Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology
Department of Theology
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSES 2005/6
Lecturer: Fr. Ludovico Calistus Kapinga, OSB, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: The course aims to introduce the students to the text and context of the New Testament, its historical, social, economic, political and religious environment, some of the main themes addressed and some of the problems encountered in our attempt to understand the text and context.
Content: As regards the context in which the major texts of the New Testament emerged, attention will be given to relevant geographical, political, social economic, cultural, linguistic, religious and philosophical features of that world. As regards the text, attention will be given to some of the problems and questions which must be taken into consideration to facilitate a better understanding of the New Testament. Gospel formation, Synoptic Problem, literary genre, Greco-Roman and Jewish influences, questions of authorship, inspiration, date and place of composition, a short survey of the main theological themes of each book, especially the gospels, and the question of Historical Jesus, etc.
Textbooks:
Brown, R. E. An Introduction to New Testament, New York, Doubleday, 1997.
Brown R. E. & others, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 1990.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.1, eds. Frank E. Gaebelein & others, Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1979.
Perkins, P. Reading the New Testament, New York, Paulist Press, 1988.
Meier, J. P. A Marginal Jew-Rethinking the Historical Jesus, (The Anchor Bible Reference Library, vol. I: The Roots of the Problem and the Person, New York, Doubleday, 1991).
Johnson, L.T. The Writings of the New Testament, Minneapolis, Fortress, 1999.
Lecturer: Br. Joseph Talaphalli, SG, SSL, STD
Organisation: five (5) hours/week, five (5) credits
Purpose: The main goal is an introduction to the synoptic problem, making the students aware of the existing similarities and the substantial differences between the Synoptic Gospels, presenting various solutions of the problem and explaining possible ways of reading the Gospels. The second goal is to give a general introduction to each of the Synoptic Gospels and to the Acts of the Apostles. Of a particular interest is the apostolic origin and historical value of the Gospels.
Content: A general plan of the course is as follows: 1) General presentation of each of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke) including such issues as: authorship, date, place of composition, purpose, historical and sociological context, sources, literal composition and theology; 2) Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels indicating similarities and differences and occasionally (when it will be necessary) making reference to the John’s Gospel; 3) Exegesis of selected passages; 4) General introduction to the Acts of the Apostles including the issues such as: authorship, date, purpose, historical and sociological context, literary composition, theology, and a question regarding the literal and theological relations to the Third Gospel; 5) Exegesis of selected passages); 6) Application of the study for today’s life and ministry.
Reference Works: The course is based on the notes prepared by the professor, however, the students in the preparation of the assignments are asked to consult some materials indicated in the bibliography that are available in the library: a) introductions (e.g., U. Schnelle, The History and Theology of the News Testament Writings, London 1998; R. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, New York 1997); b) dictionaries (e.g., The Anchor Bible Dictionary); and c) commentaries printed in series (e.g., The Anchor Bible; New Testament Message; Sacra Pagina; Word Biblical Commentary) as well as in the one-volume editions (e.g., The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. by R.E. Brown et al., Englewood Cliffs 1990, 587-767).
Lecturer: Fr. William Ngowi, OFM Cap., SSL, STD
Organisation: four (4) hours/week, four (4) credits
Purpose: To give the student an introduction to the formation of the OT, a foundational understanding of the revelation given to the Patriarchs and Moses, the Centrality and experience of Exodus: through liberation and Covenant in the Wilderness as recorded in the Pentateuch and the historical books.
Content: The course will begin with a short introduction to the OT: especial the formation of the Pentateuch. The course will then concentrate on the Exodus and Creation; Event-Centered Revelation with examination of various approaches, to understand its literary complexity and appreciation of its religious value. The division, content and the main theological themes of Pentateuch will be examined. The course will conclude with the study of the fulfilment of the promises and Messianistic thought in spite of the failure of monarchy as recorded in the Historical Books (Former Prophets), which are a product of the deuteronomistic movement, with references to the Chronicler’s History.
Reference books:
Brown, R. E. et. al., (ed.) The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1990.
Boadt, L. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
Von rad, G. Old Testament Theology. 2 Vols., Wiltshire, London, SCM Press, Ltd, 1975.
Soggin, J. A. Introduction to the Old Testament. 3rd Ed, Westminister, John Knox Press, 1989.
