Origins of the Catholic Faith
Oct 17th, 2006 by Br. Joshua
An Undergraduate Course in Theology
ORIGINS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH
Course number: CLPRG27891
Instructor: Rev. James A. Wehner, S.T.D., Rector, St. Paul Seminary
Spring 2009 Semester Schedule: January 13 - April 28
Location: Ryan Catholic Newman Center, 4450 Bayard St., 15213: Student Center Conference Room
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
- Offered for credit (3 credits) through Duquesne University, College of Liberal Arts, Theology Dept.
- Students should cross-register for the course by contacting their academic adviser.
Course Objective
Origins of the Catholic Faith is designed to study the Christian Faith from its theological foundation presuming the validity of God’s revelation to the human race. The course will present from the outset the capability of one to understand, believe, and express the mystery of the Christian Faith through the two human fonts of knowledge - faith and reason. The course will study the evolution of the dogmatic teachings of the Catholic Church as they are contained in Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. The human desire for truth and the pursuit of happiness are anthropological dispositions to which the Christian Faith is directed with ultimate fulfillment in God, that is, eternal life. The course will explore these themes to present-day challenges in light of the proclamation of Christ’s Gospel.
Course Materials
The primary texts for the course will be the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of Vatican II, and the teachings of Pope John Paul II. All texts and materials are provided through the generosity of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Course Expectations
- Required reading of texts
- Attendance at lectures
- 10-page paper on a selected theme
- Oral examination (10 minutes)
Course Contents
- Week 1: Christian Anthropology
- Week 2: Divine Revelation
- Week 3: Holy Trinity, One God
- Week 4: Jesus the Christ
- Week 5: The Kingdom of God
- Week 6: Transmission and Reception
- Week 7: The Catholic Church
- Week 8: Sacrament of Salvation
- Week 9: The Sacred Liturgy
- Week 10: Evangelization
- Week 11: The People of God
- Week 12: Morality: Life in Christ
- Week 13: Social Justice
- Week 14: The Church of Pittsburgh
For more information on course content, feel free to email the Newman Center, indicating in the subject line “Origins Course”.
