Systematic Theology

ST 601 - Nature and Method of Theology (3)
A study of the nature of theological thinking as an intellectual inquiry, arising from faith and having God himself and his promises as its proper subject matter. The course presents an interpretation of significant current trends in the light of the history of theology, with emphasis on medieval and modern theology. Shaped by Thomas Aquinas's conception of theology as sacra doctrina, the course advances proposals about such topics as revelation, scripture and tradition, faith and reason, the use of philosophy in theology, the nature of doctrines and their development, and the role of authority.

ST 611 - Creation and the Human Person (3)
Divine gratuity is the point of reference for this theological study of the spiritual material and spiritual-material orders in their relation to God and to each other.  In particular, the gifts of cosmos and the human person provide the axes for an inquiry into the meaning and purpose of creation, divine Providence, a theological appraisal of the cosmos, the problem of evil, and the nature and origin of the human person as image of God.  St. Thomas Aquinas serves as master guide who himself provides principles for extracting the perennial from the passing in a theological domain where a balanced fidelity to the perduring and responsiveness to the contemporary are especially mandated.

ST 614 - Theology of Grace (3)

A brief Scriptural, systematic and historical entry into the theology of grace is followed by a detailed examination of the setting and path of the Summa Theologiae's tract on grace.  Topics include the relationship of grace to law, nature and freedom; the kinds and causes of grace; the necessity and gratuity of grace; the Trinitarian indwelling and Uncreated Grace; justification and saving faith; ;merit in the perspective of God's saving power; and grace as the dynamic and liberating principle of the Christian life.  Pivotal moments in the theological development of grace are studied, particularly Trent.  The course concludes with a synopsis of contemporary approaches to the theology of grace.  Prerequisites:  ST 601 - Nature and Method of Theology, ST 604 - The Triune God and ST 611 - Creation and the Human Person.

ST 621 - Basic Elements of Christology (3)
A systematic approach to Christology guides this course's review of key historical moments in the Church's theological elucidation of the mystery of Christ. After situating it within the larger theological domain and clarifying its nature, Christology is examined from the perspectives of a Catholic reading of Sacred Scripture, its development in the controversies and councils of the early Church, and St. Thomas Aquinas's synthesis in the Summa Theologiae's tract on Christ. Finally, modern developments and questions are critically addressed with an eye toward outlining an adequate Christology for the future. Prerequisites: ST 601 - Nature and Method of Theology, ST 604 - Triune God and ST 611 - Creation and the Human Person.

ST 631 - Sacraments: Theology and Initiation (3)

An introduction to general sacramental theory by tracing various sacramental teachings from their biblical, patristic, medieval, and contemporary perspectives. The course will also address the scriptural, historical, and dogmatic developments of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and the implications for contemporary ecumenical discussion.

ST 635 - Sacrament of Marriage: Theology and Canon Law (3)
A study of the principal canons on matrimony in their historical and doctrinal context: the canonical definition of marriage and its ends and properties, preparation for marriage, impediments, mixed marriage, dissolution of the bond and annulments, convalidation, sanation (canons 1055-1165). Requirements in this course include active class participation, required readings, assigned cases and studies, and a final written examination.

ST 641 - Liturgiology (3)

A basic historical-theological study of the liturgy of the Church: the development of the liturgical rites of the early centuries; a consideration of such topics as ritual, symbol, environment, music; a review of the current liturgical discipline and documentation of the Church.

ST 819 - Trinity and Divine Names [3]

This seminar will examine the interrelation between Thomas Aquinas’ metaphysical monotheism (exemplified by Summa Contra Gentiles I, and the De Deo Uno of the Summa Theologiae) and his mature theology of the Triune God. Why (theologically and philosophically) does Aquinas hold to a doctrine of divine simplicity, unity, immutability and other “divine attributes”? What are the contours of his theory of ‘analogical names for God’? How do these affect in turn his understanding of the immanent life of the Triune God? In the second half of the course, the thought of Aquinas will be considered in creative juxtaposition to some major themes in modern Trinitarian theology: kenosis, passibility, divine historicity, etc. A major question of the seminar will be to consider: what is gained or lost doctrinally for Trinitarian theology by the presence or absence of classical ‘divine attributes’ or by the rethinking of the latter? Readings by Rudi Te Velde, Gilles Emery, Gottfried Thomasius, Sergius Bulgakov, and others.

ST 881 - Thomistic Seminar I (3)
This two-semester, three-hour intensive introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas and the philosophy undergirding it is designed for those seeking a grounding in Thomistic thought. The Summa Theologiae serves as the basic textbook to help guide the student systematically through basic philosophical concepts, theological method, and the theology of God, creation, human person, the moral life, law and grace.