Pontifical Biblical Commission. Interpretation of Bible in the Church. Vatican, 1993.
Guinan, M. D. Pentateuch: Message of Biblical Spirituality. MBS, Wilmington: Michael Glazier, 1990.
Ellis, F. P. The Men and the Message of the Old Testament. Collegeville, Liturgical Press, 1963.
Lecturer: Fr. Bernard D. Witek, SDS, STL, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: The course is intended as a general introduction to the Book of Psalms and to the Wisdom Books of the OT (Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth, Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon). Another goal is to introduce students to the richness and variety of the literal genres demonstrating how the identification of a proper literal form helps in better and proper understanding of the content. Apart from the theological relevance of these books the focus will be put also on the application of the message in the liturgy and daily life.
Content: The following issues will be dealt during the course: 1) General presentation of the writings of the Ancient Near East and their possible influence on the books of the OT; 2) Introduction to the literary genres and poetical features found in the wisdom and poetical books; 3) General introduction to and exposition of each book including such issues as: title, author, date and origin, genre, integrity, literary composition, message and canonicity, exegesis of selected texts; 4) Messianic and Christological “reinterpretation” of Psalms with reference to the key texts; 5) Liturgical and spiritual use of Psalms and the daily application of the wisdom sayings.
Reference Works: The course is based on the notes prepared by the professor, however, for further reading the students are invited to consult the works indicated in the bibliography that are available in the library: a) introductions (e.g., R.J. Clifford, The Wisdom Literature, Nashville 1998; J.L. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction, Louisville 1998); b) dictionaries (e.g., The Anchor Bible Dictionary); and c) commentaries to particular book printed in series (e.g., The Anchor Bible; Word Biblical Commentary; The Old Testament Library; Old Testament Message) as well as in the one-volume editions (e.g., The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. by R.E. Brown et al., Englewood Cliffs 1990, 447-552).
Lecturer: Fr. William Ngowi, OFM Cap, SSL, STD
Organisation: four (4) hours/week, four (4) credits
Purpose:
1. Having discussed Pauline Literature in the general introduction to the NT, we hereby discuss each letter keeping in mind:
2. the Genuine Pauline letters;
3. the Deutero-Pauline letters;
4. the Pseudo-Pauline letters.
5. The Student is led to discover the problem pertinent to the study of Pauline letters, the main theological themes of each major letter and their pastoral importance.
Contents:
1. A short examination of the chronological problems in Paul's life;
2. A brief study of authorship, date, place of composition, structures and style;
3. Background of the letters - the date, Sitz im leben of each letter;
4. The theological themes in the major letters with pastoral orientation.
Textbooks:
Brown, R. E. et. al., (ed.) The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1990.
Ridderbos, H. Paul: An Outline of his Theology. Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1975.
Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit. Exeter: Pater Noster Press, 1977.
Fitzmyer, J. A. According to Paul, Studies in the Theology of the Apostle. New York/Mahwah, Paulist Press, 1993.
Other references to the major works and the Commentaries will be given in the class.
Lecturer: Fr. Wilfred Pais, OCD, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: The course is intended to give the students an understanding of the nature and character of the apocalyptic literary genre and its development in the Ancient World, in the OT, in the Greco-Roman World, and in the NT. Through this course the student receives the requisite knowledge for an understanding of the book of Revelation written by John.
Contents: The course focuses on the origin of prophetic apocalyptic thought, knowledge and development, its literary genre, language and message as well as the distinctiveness of its ideas in the Old Testament writings and theology. In this course the subjects of studied well be: Ezekiel’s visions (ch.1, 37-38; 40-48); ‘Apocalypse of Isaiah’ (ch. 24-27) and ‘Little Apocalypse’ (ch. 34-35), the books of Daniel and Baruch and the growth of apocalyptic thought in the Inter-Testamental Literature. The course will pay special attention to the environment in which these texts were written, in order to enable the students to understand the apocalyptic thought in its correct perspective. The Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) will be examined with a concentration on the following topics:
1. Introductory questions with special reference to apocalyptic literature.
2. Historical development of the Apocalyptic literary genre from OT to NT;
3. The relationship between the historical and sociological events, contemporary events to the author himself and the message of the Revelation.
