Theology

Freshman Fall Semester: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture

The purpose of this course is to give students a general knowledge and appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures. Through their study of the Bible they will come to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. In the course they will learn about the Bible, authored by God through Inspiration, and its value to people throughout the world. If they have not been taught this earlier, they will learn how to read the Bible and will become familiar with the major sections of the Bible and the books included in each section. The students will pay particular attention to the Gospels, where they may grow to know and love Jesus Christ more personally. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Freshman Spring Semester: Who is Jesus Christ?

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. In this course students will understand that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Revelation to us from God. In learning about who he is, the students will also learn who he calls them to be. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Sophomore Fall Semester: The Mission of Jesus Christ (The Paschal Mystery)

The purpose of this course is to help students understand all that God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through this course of study, students will learn that for all eternity, God has planned for us to share eternal happiness with him, which is accomplished through the redemption Christ won for us. Students will learn that they share in this redemption only in and through Jesus Christ. They will also be introduced to what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what life as a disciple entails.

Sophomore Spring Semester: Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church

The purpose of this course is to help the students understand that in and through the Church they encounter the living Jesus Christ. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today. This Body has both divine and human elements. In this course, students will learn not so much about events in the life of the Church but about the sacred nature of the Church. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Junior Fall Semester: Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ

The purpose of this course is to help students understand that they can encounter Christ today in a full and real way in and through the sacraments, and especially through the Eucharist. Students will examine each of the sacraments in detail to learn how they may encounter Christ throughout life. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Junior Spring Semester: Life in Jesus Christ (Mortality)

The purpose of this course is to help students understand that it is only through Christ that they can fully live out God’s plans for their lives. Students are to learn the moral concepts and precepts that govern the lives of Christ’s disciples. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Senior Semester: Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ

The purpose of this course is to help students to understand the vocations of life: how Christ calls us to live. In this course, students should learn how all vocations are similar and how they differ. The course should be structured around married life, single life, priestly life, and consecrated life. Students should learn what it means to live life for the benefit of others and the value in considering a vocation in service to the Christian community. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Senior Semester: World Religions

World Religions is a survey of the major religious traditions of the world, and will include discussions of primal religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Islam. The final unit is on new religious movements and dangerous cults. The goal is to learn about the origin, community, basic beliefs, and practices of each faith, but also to understand other people better and learn the importance of tolerance.

Senior Semester: Living as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Church’s social teaching. In this course, students are to learn how Christ’s concern for others, especially the poor and needy, is present today in the Church’s social teaching and mission. (1 semester, 5 credit hours)

Senior Semester: Church History

The class is a study of the Catholic Church through the centuries, showing the growth, triumphs and tribulations of the Church and its influence on society in the past and today. Viewing the Church as both an institution and a people, students will learn not only about historical events but also the development and change of Catholic theology from the beginnings of the church. Original historical documents will be used throughout the semester to illustrate in greater detail the topics discussed in the textbook.