PHL 730: Faith and Reason (Dr. Patrick Lee)
Explain a.) the evidentialist objection to Christian faith; b.) as clearly as possible, how you would reply to it; c.) how, on your view, faith could be both reasonable and yet also be a gift from God.
THE 602A: Theological Foundations (Dr. Scott Hahn)
Discuss the nature of Theology -- as a "spiritual science" of the supernatural mysteries of faith -- in the light of Scripture's primacy and referential language. What is the relation between theologia and oikonomia? Briefly explain the principle of covenant, and trace the successive divine covenants in the OT (especially the Abrahamic, Mosaic & Davidic), and then show how they are fulfilled in the New Covenant by Christ in His Church. Breifly discuss the principle of "divine accommodation" and how it functions in salvation history (condescension and elevation). Briefly trace the development of this principle's application by key patristic figures such as Irenaeus, Chrysostom & Augustine (of S. Benin) and especially Gregory the Great (cf. C. Straw).
THE 602B: Theological Foundations (Fr. Bevil Bramwell, OMI, Ph.D.)
Give an overview of the basic project in Hans Urs von Balthasar's Theologik, dealing with the basic information in the Truth of the World, The Truth of God and The Spirit of Truth.
THE 603A: 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.)
- Patristic period (Christ - 800 A.D.) either:
- the doctrine of the Son of God in relation to the Father, and in the Union of His divine and human natures or
- the reasons for the persecution of Christians and the Christian response to persecution
- Medieval period (800 - 1500 A.D.) either:
- Church-State relations, especially the "lay investiture" crisis or
- movements of renewal in the Church in the early, middle, and late middle ages
- The Reformation and Counter-reformation (1500 - 1750 A.D.) either:
- the basic objections against Catholicism of the various Protestant reformers or
- the contribution of the various saints of the Catholic reformation to the reform and renewal of the Catholic Church
- The "Modern" era (1750 A.D. - present) either:
- impact of Enlightenment thought on Christianity or
- significant movements of renewal in the Church (Catholic and Protestant) in this era
THE 603B: Historical Foundations (Dr. Georgedes)
Discuss the importance of the study of history to the study of theology. Utilizing in detail at least two (2) specific examples (one example each from two of the three basic periods of church history: the Patristic Age, A.D. 100-600; Medieval, A.D. 600-1500; Modern A.D. 1500-Present), explain how historical circumstances have affected the developmet of the Church and of Church doctrine or dogma. You may use more than two (2) examples if you wish, but you must discuss your examples in detail, and clearly show how they illustrate the importance of historical circumstances for the development of theology.
THE 609: Church Renewal (Dr. Alan Schreck)
Discuss the meaning of church renewal. Describe the biblical principlesof the renewal of God's people, and the relationship between the renewal of the individual and church renewal. Finally, desribe five to ten major lessons or principles for the renewal of the church that you have learned from studying the phenomenon of renewal in Christian history.
THE 645: Pastoral & Spiritual Direction (Fr. Ronald Lawler, OFM, Cap)
Explain and compare two ways of "loving God with the whole heart:" the beginning way, of resolving to live always in the state of grace, and the more mature way of seeking also generously to attain the rich perfection to which God calls every person.
THE 660A: PI: Ecumenism (Fr. Ray Ryland)
- Explain and characterize the Catholic Church's involvement in ecumenism.
- Explain the principal differing approaches to resolving disunity among Christians.
- Evaluate the following norms to which appeals are made for overcoming Christian disunity:
- the appeal to scripture
- the appeal to the first four ecumenical councils
- the appeal to the first seven ecumenical councils
Before each answer, please write the question being answered.
THE 660B: PI: Family Catechesis (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, OSF)Using the magisterial documents that stress the role of the family, discuss family as the domestic Church and cell of society. This discussion must focus on how these two themes provide the atmosphere in which parents are the primary religious educators of their children. Include the parish/school's role in supporting this premise.
THE 680: Applied Christian Ministry (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, OSF)Describe the ideas of communio and holiness as applied to Christian ministry, using the documents Christifideles Laici, Pastores Dabo Vobis, Vita Consecrata. Be specific in the use of these documents.
THE 692: Catechetical Methods II (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, OSF)Outline and briefly discuss the following:
- the catechetical endeavor and liturgical practice
- the catechetical endeavor and inculturation
THE 694: Catechetical Practice Today (Prof. Barbara Morgan)Produce an outline for amodel of adult catechesis OR family catechesis in a parish, incorporating salient principles from the most applicable magisterial catechetical documents.
THE 710: OTW: The Immanuel & Messianism In Prophet Isaiah (Dr. Andrew Minto)Given the canonical relation between the Immanuel prophecies in Isaiah 7-11 and the "servant songs and restoration passages in Isaiah 40-66, how does Isaiah contribute to Israel's emerging conceptualization of "messiah," "messianic expectation," and "messianism"? Be sure to draw upon specific details and features of the texts.
THE 732: Sacraments (Dr. Regis Martin)
Discuss the three most momentous historic assaults made upon the Church's institutional and sacramental life. How did the Church answer the objections thrown up against her by each?
THE 780: Scripture, 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.
THE 802: Nature of Love & Sexuality (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?