4. The author, date and place of composition
5. The literary genre and structure of the Book of Revelation.
6. Method of interpretation
7. The theology in the book.
8. Aspects common to the other Johannine Literature.
9. Some selected passages will be exegetically studied with a view to their pastoral application.
Textbooks:
Arnold B.T. & Beyer B.E., Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. Grand Rapids, Backer Books. 1998
Brown R.E., & others, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Russell D.S., The Method and Message of Jewish Apocalyptic, London, SCM Press, 1964.
Guthrie D., The Relevance of John’s Apocalypse, Exeter, The Pater Noster Press, 1987.
Hanson P. D., The Dawn of Apocalyptic, Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1979.
Brown, R. E., An Introduction to the New Testament, Doubleday, New York, 1997, pp. 773-813.
Collins, J. J., “Apocalypses and Apocalypticism”, in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. I, by Freedman D. N., (ed. et al.), Doubleday, New York, 1992, pp. 288-292.
Ford, M. J., Revelation, The Anchor Bible, Vol. 38, Doubleday, New York, 1975.
Yarbro Collins, “Revelation, Book of”, in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. V, by Freedman D. N. (ed. et al.), Doubleday, New York, 1992, pp. 694-708.
Lecturer: Fr. Wilfred Pais, OCD, STL
Organisation: four (4) hours/week, four (4) credits
Purpose: To introduce the student to the meaning of prophecy, the prophetic speech and the prophetic functions; to help him identify and discover the permanent relevance of OT prophesy to Contemporary Christianity.
Content: The course will study the origins and rise of Prophets as guardians of Israel's Faith and their permanent relevance in both Testaments. The course specifically covers the early prophecy in Israel: the pre-literary prophets, Elijah and Elisha; the pre-exilic prophets, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Jeremiah and Habakkuk; the exilic prophets, Ezekiel and Second Isaiah; the post-exilic prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Third Isaiah and Daniel. The course will also examine the contemporary understanding of prophecy, especially in the African context.
Reference books:
Brown, R. E. et. al., (ed.) The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1990.
Boadt, L. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
Von Rad, G. The Message of the Prophets. Munich, SCM Press Ltd, 1975.
Westermann, C. (trans. by Hugh Clay Ton White), Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech. Philadelphia, Westminister Press, 1952.
Schmidt, W. H. Old Testament Introduction. Bombay: St. Paul’s Publications, 1997.
Sklba, R. J. Pre-Exilic Prophecy. MBS 3, Wilmington: M. Glazier, 1990.
Schuller, Post-Exilic Prophecy, MBS 4, Wilmington: M. Glazier, 1988.
Lecturer: Fr. William Ngowi, OFM Cap, SSL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To familiarise the student with the partly so-called Catholic letters and letters to the Hebrews. Looking into their backgrounds, theologies and purposes intended by the writers, the student will be able to use the necessary techniques to read them with facility and more fruitfully in his pastoral duties.
Content: A general introduction - their Sitz im Leben; their sources, authorship, dates and places. The various proposed structural forms of the Epistles. The theological themes and their purposes with exegesis of selective passages in order to emphasis their main theological themes and their intended purposes but especially the Priesthood of Christ, in the Letter to the Hebrews; the meaning of the Church as well as the Parousia and Judgement in the Peter's Letters: the Christology, the Church and Faith and work in James: the meaning of "apostles" in Jude. Finally, the letters' hermeneutical application in our modern world.
Text Books:
Brown, R. E. et. al., (ed.), The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs 1990.
Vanhoye, A. Old Testament Priests and the New Priest according to the NT, Massachusetts 1986.
Vanhoye, A. Structure and Message of the Epistle to Hebrews, Subsidia Biblica, 12: Rome: PIB 1989.
Other Major Commentaries on particular Letter.
Lecturer: Fr. William Ngowi, OFM Cap, SSL, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: The student is introduced into the Johannine literature to discover, appreciate and understand its language and message as well as the distinctiveness of its theology from the other New Testament writings.
Content: The study of the Johannine Literature as the Johannine tradition will begin with a general historical analysis of the following writings. The Gospel will touch or hint at issues such as introductory questions, its structure and contents. Exegesis of selected passages will be discussed. The main theological themes of the Gospel will be seen in the view of the expression given by the Evangelist at the end of his Gospel (John 20:30-31). The Letters of John will be introduced with their introductory questions and with the themes especially on its Christology, Ethics and Pneumatology. They will serve as a commentary on the Gospel itself as well as the light on the life and struggle of the Johannine community.
