SUMMER MINI-SESSION 2003

 

THE 601: 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 Verbu, 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 603: Historical Foundations (Dr. Alan Schreck)

Certain key issues emerged in the main eras of history of Christianity and became focal points of attention for the Church's leaders and scholars for decades. In this question, I would like you to summarize the key figures, issues, and development of thought or doctrine involved in one of the two topics from each of the four major eras of Christianity. (Therefore, you should summarize four issues, one from each period below.)

  1. Patristic period (Christ - 800 A.D.) either:
    1. the doctrine of the Son of God in relation to the Father, and in the Union of His divine and human natures or
    2. the reasons for the persecution of Christians and the Christian response to persecution
  2. Medieval period (800 - 1500 A.D.) either:
    1. Church-State relations, especially the "lay investiture" crisis or
    2. movements of renewal in the Church in the early, middle, and late middle ages
  3. The Reformation and Counter-reformation (1500 - 1750 A.D.) either:
    1. the basic objections against Catholicism of the various Protestant reformers or
    2. the contribution of the various saints of the Catholic reformation to the reform and renewal of the Catholic Church
  4. The "Modern" era (1750 A.D. - present) either:
    1. impact of Enlightenment thought on Christianity or
    2. significant movements of renewal in the Church (Catholic and Protestant) in this era

THE 700: TP: Current Health Care and Ethics in Human Life (Prof. Brian Scarnecchia, Dr. Edward Bessler, Dr. Lester Haddad)

Describe the surface, philosophical and theological contrasts between the culture of life and the culture of death in the Gospel of Life and its relevance to life issues and health care ethics.

-OR-

Describe the family's mission in building up the Church and society as presented in Familiaris Consortio and its relevance in countering the influence of a culture of death in health care ethics.

THE 722: TP: Apostolic Fathers (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Be prepared to discuss any one of the three author's works of the examiner's choosing from the following list. In other words, the examiner chooses three (3) works and you select one (1) of these three (3). Your discussion must include matters of provenance (authorship, date, locale, audience, and historical situation), literary genre, and at least one major theme/motif, problem or issue (pastoral/theological) of the selected work.

  

  1. 1 Clement
  2. 2 or Pseudo-Clement
  3. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistles to:

    Ephesians

    Magnesians

    Tallians

    Romans

    Philadelphians

    Smyranens

    Polycarp

  4. Polycarp to the Philippians
  5. Martyrdom of Polycarp
  6. Didache
  7. Epistle of Barnabas
  8. Epistle to Diognetus
  9. Shepherd of Hermas

THE 730: Grace and the Virtues (Dr. Regis Martin)

  1. Trace the development of the Church's teaching on grace from St. Paul, through Augustine, to the councils of Orange and Trent.
  2. What has been the impact of that teaching in terms of understanding of virtue?

SUMMER I 2003

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

Answer both parts.

  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 form the "Extraordinary Synod" in 1985.

THE 655: Mary in the Modern World (Dr. Regis Martin)

Mary constitutes the pedagogy which the world needs if it is to recover the Gospel message in its fullness. Discuss this proposition in the light of the six reasons cited in class which underscore the continuing importance of Mary in the scheme of Salvation and in the life of the Church. (In other words, using Ratzinger's phrase concerning "the equilibrium and completeness of Catholic faith," how does an authentic Mariology contribute to this necessary integration?)

THE 711/414: NTW: Epistle to the Romans (Dr. Gregory Vall)

Describe in some detail the structure of Romans 1-8, explaining how St. Paul unfolds the presentation of his "gospel" step by step in these chapters.

THE 722: Fathers and Doctors of the Church: St. Bonaventure (Dr. John White)

Describe generally how St. Bonaventure's mystical theology, dogmatic theology and philosophy can be interpreted as"Christocentric." Be sure to include at least the following in your answer: some discussion of (1) the significance of St. Francis for Bonaventure's thought; (2) the sense in which Bonaventure understands the Logos as the center of the Trinity, the Center of Creation and the Center of Redemption; (3) the way in which Christ is the Center of history.

THE 780: Scripture, the Heart of Catechesis (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

Discuss the significance and content of the forty days from Easter to the Ascension in terms of Christ's relationship with and formation of the Apostles, being sure to substantiate this with Scripture citations.

SUMMER II 2003

THE 602: Theological Foundations (Dr. Regis Martin)

In his summary of the basic and abiding content of the Christian belief, Joseph Ratzinger provides "a few graspable statements," pursuant to what being a Christian really means (i.e., his "Excursus: Christian Structures," from Introduction to Christianity). Seven (7) propositions follow in which the nub of a man's faith in Christianity crystallize. What are they and why is it necessary to present them in the way that he has?

THE 650: Christian Liturgy (Fr. Giles Dimock, OP)

(CHOOSE 1)

  1. Trace the development of the Eucharistic Prayer and celebration from their Jewish roots to St. Hippolytus and the Liturgy of the Word from the synagogue to St. Justin, and relate this to the current order of Mass.
  2. Contrast Patristic and Medieval celebrations of the Eucharist, and show how the Reformation and Counter Reformation reactions grew out of this historical background.

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

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 740: TI: Tradition and the Development of Doctrine (Fr. Dan Pattee, TOR)

According to Fr. Yves Congar, OP, the unity of Scripture, Tradition, and the Church, widely affirmed by the Fathers and medieval theologians, effectively excludes the possibility of Luther's doctrine, sola scriptura. What is the doctrine of sola scriptura and how does the unity of Scripture, Tradition, and the Church rule out the possibility of this doctrine being an authentic unfolding of the deposit of faith?

SUMMER III 2003

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 692: Catechetical Methods II (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM)

  1. Discuss Truth, Beauty, and Goodness as applied in a comprehensive use of the Ecclesial Method. Answer must include specific references to art, music, and literature. Appropriate citations of magisterial documents must be made, as well as references to the work of Saward and Viladesau.
  2. Discuss inculturation in a catechetical framework. You must include a discussion of how 1 John 1 and the Liturgy make a Catholic world view possible both in the catechist and in those being catechized. Cite all pertinent magisterial documents used in class.

THE 732: Sacraments (Dr. Regis Martin)

Define and elaborate upon the three massive, systemic, and historic assaults made against the Church, particularly in the institutional and sacramental life.

THE 740: TI: Spiritual Theology (Rev. Frederick L. Miller, STD)

Please explain how each of the following realities relate to supernatural charity:

1. Justification

2. Sanctifying Grace

3. Actual Grace

4. Faith

5. Hope

6. The Supernatural Moral Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude

7. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

8. The Sevenfold Gift of the Holy Spirit

9. The Charisms of the Holy Spirit

AND

10. Define "Spiritual Theology"

 

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