Doing Theology: Engaging with the Catholic Theological Tradition (CT9013C)

Content

This unit will engage with the meaning and significance of central theological themes within the context of a secularising and pluralistic culture. Themes will include: the nature and task of theology; the mystery of God as Trinity; the ministry and mission of Jesus of Nazareth; Revelation, Faith, Tradition and Reason; the Christian understanding of the human person and our destiny; historical and theological understanding of the Church, with particular emphasis on developments in the Church’s self-understanding during the Second Vatican Council through to today. These topics will be explored within the comprehensive worldview of creation and salvation upheld by the Catholic tradition.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

An elective unit for the MEdTheol

Pedagogy

Option A: Learners will engage with weekly lecture input, directed reading activities, facilitated peer discussions, electronic resources, and formative feedback to achieve the learning outcomes. Option B: Learners will engage in intensive mode with lecture input, directed reading activities, facilitated peer discussion, electronic resources and formative feedback, to achieve the learning outcomes. Option C: Learners will engage in mixed-mode learning through 36 engagement hours (24 hours on-campus mode plus 12 hours online mode), directed reading activities, personal study through electronic resources and assessment tasks, to achieve the learning outcomes.

Indicative Bibliography

• Bevans, Stephen. An Introduction to Theology in Global Perspective. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2009.
• Francis. A Church of Mercy: My Vision for the Church. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2014.
• Hession, Anne, and Patricia Kieran. Exploring Theology: Making Sense of the Catholic Tradition. Dublin: Veritas, 2007.
• International Theological Commission. Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria. Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2012.
• Johnson, Elizabeth A. Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2018.
• Lane, Dermot A. The Experience of God: An Invitation to do Theology. Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2003.
• Lennan, R., ed. *An Introduction to Catholic Theology. New York: Paulist Press, 1998.
• O'Collins, Gerald. Jesus our Redeemer: A Christian Approach to Salvation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2007.
• Rausch, Thomas P. Systematic Theology: A Roman Catholic Approach. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2016.
• Ross, Susan A. Anthropology: Seeking Light and Beauty. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2012.

Assessment