the problem of the authorship, internal and external problems of the Proto-Christian communities, literary analysis of selected periscopes and theological developments manifested in the texts.

THEO 6324: Christian Ethics and the Law

A theological examination of ethical issues relating to the making and application of the law: e.g., the concept of justice; legal positivism and the relation of civil and criminal law to ethics and the legitimacy of the adversary system; obligations relating to confidentiality, equal access to legal services, punishment and sentencing, contracts; the practice of law as a Christian calling.

THEO 6325: Faith and Moral Development

An examination of the stages, processes and methods of Christian moral development. Topics include: how ethical norms are known; relation of faith to ethics; the concept of habit and the development of theological and moral virtues; the effect of culture on morals; the role of myth, symbol and identification in moral development; academic subjects and moral development.

THEO 6334: Social Justice and the Church

Catholic teaching on social, political and economic issues: freedom; law; conscience; marriage and family; political authority; just war and nuclear arms; human dignity and rights; work; private property and social justice.

THEO 6339: Celtic Spirituality

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of selected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition.

THEO 6351: Wisdom in Israel

Introduction to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Qoheleth, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Sirach.

THEO 6360: John Henry Newman

A study of the thought and influence of John Henry Newman through a selection of his writings, including The Idea of a University.

THEO 6367: Mariology

Mary’s role in the salvation of humanity. Mary in scripture and in the tradition of the Church. The teaching of the contemporary magisterium: Pius XII, Vatican II, Paul VI, John Paul II. Mary in contemporary theology.

THEO 6368: Book of Revelation

Origin and development of apocalyptic literature in the Old Testament and the intertestamental period; formation, structure and style of the Book of Revelation; redactional and literary analysis of the text to define its theology and the situation which produced it.

THEO 6374: Modern Challenges to Christianity

The impact of the 19th and early 20th century scientific, economic, philosophical and psychological critiques of Christianity; emphasis on method for analyzing theological responses to these and other contemporary challenges.