THE 602: Theological Foundations (Dr. Scott Hahn)

NOTE: Question updated by Dr. Hahn 5/1/03.

Discuss the nature of Theology as a spiritual science of the supernatural mysteries of faith - in view of our treatment of fundamental, biblical, and dogmatic theology.

First, briefly discuss the manner in which the Holy Spirit reveals God's Word through Sacred Scripture, Living Tradition, and the Magisterium. Second, briefly explain the unique importance and normative function of inspired Scripture for the ordering of Theology according to the divine economy of salvation history. Third, briefly discuss the principle of divine accommodation and how key patristic figures (e.g., Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Aquinas) employed it in their theology.

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 645: Pastoral and Spiritual Direction (Sr. Maria J. Walsh, CSJ)

Write an integrated essay for each of the following:

  1. Specifically describe The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a "School of Prayer" and show how it flows from his lived experience.
  2. Specifically describe The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a "School of Discernment" and show how it flows from his lived experience.
  3. Elaborate on contemporary literature in the field including spiritual direction and retreats.

THE 650: Christian Liturgy (Fr. Dominic Scotto)

The oldest celebration of the Christian Eucharist took the form of a meal at least in some places and at least for a few decades after the death of Christ. Please establish and develop this statement.

THE 660A: PI: Family Catechesis (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM)

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 660B: PI: Franciscan in the New World (Fr. Conrad Harkins, OFM)

There is no question due to no MA students in this course this semester.

THE 675: Pastoral Perspectives (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 both of the following:

 

  1. "Continuity and change in pastoral approaches to marriage and sexuality: patristic and contemporary approaches"
    • Discuss the meaning of the term 'pastoral' and the concept of 'development of doctrine' and articulate your understanding of the relationship between patristic and contemporary teachings on marriage and sexuality.

    In illustrating the above:

    • describe some of the key teachings of thinkers such as John Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria and Augustine regarding sexuality, marriage and virginity and comment on the ways in which their teachings reflect their responses to the particular needs and situations of the Church in their time periods.
    • describe some of the key developments in the Church's teaching on marriage, women and sexuality since the Second Vatican Council and comment on ways in which these developments respond to changes in the practices of marriage and family in our contemporary context.

     

  2. Based on your particular class project, contrast two pastoral approaches to a specific pastoral situation and articulate your own proposal for a pastoral program directed to that situation.

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 694N: Catechetical Practice Today (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

Produce an outline for a model of adult catechesis OR family catechesis in a parish, incorporating salient principles from the most applicable magisterial catechetical documents.

THE 700N: CMP: Bioethics (Prof. Brian Scarnecchia)

Discuss "embryo adoption" (the implantation of a third-party frozen embryo that would otherwise be killed into the womb of woman in order that she may save and adopt the child). Consider the Church's teaching on marriage, in vitro fertilization, and the right to life in light of Christian moral principles. Is this procedure an intrinsically evil act? Why/why not? If not, is it ever morally obligatory? What would you advise?

THE 711: 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.

THE 731: Christology (Fr. Dan Pattee, T.O.R., Ph.D.)

Question: In answering the following questions, be detailed, accurate and precise: the more detailed and accurate, the better.

One of the differences between pre-Nicene christology and post-Nicene christology was the way that post-Nicene christology moved in the direction of a christology of distinction. This came about largely on the basis of the affirmation of the Logos as homoousios with the Father. Explain what that means and then answer the following questions: what were the two schools of christology that resulted from this post-Nicene development? What were the characteristics of these schools and the heresy proper to each? Finally, how did these two schools eventually come to agreement in the christological settlement forged at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD?

THE 740A: TI: Theology of Henri de Lubac (Prof. Kevin Miller)

Answer both:

  1. Discuss de Lubac's theological anthropology, including background and controversies.
  2. Discuss one (your choice) of the following, includings its relation to de Lubac's theological anthropology where relevant: de Lubac on atheism/knowledge of God, de Lubac's ecclesiology, or de Lubac on Scripture

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."

THE 740C: TI: Elementary Hebrew II (Dr. Gregory Vall)

  1. Using the verb paqad, give the principle parts (perfect, imperfect, imperative, and participle) of the Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hithpael, Hiphil, and Hophal.
  2. Give the complete paradigm for the Qal imperfect of nathan.
  3. Using the very banah, give the complete Qal paradigms for the perfect, imperfect, imperative, and active participle.
  4. Using the verb qum, give the complete Qal paradigms for the perfect, active participle, and imperfect.
  5. Using the verb sabab, give the complete Qal paradigms for the perfect and imperfect.

Be sure to label all paradigms clearly.

THE 740D: TI: Mariology II (Dr. Mark Miravalle)

Discuss the Franciscan thesis articulated by Bl. John Duns Scotus regarding the Absolute Primacy of Christ, and identify its immediate mariological ramifications concerning the predestination of Mary in one and the same eternal decree with the Incarnation.

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.

 

Return to Comprehensive Examination Schedule