Textbooks:
Brown, R. E. et. al., (ed.) The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1990.
Brown, R. E. The Gospel According to John. A.B. Series, in 2 Volumes; New York, London, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1970.
Schnackenburg, R. (Translator Kevin Smyth), The Gospel According to St. John. 3 Volumes, New York: Crossroad, 1990.
Barnhard, B. The Good Wine, Reading John from the Center. New York/ Mahwah, Paulist Press, 1993.
Smalley, S. S. John: Evangelist and Interpreter. Exeter: The Pater Noster Press, 1978.
Lecturer: Fr. Bernard D. Witek, SDS, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To give the students a basing knowledge of the Greek language that will enable them to approach the Biblical text and accustom them with some expressions of the Greek origin used during the theological courses.
Content: After the matters regarding the alphabet, orthography and accentuation the students will be introduced to a basic Greek grammar (articles, declensions, conjugations; particles, pronouns). A short vocabulary will be introduced during each unit. The examples are chosen from the Bible.
Reference Works: A basic explanation of the Greek grammar is found in the notes prepared by the professor, however, the students are invited to consul other reference works which are available in the library, e.g.: R.M. Mackowski, Insights into New Testament Greek, Roma 1991; R.A. Martin, An Introduction to New Testament Greek, Bangalore 1992; W.D. Mounce, Basics of Biblical Grammar, Grand Rapids 1993; J.W. Wenham, The Elements of New Testament Greek, Cambridge 1965.
Lecturer: Fr. Bernard D. Witek, SDS, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To give the students a general idea about the Hebrew language and a certain domestication with some Hebrew expressions used during biblical courses.
Content: The introductory lessons are dedicated to the morphological matters (such as the alphabet, the vowels, the shewa, dagesh, mappiq, maqqef, syllables, etc.) enabling the students to read the Hebrew texts. The second section, that is an essential explanation of Hebrew grammar, consists of two parts: 1) explanation of the grammatical rules and 2) practical exercises based on the examples chosen from the Bible.
Reference Works: A simple and practical explanation of the Hebrew grammar is found in the notes prepared by the professor. For further reading students may refer to other grammars which are available in the library, e.g.: G. Deiana & A. Spreafico, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew, Roma 1998; P.H. Kelly, Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar, Grand Rapids 1992; T.O. Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, London 1971; R.A. Martin, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Bangalore 1993.
Lecturer: Ms. Monika Drążyk, STL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To help the students make a transition from the study of philosophy to the study of Theology; to offer them an integrated understanding of the various theological disciplines they will encounter; to give them access to some of the best contemporary insights into Catholic Theology.
Content: Sources and Methods of Theology; The Relation between Philosophy and Theology; Theology in History and the Church; Theology in the Light of the Second Vatican Council; Theology and Life of Faith; Dimensions of Theology.
Recommended:
Lennan, Richard, ed. An Introduction to CatholicTheology. New York: Paulist Press, 1998.
Wicks, Jared. Introduction to Theological Method. Piemme, 1994.
Nichols, Aidan. The Shape of Catholic Theology. Collegeville, 1991.
Flannery, Austin, ed. Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents. New York: The America Press, 1988.
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To introduce and impart to the students the foundation of the Christian faith focusing on the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the free response of man to it. To enable the students to be able to discern and see in Christ the full and the ultimate revelation of God, thus recognizing that faith is the response to God who reveals himself freely.
Contents: Revelation and faith of the church are mediated between them, through three levels of reference: The Scripture, tradition and the proclamation of the doctrine (Magisterium). Vatican II adduced as fundamental for all theology the Word of God, accepted and recognized in faith and which is present in different manners in the life of the church (DV 24). Thus there will be a treatment on the theology of revelation through diverse models: the doctrinal model; the model of revelation as history; revelation as dialectic presence… An overview of the private revelations will be done in order to respond to the affirmation that with the death of the last apostle God’s revelation is closed. Corresponding to the reality of religious pluralism, a reflection on the possibility of Revelation in the other religions will be taken into considerations: the theological problem of the religions, religious pluralism and thus the interreligious dialogue. In fact it deals, here with kernel and soul of fundamental theology.
Textbooks:
Dulles, Avery, Models of Revelation. New York: Orbis Books, 1983, 1992.
