MINI-SESSION 2005

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

Study all three questions. The Proctor will choose one for you to answer at the time of the examination.

  1. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (Providentissimus Deus, Divino Afflante Spiritu, Dei Verbum, Historicity of the Gospels, and Mysterium Ecclesiae), the NCCB's Pastoral Statement for Catholics on Biblical liundamentalism, class lecture, the article by Frein, the PBC's "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church," Joseph T. Lienhard's The Bible, The Church, and Authority, Chps 3, 5, 6, 7; Peter S. Williamson's Catholic Principles Parts I & III and Fitzmyer's Scripture, The Soul of Theology, pp. 56-62 & Chp. 4, answer the following questions. What place and role does Scripture occupy within the Church with respect to the communication 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 Fides et Ratio, Ratzinger's, article "Foundations and Approaches of Biblical Exegesis," the excerpts from Gunton's Enlightenment and Alienation; The PBC's "The Historicity of The Gospels" and "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church," Fitzmyer's Scripture, The Soul of Theology Chps 1-2; R. Brown's "The Contribution of Historical Biblical Criticisms to Ecumenical Church Discussions," and The Critical Meaning of the Bible: How a Modern Reading of the Bible Challenges Christians, the Church, and the Churches; Lienhard's The Bible, The Church, and Authority, Chp 1; Peter S. Williamson's Catholic Principles Parts II & V; and class lecture, write a response to R. Brown, addressing the key issue of the effect of Enlightenment thinking on modern exegesis and theological reflection and a remedy to this effect.


  3. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (see question #1), the articles by de la Potterie, S.M. Schneiders, and F. Martin, Fitzmyer's Scripture, The Soul of Theology, chp 3; Lienhard's The Bible, The Church, and Authority, Chps. 1, 2, 4; Peter S. Williamson's Catholic Principles Parts IV & VI; and class lecture, write an essay that discusses the meaning and interrelation of the senses of Scripture. How does this meaning and interrelation provide the foundation for an interpretative stance or hermeneutic.
THE 604: Teachings of Vatican II (Dr. Alan Schreck)

Answer both parts.

  1. 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. 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 660: PI: Nature of Love (Dr. Michael Healy)

Discuss the relation between love of the other person for his own sake and a concern for one's own happiness in life and love. Are these two attitudes necessarily contradictory -- the one altruistic, the other selfish? How can they be integrated?

THE 660B: Personal and Parish Evangelization (Prof. James Pauley)

The General Directory for Catechesis helps us form a distinctly Catholic understanding of the Lord's great commission to the Church to evangelize. How does the GDC define evangelization and what are the implications of this definition? What does it mean to say, "the Church exists in order to evangelize?" GDC 47 speaks of evangelization as a process that happens in "slow stages." Describe each of the stages that are mentioned and how evangelization happens within each of the stages. Finally, discuss the universal call to conversion in the light of GDC 53-58 and how a catechist invites those he/she teaches to lifelong convers
THE 740A: TI: Introduction to Universal Catechism (Dr. Stephen F. Miletic)

 Answer all four questions:

  1. Describe the Hierarchy of Truth as a principle of organization of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
  2. Describe the four fold plan ("four pillars") of the CCC as a principle of organic structure.
  3. Describe the typical content found in "Section One" and "Section Two" a "pillar" of the CCC.
  4. Briefly outline one doctrine and identify its most basic premis.e
THE 740B: TI: Eschatology (Dr. Regis Martin)

Comment at length on the following passage from Hans Urs von Balthasar in which he invites the entire discipline of Theology to become, as it were, eschatologized, i.e., to be dominated by the eschata. He writes: "God is the 'last thing' of the creature. Gained, he is heaven; lost, he is hell; examining, he is judgment; purifying, he is purgatory...In this way, eschatology is, almost more than any other locus theologicus, entirely a doctrine of salvation. This is absolutely central."

 SUMMER I 2005

 

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 660: PI: Biblical Spirituality (Dr. Stephen F. Miletic)

  1. Define (a) the interior life (b) the religious life (c) the spiritual life.
  2. Briefly explain the four stages of lectio divina.
  3. In which context does the individual encounter the objective proclamation of biblical truth?
  4. How does the objective nature of biblical truth transform an individual? Illustrate your answer by interpreting any three biblical texts. When appropriate or applicable, base your interpretation on what the text teaches about (I) the person and nature of God and (ii) the divine plan of salvation.
THE 660: PI: Love, Virtue and Sin (Fr. Donald Frinsko, T.O.R.)

The course was a study of three themes: love, virtue, and sin. In a well-organized essay discuss these three themes in relation to the readings from class from the Symposium, The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis, The Four Cardinal Virtues by Josef Pieper, and The Concept of Sin by Josef Pieper, and from lectures and presentations from class. In writing the essay

  1. include a detailed explanation of love, virtue, and sin, and
  2. reflect on how these themes influence moral theology today.
THE 678N: PI: Sacramental Preparation (Prof. Scott Sollom)
Discuss the unchangeable, universal elements of sacramental prep and correlate them with the modern situation of religious ignorance, especially sacramental/liturgical ignorance.
THE 711A: NTW: Luke-Acts: Discipleship and Mission (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Select one passage from the gospel of Luke and one passage from the Acts of the Apostles that present one of the two motifs (Discipleship & Mission) and explain them by examining the following:

  1. The literary context of the passage and its place in and contribution to the plot line of the book.
  2. How the passage treats or presents the motif, its features.
  3. How the motif interacts with the journey or prophecy/fulfillment or conflict motifs.
  4. Any other exegetical details that are pertinent.
  5. How this passage contributes to the Lucan theological concepts of discipleship or mission.
 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.

