THE 601A & B: Biblical Foundations (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Study all three (3) questions. The proctor will choose one for you to answer at the examination.

  1. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (Profidentissimus Deus, Divino Afflante Spiritu, Dei Verbum, Historicity of the Gospels, and Mysterium Ecclesiae), the NCCB's Pastoral Statement for Catholics on Biblical Fundamentalism, class lecture, and the articles by Frein and Lindbeck, address and answer the following questions. What place and role does Scripture occupy within the Church with respect to the mediation of God's word. How does this view of Scripture, as the privileged instrument of God's word, rest on certain fundamentals, yet, at the same time, resist and contradict fundamentalism?
  2. Reflecting on the article by Ratzinger, the excerpts from Colin's Enlightenment and Alienation, Hayes & Holloday's Biblical Exegesis, and class lecture, write a response to the two articles by R. Brown addressing the key issue of the effect of Enlightenment thinking on modern exegesis and theological reflection and a remedy to this affect.
  3. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (see question #1), the two articles by de la Potterie, the articles by S. M. and F. Martin, and class lecture, write an essay that discusses the meaning and interrelation of the senses of Scripture.

THE 604A & B: Teachings of Vatican II (Dr. Alan Schreck)

Study and answer both questions: 

  1. Discuss how each of the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council express both continuity with past Catholic teaching and new approaches that present Catholic doctrine in light of the present situation and understanding of modern people; and

     

  2. How would you evaluate both the successes and shortcomings of the implementation of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Church from the close of the Council in 1965 to the present? Include in your answer the evaluation of the Catholic bishops from the "Extraordinary synod" in 1985.

THE 610: Theology and Ministry of the Word (Dr. Scott Hahn)

 Part I &endash; Theology of the Word

Briefly discuss how God's Word is revealed in Scripture and Tradition, and then taught by the Magisterium; what is the role of the Holy Spirit? How does the nature of biblical inspiration and the Church's sacramental liturgy affect and shape biblical interpretation? What is the meaning and relevance of economy, pedagogy, typology, and spiritual exegesis?

Part II &endash; Ministry of the Word

Briefly discuss the basic principles of a Catholic biblical worldview. How does such an integral vision of divine grace and human nature contribute to: 1) the "new evangelization," 2) the "inculturation" of gospel values, and 3)"civilization of love"? Finally, briefly discuss the basic principles of a Catholic approach to evangelizing and catechizing.

THE 641: Catechetics: Content & Curriculum (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

In light of the General Directory of Catechesis and Catechesi Tradendae, discuss the content of the catechesis regarding the maintenance of its integrity, the hierarchy of truths, and the need for a systematic presentation of it.

THE 655: Mary in the Modern World (Dr. Mark Miravalle)

Answer both parts:

  1. Offer a competent theological definition of the Mariological terms: "Co-Redemptrix" and "Mediatrix of all Graces" with support from Divine Revelation, and
  2. Summarize the treatment of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her "maternal mediation" as contained in Pope John Paul II's Marian Encyclical, Redemptoris Mater.

THE 660A: PI: Catholic Poetry & Creative Imagination (Dr. Regis Martin)

Comment at length on the following passage from Flannery O'Connor, including examples drawn from the body of work --- poetry, short-stories, novels, plays --- that was read and discussed in class: "Fiction writing is very seldom a matter of saying things; it is a matter of showing things…A story that is any good can't be reduced, it can only be expanded. A story is good when you continue to see more and more in it, and when it continues to escape you. In fiction two and two is always more than four…There are two qualities that make fiction. One is the sense of mystery and the other is the sense of manners. You get the manners from the texture of existence that surrounds you…It is the business of fiction to embody mystery through manners, and mystery is a great embarrassment to the modern mind…"

THE 660B: PI: Catechetical Saints: Content & Methodology (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch)

Answer both:

  1. Discuss the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph as "catechetical" saints, supported by material from Redemptoris Mater and Redemptoris Custos.
  2. Discuss the elements necessary for a saint to be noted as a "Catechetical Saint". You must cite catechetical documents of the Church and then illustrate these characteristics in the life of one specific catechetical saint.

THE 660C: PI: Readings in Franciscan Mystics (Fr. Conrad Harkins, OFM)

A mystic is one who is alleged to have received through extraordinary grace a supernatural experience of God in prayer, sometimes accompanied by ecstasies, visions, levitation, stigmata or other external signs. Since the thirteenth century, some Franciscans have been counted among the mystics themselves, or have encouraged others to mystical prayer through their writings. Discuss fully the mysticism of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bonaventure, and one other Franciscan mystic or mystical writer indicating points of similarity and difference.

THE 691: Catechetical Methods I (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, OSF)

In Catechesi Tradendae #20, Pope John Paul II states the aim of catechesis. Authentic catechetical methodology must reflect that aim, while keeping in mind the faith, spiritual, and moral development of those to be catechized, as well as their age, intellectual/physical ability, and their social condition. A) Explain this premise, supporting your explanation with statements from the catechetical magisterial documents and required reading for this course. B) Explain how the Ecclesial Method defined by Msgr. Francis Kelly and St. John Bosco's Preventative Method of Reason, Religion and Kindness keeps the catechist faithful to the mind of the Church regarding Catechetical Methodology.

THE 693N: The Catechumenate in the RCIA (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

Discuss the similarities and any divergencies between the fourth century catechumenates and the present-day Order of Christian Initiation.

THE 710: OTW: The Book of Psalms (Dr. Gregory Vall)

How can the Psalter be both Israel's prayer and the Church's prayer? Illustrate with specific examples. Explain how Methods A, B, and C deal with this question.