Recommended:
Rahner, Karl, Encyclopaedia of Theology. A Concise Sacramentum Mundi. Kent: Burns & Oates, 1975. pp. 1453-1473.
Baum, Gregory, Faith and Doctrine. London: Newman Press, 1969.
Moran, Gabriel, Theology of Revelation. New York: Herder and Herder, 1966.
Langevin, Gilles. “Faith” in “Dictionary of Fundamental Theology.” René Latourelle & Rino Fisichella eds. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1994. pp. 309-315.
Latourelle, René, “Revelation” in Dictionary of Fundamental Theology.” René Latourelle & Rino Fisichella eds. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1994. pp. 905-950; 950-954.
Vatican II: The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum).
Lecturer: Ms. Monika Drążyk, STL, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To introduce students to the developments of Trinitarian Theology suitable to those preparing for ministry, as well as providing a suitable professional basis for more advanced theological study in this field.
Content: The transmission of the Christian message in relation to tradition throughout the centuries and developments within the Magisterium as these developments apply to the doctrine of God:
Part I: Doctrine of God
1) God as a Problem
2) The Denial of God in Modern Atheism
3) The Predicament of Theology in the Face of Atheism
4) Experience of God and Knowledge of God
5) Knowledge of God in Faith
Part II: The Triune God
1) The Scriptural Roots
2) The Historical Developments
3) The Systematic Understanding
Textbooks:
Kasper, Walter, The God of Jesus Christ. New York: Crossroad, 1984.
O’Collins, Gerald, The Tripersonal God: Understanding And Interpreting The Trinity, New York: Paulist Press, 1999.
Neuner, J. and Dupuis, J. (eds.). "The Triune God" in The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church. New York: Alba House, 1981, pp. 95-113.
Marsh Thomas, The Triune God. A Biblical, Historical and Theological Study. Dublin: The Colombia Press, 1994.
O’Donnell John, J. The Mystery Of The Triune God. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1989.
Lacugna, Catherine, M. God For Us. The Trinity And Christian Life. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1991.
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To treat and study with determination the mystery of creation: of the world and the human being; and the related issue of the fall of man which is always referred to as the original sin, thus enabling the students to understand this mystery and grow in faith.
Content: As a free and rational creature, the human being searches for the origin of the world and himself/herself. Together with the theme of God, the notion of creation is basic and is seen as a forming part of the first article our creed: “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Thus using faith and human reason we will try to understand this mystery of faith, which will lead us to further reflection on the related topics. Thus the students would be able to deepen their knowledge on the reality of creation, knowing that all the created work has a meaning in the whole history of salvation. This will open up the discussion on sin and here especially about the fall of man who failed to obey God due to his desire to be like God: the doctrine on original sin. As related topics we shall deal also with the problem of evil, God’s providence, the doctrine of creation and science and the man’s dominion on nature (ecology).
Textbooks:
Morales, José, Creation Theology. Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001.
Haffner, Paul, Mystery of Creation. Herefordshire: Fowler Wright Books, 1995.
Recommended:
Rahner, Karl (ed.), Encyclopeadia of Theology. A Concise Sacramentum Mundi. Wellwood, Burn & Oates, 1993. pp. 313-328.
Carroll, Denis, “Creation” in The New Dictionary of Theology. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1990. pp. 246-258.
Clifford, Anne M., “Creation” in Systematic Theology. Roman Catholic Perspective. Fiorenza and Galvin eds. (Augsburg: Fortress, 1991)
Lecturer: Ms. Monika Drążyk, STL, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To help the students become familiar with the question of human existence and the question of God; to show them the theological vision of the presence of God in man and its effects; to prepare them for a deeper understanding of the reality of God’s grace.
Content: Creation of man; Original Sin and Its Consequences; Theology of Grace in the System of Dogmatic Theology and in the Bible; The Teaching of Church about Grace; Definition and Classification of Grace; The Problem of Nature and Grace; The State of Justification; Virtues; Merit.
Recommended:
Schmaus, Michael, Dogma 6: Justification and the Last Things. 1984.
Gleason, Robert W., Grace. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1962.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Paulines Publications, 1994.
McBrien, Richard P., Catholicism. HarperCollins, 1994.