Would you argue that Clarke's approach to metaphysics is superior to Descartes' approach as well as Aristotle's? Explain why you would or would not argue thus, focusing throughout on the object, aim and method of metaphysics.

SUMMER II 2005


 

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. 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 660: PI: Management and Administration in Parish and Diocese (Prof. Ronald Bolster)
One of the presenters made the statement, "The Church is a business." With reference to Carnegie, Shaughnessy, Nelson & Economy, and class discussion, explain how issues of human relations, law, management and administration, far from being foreign to the Church's mission, are integral to the "business" of Catechesis and the making of disciples. Secondarily, discuss specific ways in which each is a component of the catechetical leader's work. With reference to the Official Catholic Directory (Kennedy), Canon Law, and web-based resources if available (including the USCCB), discuss the Diocese of Steubenville, your home diocese, or the diocese in which you expect to serve. Include "fact-sheet" information, diocesan organizational structure, and a discussion of the Bishop, his geographical and educational background, USCCB committee assignments, and written work.
THE 660: PI: From Baptism to the Beatific Vision: The Stages of Growth According to the Doctors of the Church (Prof. Ralph Martin)
Give an account of the stages of spiritual growth based on the teaching of Francis De Sales, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross.
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.

  1. Explain this premise, supporting your explanation with statements from the catechetical magisterial documents and required reading for this course.
  2. 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 711B: NTW: Pauline Soteriology (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Write an essay in which you summarize one of the four sections of the course outline:

  1. Soteriology in a Theology of the Word
  2. The Centrality of the Christ Event
  3. Salvation's Implications for the Believer
  4. Salvation: a Revelation of God

THE EXAMINER WILL CHOOSE THE SECTION YOU ARE TO WRITE ON.

Be sure to augment your discussion with texts taken from the Pauline corpus. The discussion does not have to address every possible text in the corpus that may touch upon the topic. Pauline texts should be chosen as representative of the topic or point to be made, then explained.

SUMMER III 2005


 

THE 660: PI: Conscience (Fr. Donald Frinsko, TOR)

 Answer all parts:

  1. What is conscience and what is it not? Is there a crisis of conscience and of culture in our world?
  2. What erroneous "PHILOSOPHIES" have aided in this crisis?
  3. What is the solution to these crises?
  4. Also discuss conscience and authority and conscience and pastoral practice.
In formulating your answer to this question, use class notes and readings from the course. Include, for example, John Haas' article about conscience, The Splendor of Truth (Veritatis Splendor), and other sources from the course.
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 740B: TI: Theology of the Holy Spirit (Dr. Alan Schreck)

 The Proctor will select either Question 1 or Question 2. Answer the question that is circled (only).

  1. "God, the inspirer and author of the books of both Testaments, in his wisdom has so brought it about that the New should be hidden in the Old, and that the Old should be made manifest in the New." (Dei Verbum, no. 16).

     Applying this quotation to the Holy Spirit, discuss the ways that the identity and mission of the Holy Spirit is present in a "hidden" way in the Old Testament, and how the Holy Spirit's identity and mission are more clearly made manifest in the New Testament. Is it clear in the New Testament that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Blessed Trinity (i.e. a person, and also a divine person &endash; God)?

  2. Discuss some major points of the understanding of the Holy Spirit of either:
    1. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. from his books Come, Creator Spirit and The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus, or
    2. Pope John Paul II, especially in his encyclical letter, Dominum et Vivificantem ("Lord and Giver of Life").

 You (the student) may choose either a) or b) of this question

.
THE 740B: TI: Comparative Religion (Dr. Michael Healy)

Please review the main sources of religious knowledge:

  1. The experience of the Holy being (Otto) (including the relation of the experience of the numinous qualities to the understanding of the "rational" predicates concluded to by philosophy).
  2. The experience of the voice of conscience (Newman) as having both a religious and a moral dimension and yielding a living knowledge of God in our lives.
  3. The hierophanies of nature (Eliade) involving a basic religious view of the world--seeing this world as representing something higher.
  4. Special insights of certain thinkers (Lao-Tse, Confucius, Buddha) combined with the development of great civilizations.
  5. The claim of direct revelation from God (Judaism, Islam, Christianity). Discuss the uniqueness of Christianity and its relation to other religions.
THE 740 C: TI: Christian and Islamic Theological Anth (Prof. James Kruggel)
Discuss what Christian and Islamic sources treated in class have to say about the following doctrines: God in general; revelation; the creation of man; original sin and the subsequent state of man; atonement and redemption; Jesus Christ and the Trinity; the group of believers; and eschatology. You may draw as well from related if not directly Christian or Islamic class sources, such as Karen Armstrong, and sources used in your papers.


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