SUMMER MINI-SESSION 1997
THE 700: Moral Theology in the Light of Veritatis Splendor - Directed Study
(Fr. Anthony Mastroeni)
Question I
- Explain sufficiently what is meant by the "Moral Determinants of a human act" and how they are seen to interact with each other, as well as providing the rationale behind the dictum, "the end does not justify the means."
- Explain what is meant by the "Natural Moral Law," and show how St. Thomas Aquinas provides an understanding of its formulation into various levels of precepts, some of which admit of further development.
Question II
- What is the rationale behind the "Principle of Double Effect" and the conditions that are required for its legitimate use?
- What is the rationale behind the "Principle of Cooperation" and clearly distinguish between the various kinds.
THE 722: Fathers and Doctors: 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 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.
- Clement
- or Pseudo-Clement
- Ignatius of Antioch, Epistles to:
- Ephesians
Magnesians
Tallians
Romans
Philadelphians
Smyranens
Polycarp
- Polycarp to the Phillipians
- Martyrdom of Polycarp
- Didache
- Epistle of Barnabas
- Epistle to Diognetus
- Shepherd of Hermas
THE 740: 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."
THE 780: Scripture, Heart of Catechesis (Dr. Stephen F. Miletic)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.
SUMMER I 1997
THE 501: Biblical Foundations (Dr. Andrew Minto)
Study all three (3) questions. The proctor will choose one for you to answer at the examination.
- 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 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?
- 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.
- 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. How does this meaning and interrelation provide the foundation for an interpretative stance or hermeneutic?
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 691: Catechetical Methods (Prof. Gloria Zapiain)Describe the steps of "ecclesial" methodology in relation to a catechetical setting of your choice and include a discussion of the five aims of methodology.
SUMMER II 1997
THE 503: Historical Foundations (Dr. Regis Martin)
Identify the ten (10) foundational events, or benchmarks, in the unfolding story of the Church's development; flesh out in greater detail the first five (5).
THE 692: Catechetical Methods II (Prof. Barbara Morgan)Outline and briefly discuss two (2) of the following:
- parish pastoral organization and planning;
- the catechetical endeavor and liturgical practice;
- a comprehensive catechist training plan.
THE 740: Ethics - Aquinas (Dr. Patrick Lee) (Course by special permission)
- What is evil, according to St. Thomas (and many, many others)?
- What reasons does St. Thomas give for his position?
- What objections regarding pain and morally evil acts can be raised concerning this account, and how might these objections be answered?
THE 804: Philosophical Foundations of Catechetics (Dr. Ronda Chervin)Give two (2) examples of how true philosophy supports genuine Catholic Catechetics and two (2) examples of how false philosophy undermines genuine catechetics.
SUMMER III 1997
THE 694: Catechetical Practice Today (Prof. Barbara Morgan)
No question given
THE 722: Fathers and Doctors : Patristic Commentary on Apostle's Creed(Fr. Bertrande de Margerie, SJ)
Comment on an article of either the Apostle's Creed or the Nicean Creed in light of, for instance, Cyril of Jerusalem.
THE 740: TI: Marriage and the Magisterium (Dr. Regis Martin)Identify and discuss the three (3) great ends of marriage as traditionally taught by Mother Church. What have been some of the recent threats mounted against the traditional teaching? In what sense might Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter of Human Life (Humanae Vitae) represent an advance of understanding these mysteries of Christian marriage?