Lecturer: Fr. Jacob-Caesarius Nalpathamkalam, CMI, STD
Organisation: four (4) hours/week, four (4) credits
Purpose: To enable the students to understand the historical Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the expected, the Messiah, the Son of God, who redeemed mankind, above all, by his suffering, death and Resurrection.
Content: The content consists of two parts. In the first part the study is centered on the Person of Christ, exploring how the Christological mystery is progressively explained in the dogmatic formulation of the different ecumenical Councils. In the second part, we explore what Christ has done for the salvation of mankind and what he is doing now.
Text Books:
Kereszty Roch, A. Jesus Christ. Fundamentals of Christology. New York: Alba House, 1991.
Neuner, J. & Dupuis, J. (eds.). "Jesus Christ the Saviour." in The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church. New York: Alba House, 1981, pp. 143-198.
Brown, Raymond, E. An Introduction to New Testament Christology. New York/Marwah: Paulist Press, 1994.
Cullmann, Oscar. The Christology of the New Testament (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1959.
Schmaus, Michael. Dogma 3. God and his Christ. London: Sheed and Ward, 1977.
Grillmeier, Alois. Christ in Christian Tradition. New York: Sheed and Ward 1964.
Johnson, Elizabeth, A. Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology. New York: Crossroad, 1990.
Richard, Louis. The Mystery of Redemption, Baltimore-Dublin: Helicon, 1965.
Lecturer: Fr. Jacob-Caesarius Nalpathamkalam, CMI, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: Rooted in Scripture and experienced from the very beginning of the Church, the students are instructed, how the theology of the Sacraments developed in the course of history, mainly stimulated by the questions of Soteriology.
Content: After having first clarified the term and the concept of sacrament and sacramentality, we shall speak of the present sacramental economy of salvation, then moving on to a deepening of the theological nature of the sacrament. After this we shall examine the conception of the sacraments as salvific acts of Christ established by him by means of the Church, his Mystical Body. The discourse will then turn to the historical origin of the Christian sacraments and their causality. Finally, we will consider, respectively, the minister and subject of the sacraments, their character and sacramental grace, and the sacraments and sacramentals.
Textbook:
Martins, José, S. The Sacraments of the New Alliance. Bangalore: Theological Publications in India. St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, 1988.
Vorgrimler, H. Sacramental Theology. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992.
Schanz, J. P. The Sacraments of Life and Worship. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1966.
Osborn, Kenan, B. Sacramental Theology. A general introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1988.
Ganoczy, Alexandre. An Introduction to Catholic Sacramental Theology. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
Lecturer: Fr. Jacob-Caesarius Nalpathamkalam, CMI, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To make the students aware of the biblical, historical, dogmatic and pastoral aspects of each of the Seven Sacraments; to give them clear and faithful Catholic teaching on the Sacraments; to help them come to a deeper understanding of the Sacraments and their important place in Christian life; to explore how new ecumenical questions affect Christian sacramental understanding.
Content: The Seven Sacraments as the center of Christian life and experience; The Sacraments as the chief means in the Church through which God’s people are reconciled to the Father, through His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit; The Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, The Holy Eucharist); The Sacraments of Healing (Penance, The Anointing of the Sick); The Sacraments of Service for the Community (Holy Orders, Matrimony).
Each of the Sacraments will be presented according to the scheme: 1) Introductory questions; 2) Biblical bases; 3) Institution by Christ; 4) Tradition and Teaching of the Church; 5) Sacramental sign; 6) Minister of Sacrament; 7) Person receiving; 8) Sacramental effects; 9) Specific questions
Recommended:
Vorgrimler, Herbert. Sacramental Theology. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992.
Haffner, Paul. The Sacramental Mystery. Gracewing, 1999.
O’Neill, Colman E. Meeting Christ in the Sacraments. New York, 1991.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Paulines Publications, 1994.
Rahner, Karl. Meditations on the Sacraments. New York, 1977.
Lecturer: Fr. Jacob-Caesarius Nalpathamkalam, CMI, STD
Organisation: five (5) hours/week, five (5) credits
Ecclesiology:
Purpose: The students are introduced to the Church instituted by Christ as a Sacrament of salvation for mankind, a mystery imbued with the hidden presence of God.
Content: The course begins with the study of the various images used in the Scripture and Tradition to illustrate the mystery of the Church and see how this reflection on the Church developed through the centuries and presents the Ecclesiology of Vatican II
The nature and characteristics of the Church instituted by Christ are studied in the background of the recent progress in the field of Ecumenism.