THE 732: Sacraments (Prof. Michael Sirilla)

Answer all three:

  1. Give the definition of sacrament.
  2. Select three sacraments and specify:
    1. their institution by Christ (i.e., their scriptural basis)
    2. their matter (remote and proximate) and form (the sacramentum tantum)
    3. their ordinary and extraordinary (if applicable) minister
    4. their intermediate effect (the res et sacramentum)
    5. their ultimate effect (the res tantum - the sacramental grace)
    6. the required disposition of their recipients
  3. Mention St. Thomas Aquinas' dominant metaphor for the sacraments, briefly mentioning how each sacrament fits into his analogy.

THE 740A: TI: Women in Christian Tradition (Prof. Patricia Donohue-White)

Answers are to be in essay form and should clearly illustrate a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant readings and lectures from the course as well as an ability to think clearly, critically and creatively about the subject matter.

Answer two of the following:

  1. Women in the New Testament (Bible, and B. Thurston Women in the New Testament).
    • Describe in general terms the principles of interpretation we used to examine NT texts on women, explaining the limits of what can be derived from the texts about the actual lives of women.
    • Briefly outline the various types of women encountered in the texts (e.g. women disciples, women healed by Jesus, women in the parables, women in the early churches) and describe their relations to Jesus (Gospels) and their standing in the early churches (Acts, Pauline Epistles).
    • Examine in detail one of the following sets of texts: (a) the woman who anoints Jesus (Mark 14:3-9; Mt 26: 6-13; Lk 7:36-50; Jn 12:1-8), (b) Women in the passion narratives (Mark 15:40 &endash; 16:8; Mt 26:1 &endash; 28:10; Luke 23:49, 24:1-12; John 19:25 &endash; 27, 20: 1-18).

     

  2. Women in early Church hagiography (J. Peterson, Handmaids of the Lord, P. Brown The body and Society, E. Clark Women in the Early Church, and the various 'Vitae' in Course Pack)
    • Discuss in general terms the nature of these texts, analyzing the differences between what these texts tell us about the actual lives of women and what they tell us about cultural ideals of women and sanctity.
    • Analyze some of the key symbols and motifs we examined in these stories (e.g., biological and spiritual motherhood, 'manly women', 'the weak woman' topos, attitudes towards the body) and compare the ways these are treated in different texts (be sure to liberally illustrate your points with examples from the texts).
    • Analyze the ideal of virginity which motivated these women and the men who wrote about them, illustrating your analysis with examples from the texts.

     

  3. "Harlots of the Desert" (B. Ward Harlots of the Desert)
    • Analyze the theme of repentance as symbolized in the figure of Mary Magdalen and as understood by the desert ascetics.
    • Examine in detail one of the following stories, exploring the various symbols and motifs (e.g., body, gender, authority): Mary of Egypt, Pelagia, Maria the niece of Abraham.
    • Discuss what these texts can tell us about the actual lives of women and what they tell us about cultural ideals of women and sanctity.

     

  4. Voices of Medieval Women (C. Bynum Fragmentation and Redemption, Penguin Medieval Writings on Female Spirituality, and in Course pack B. McGinn The Flowering of Mysticism and B. Newman From Virile Woman to WomanChrist). 
    • Present in broad strokes elements of the cultural, Ecclesial, and theological context of the medieval period which made possible the emergence of women's voices in spiritual writings. Include a discussion of the various religious options open to women in this time, the ways in which women sought to establish an authoritative spiritual voice, and the complementary relations they established with men.
    • Examine in detail some of the key symbols and motifs which characterize women's spirituality as similar to and distinct from that of contemporary men (e.g., the use of body symbolism, the 'weak woman' topos, the affective character of the spirituality, the focus on the humanity of Jesus). Be sure to illustrate your discussion with examples from the readings.
    • Discuss various ways in which an understanding of the distinctive voices of Medieval women might enhance our understanding of spirituality at the beginning of the 21st century. Be sure to include a discussion of what you see as both negative and positive about Medieval women's sense of self and their understanding of relation to God.

THE 740B: TI: Foundations of Moral Theology (Prof. Kevin Miller)

 The proctor will choose two of the three questions - answer either one of the two:

  1. Explain Veritatis Splendor's understanding of the moral act, in comparison and contrast with proportionalism (include treatment of Wojtyla/John Paul's and proportionalists' respective interpretations of Thomas).
  2. Explain Veritatis Splendor's understanding of natural law in light of Wojtyla's earlier writings, and in comparison and contrast with Grisez's (include treatment of their respective interpretations of Thomas). Explain why it is necessary that moral theology go beyond natural-law reasoning.
  3. Explain Veritatis Splendor's defense of the possibility of mortal sin in comparison and contrast with proposed versions of fundamental-option theory.

THE 740C: TI: Catholic Theology of Tradition and Development of Doctrine (Fr. Dan Pattee, TOR)

Write an essay on the relationship between Tradition and what Yves Congar, OP calls its "monuments," and then answer the following question: how did Alfred Loisy conceive of this relationship and what were the weaknesses of his position?

THE 740D: TI: Introduction to Canon Law (Prof. Philip Gray)

 Identifying important elements from Sacred Scripture, the nature of man, and the influence of jurisprudence, theology, significant events from secular and ecclesiastical history, and the development of law itself, please thoroughly answer the question: What is Canon Law?

THE 740E: TI: Elementary Hebrew I (Dr. Gregory Vall)

Using the verb paqad, give the complete Qal paradigm for each of the following: perfect, imperfect, narrative tense, imperative, active principle, and passive participle. And using the verb kabed, give the complete Qal paradigm for each of the following: perfect and imperfect. Be sure to label all paradigms clearly.

 

 

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