Introduction to Catholic Theology

Including prerequisites for Franciscan University's MA in Catechesis and Evangelisation

Introduction

This is an opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in aspects of Catholic theology at the School of the Annunciation, at Buckfast Abbey in Devon. As such, this course would be suitable for individuals and communities wishing to enhance their understanding of the Catholic faith. No particular prior qualifications are required, nor is any previous study of theology or philosophy.

Successful completion of three of these modules (Metaphysics, Principles of Biblical Studies and Catechetics) will also allow students who hold a first degree in any subject to progress onto the MA in Catechetics and Evangelisation (MACE) offered in collaboration with Franciscan University Steubenville (FUS). Franciscan University requires that prospective students for the MA must have covered three subject areas outlined below at undergraduate level with an approved Catholic curriculum. Transcripts including these subject areas must be seen and approved by Franciscan university before beginning the MA programme, and will automatically be provided by the School of the Annunciation for anyone successfully completing the prerequisites here.

Please click here to go to the On-line MA in Catechetics and Evangelisation webpage.

Students may choose to complete all 6 modules, or may choose to complete them one at a time, doing as many as are required for admission to the MA. Although these courses are not yet accredited themselves, they have the credit equivalence of 3 US credits each and 12 undergraduate UK credits each, and accreditation is currently being sought.

Teaching and Learning

The modules are offered in a 'blended learning' format, including both face to face and residential components. The online study is carried out through the School of the Annunciation's virtual learning environment with the support of a dedicated academic tutor. Weekend residential sessions will take place at the School of the Annunciation, Buckfast Abbey. Students studying all 6 courses will attend two residential sessions, the session for the Metaphysics module being compulsory.

Costs

Cost for 2016 is £415 per module; £1990 for all 6 modules paid for together. There is also a £20 application fee (payable only once). Students studying all 6 modules should normally complete then within 2 years.

Curriculum

The following is an outline of each module, together with dates of the residential periods. Each residential study weekend is followed by 7 weeks of online study supported by a personal tutor; approximately 15 hours of study per week will be required. The module concludes with a written assignment which will be graded by a course tutor.

Metaphysics

In the module we will study how the great tradition of metaphysical knowledge, of philosophical knowledge of reality, which begins with Aristotle and develops with St Thomas Aquinas, is still as relevant today as ever it was. We will study how recent philosophers and theologians in this long tradition can help us understand how metaphysics meshes with scientific knowledge and other areas of knowledge we have of the world. We will examine how crucial metaphysical knowledge is to understanding the world and ourselves as created by God for union with God as our ultimate destiny. The examination of general metaphysical principles, applying to being as such, will allow the student to appreciation the central importance of ‘substance’ and the way analogical predication allows us to apply metaphysical pairs, such as form and matter, essence and existence across the whole of reality. St Thomas’s key insights into the significance of ‘existence’ in metaphysics will be a central element in our studies. We will proceed to reflect upon metaphysical aspects of this contingent world-order in which we live and examine ways in which areas metaphysical knowledge such as that regarding the hierarchical ordering of genus and species, throw light upon the different levels of being we find in our created universe.

A residential study weekend will take place on 25th to 28th August 2016.

Christian Moral Principles

The purpose of this course is to help people understand and appreciate the recent renewal of moral theology in the ‘virtue ethics’ rediscovery of St Thomas, to understand the Natural Law, the human capacity to know it, and the manner in which this refutes the approach of contemporary moral relativism. The course also enables a sound understanding of virtue theory as rooted in an objective and not subjective understanding of the human person. God’s pedagogy is one that attracts towards the good, towards truth and fulfillment, so the course includes a Catholic understanding of anthropology and the wider renewal of our understanding of life in Christ.  The work of Servais Pinckaers OP who was so influential on the Catechism’s presentation is the key author. Finally, there is a focus on the application of this in the area of chastity and how the call to authentic happiness embraces this aspect of Christian living.

A residential study weekend will take place on 15th to 18th September 2016.

Principles of Biblical Study

The Course begins with a chapter on the Word of God (Christ himself) and the word of God (Scriptures) following the text of the encyclical Verbum Domini by Benedict XVI.  It follows with an introduction to the Sources of the Faith as Scripture and Tradition and then provides an opportunity to follow a brief overview of the historical nature and formation of the whole of the Sacred Scriptures as an account of salvation history.  This is followed by appreciating the Scriptures as a single book, a unity of faith and the three Spiritual senses of Scripture rooted in Christ the one Word of God.  The relationship between the Old and the New Testament typology is explained and the Jewish and Protestant rejection of certain books and passages of books. Inspiration and inerrancy are studied and the Dogmatic constitution Dei verbum followed in detail. 

A residential weekend will take place on 2nd to the 5th of February 2017.

Theology of Christ

“The word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 457). Together with the treatise on the Blessed Trinity, the treatise on Christology is at the centre of Catholic theological study. As in all areas of theological study and reflection, of faith seeking understanding, reflection upon the person and work of Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity made man, bases itself upon the truths proclaimed through Scripture, Tradition and the living magisterium of the Church. Accordingly, part of the study of Christology will involve an examination of the truths taught about Christ in the Bible and through the diverse and complementary lenses of the inspired visions of the writers of the Gospels and Epistles. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church further understood truths present in the deposit of faith pertaining to Christology. How these truths are founded in Scripture is a further question explored in Christology. The debates of the great councils of the first millennium on Christ’s nature and work are then also an integral part of Christological study, as we understand how through these dialectical encounters the Holy Spirit guided the Church to an ever deeper appreciation of the truth about Christ given in revelation.

A residential weekend will take place on 2nd to 5th February 2017.

Church and Sacraments

The Theology of the Church follows firstly the themes and chapters of Lumen gentium. The biblical foundations of the Church from the Old Testament and the New are explored by the students in further depth followed by deepening understanding of the 4 marks of the Church, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.  An appreciation of the Sacramentality of Christ and the Church leads onto the characteristics of the sacraments in general including sacramental grace.  Baptism, Eucharist and Holy Orders are given special attention to show the vital complementarity of the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the laity in the ecclesial life of the Church. 

A residential weekend will take place on 18th to 21st May 2017.

Catechetics

The Course begins with a brief overview of catechetical documents of the magisterium since the Second Vatican Council beginning with the first General Catechetical Directory of 1971.  It then follows Catechesis tradendae in detail with additional readings from Evangeli nuntiandi, explaining key themes and principles.  Fidei depositum is the next text studied in some detail to introduce the Catechism of the Catholic Church, its structure, foundational truths and its pedagogy.  The third part focuses on the General Directory for Catechesis of 1997 exploring its five parts and key themes. 

A residential study weekend will take place on 18th to 21st May 2017.

How to apply:

To apply for all, or any, of these courses, please download this online application form.

For further information please contact
[email protected]
Telephone: 01364 645660.