The Primacy and Infallibility of the Bishop of Rome is discussed in relation to the Collegiality of the Bishops.
Mariology:
Purpose: To introduce Mary, the ever Virgin Mother of God and the Mother of the Church, and to study her role in our redemption and sanctification.
Content: Mary is studied in her person, as the ever Virgin Mother of God, born free from any stain of original sin, full of grace. She co-operated with Christ, her son, the Only Mediator between God and man, for the salvation of mankind. Taken up body and soul in the heavenly glory, she continues to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of the Church.
Text Books:
Austin, Flannery, (ed)., Vatican Council II Lumen Gentium, NY: The America Press.1988.
Bea, Augustine, The Unity of Christians. Herder and Herder, 1963.
Baum, G., Ecumenical Theology Today, Glen Rock, Paulist, 1964.
Brown, R. E., Mary in the New Testament. N Y. Paulist, 1973
Conway, J. D., What they ask about the Church. Chicago, Fides, 1958
Schussler, Francis Fiorenza, John P. Galvin, (ed.), Systematic Theology, Minneapolis, Fortress, 1991.
Graef, Hilda Mary, A history of doctrine and devotion, NY Sheed and Ward, 1963.
Montini, Giovanni Battista, The Church. Maryland, Helican Press, 1964.
Riga, P. J., The Church Renewed. N Y Sheed and Ward, 1966.
Lecturer: Ms. Monika Drążyk, STL, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: To help the students become familiar with the theology of the Holy Spirit; to explore the major systematic and pastoral issues facing Christians today surrounding the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church, in the life of the faithful, in theology, and in the world.
Content: Revelation and Experience of the Spirit; The Historical Development of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; A Systematic Theology of the Holy Spirit; The Holy Spirit and the Church; The Holy Spirit and the Sacraments; Gifts of the Holy Spirit; The Holy Spirit in the Liturgy; The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christians.
Recommended:
Congar, Yves. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. New York: Crossroad, 1997.
Congar, Yves. The Word and the Spirit. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1986.
Gaybba, Brian. The Spirit of Love. Theology of the Holy Spirit. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1987.
O’Carroll, Michael. Veni Creator Spiritus. A Theological Encyclopedia of the Holy Spirit. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1990.
Gelpi, Donald. The Divine Mother: A Trinitarian Theology of the Holy Spirit. New York: Univeristy Press of America, (copy).
The Theological-Historical Commission for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Your Spirit, Lord, Fills the Earth. Official Catechetical Text in preparation for the Holy Year 2000. Paulines Publications Africa, 1997.
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: By means of lectures, readings, and class participation the course will eventually focus on the main Christian element of eschatology which is the resurrection; its implications to the person and to the cosmos at large.
Content: The course will be divided into two parts. The first part will include: some problems in today's understanding of eschatology; sheol; suffering; the intermediate state; the immortality of the soul; the theology of death; and African conceptions of death and the afterlife.
The second part will focus on: the resurrection of the dead; the return of Christ; the final judgment; the transformed physical universe; heaven; hell; and purgatory.
Textbooks:
Hayes, Z. Vision of a Future: A Study of Christian Eschatology. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992.
Kotila, K. Memoria Mortuorum Commemoration of the Departed in Augustine. Rome: Augustinianum, 1992.
Moltmann, J. Theology of Hope. London: SCM Press, 1967.
Murphy, M. New Images of the Last Things: Karl Rahner on Death and Life after Death. New York: Paulist Press, 1989.
Rahner, K. On the Theology of Death. New York: Herder and Herder, 1972.
Ratzinger, J. Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1988.
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To prepare the student for a deeper understanding of the ecumenical movement in the modern world.
Content: History of the divisions within Christianity. Recent ecumenical developments, especially the World Council of Churches and Vatican II’s Decree on Ecumenism. Current ecumenical issues: theological dialogue on Church, ministry and the Eucharist. Ecumenism in Africa.
Textbooks:
Baum, G. Ecumenical Theology Today. Glen Rock: Deus Books, Paulist Press, 1964.
Fries, H. & Rahner, K., Unity of the Churches: An Actual Possibility. New York: Paulist Press, 1985.
Lowery, M. D., Ecumenism: Striving for Unity amid Diversity. Mystic: Twenty-third Publications, 1985.
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: one (1) hour/week, one (1) credit
Purpose: To enable the student to be acquainted with the arguments of this controversial figure who has advocated for what should be the attitude of the Christians towards the adherents of the other faiths and to enable the student to draw conclusions in conformity with Church teachings.
Contents: We will examine the position of John Hick locating it within the whole discussion of the religions, trying to see his position with respect to the Roman Catholic Church. Then determinatively a deep study of his hypothesis using one of his many texts but especially An interpretation of Religion. We will try to see if such a solution can help for example in the case of Tanzania or other parts of Africa where the plurality of religions is the order of the day.
Bibliography:
Hick, J., An interpretation of Religion. Human responses to the Transcendent, (New Haven, 1989).
ID., God and the Universe of Faiths, (Oxford, 993).
ID., Problems of Religious Pluralism, (New York, 1985).
ID., The Myth of Christian Uniqueness. Towards a Pluralistic Theology of Religions, (New York, 1987).
D’Costa, J., “The Impossibility of a Pluralist View of Religions”, in: Rel. Stud., 32 (2) 1996: 224-229.
ID., John Hick’s Theology of Religions. A Critical Examination, (London).
Lecturer: Fr. Kosmas Asenga, OSA, STL
Organisation: One (1) hour / week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To search and to respond to the questions which arise from the realities in which we live: African Context. Briefly it is an effort to enable the students to do theology using categories common to their context.
Contents: The basic question is whether we do theology or we study theology. Doing theology is something different from studying theology. We would like to do theology (this does not exclude studying theology) from African point of view, using methods and principles which might have been used somewhere else or the ones which are born from our initiative. How do we understand the revelation of God from the situations in which we live? We will examine the some models of contextual theology and see how they can be applied in the case mentioned. Specific problems will be treated as an effort to give them an adequate theological response.
Bibliography:
Bujo, Benezet., African Theology,(Nairobi: St. Paul Publications-Africa, 1992).
Ela, Jean-Marc., My Faith as an African, (New York: Orbis Books, 1995).
Gibellini Rosino., Paths of African Theology, (London: SCM Press, 1994).
Mugambi, J.N.K., African Christian Theology, (Nairobi: E. African Educational Publishers, 1989).
Oborji Anekwe, Francis., Trends in African Theology Since Vatican II, ( Rome Pr., 1998).
Parrat, John., Reinventing Christianity African Theology Today, ( London: African World Press, 1995).
Shorter, A., African Christian Theology, (London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1975).
Bevans, Richard., Models of Contextual Theology, rev. ed. (MaryKnoll, 2003).
Schreiter, Richard., Constructing Local Theologies, (MaryKnoll, 1985).
Lecturer Fr. Thomas Ishengoma, IMC, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: Moral Theology reflects upon Faith to seek understanding of its implications for Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of the course is to present to students a synthetic view of Christian moral principles, which show how Christian life centred in Jesus, should be lived in response to the Christian’s total vocation, which is to both life in this world and to life everlasting.
Content: Toward a Theology of Christian living
Biblical foundation of Christian Ethics
The moral teaching of the Old Testament
The moral teaching of the New Testament
Principal motives of New Testament Ethics
The nature of Morality and its ultimate end
Textbooks:
Peschke, Karl Henry, Christian Ethics, Moral Theology in the light of Vatican II, Vol 1, C. Goodliffe Neale, Alcester, 1993.
Gula, Richard M., Reason informed by Faith. Foundations of Catholic Morality, Paulist, New York, 1989.
Grisez, Germain, Christian Moral Principles, Vol. 1, Herald Press, Washington, 1983.
Lecturer: Fr. Thomas Ishengoma IMC, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: Moral Theology reflects upon Faith to see understanding of its implications for Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of the course is to present to students a synthetic view of Christian moral principles which show how Christian life centered in Jesus should be lived in response to the Christian’s total vocation, which is to both life in this world and to life everlasting.
Content: Academic Freedom and the Role of Theologians. Sources of Moral Theology. The Renewal of Moral Theology and the Second Vatican Council. The relationship between Religion and Morality. Conscience, formation of Conscience, and Church Authority. Moral Identity and Fundamental Option. Realization of the Moral Value in Human Action. Discernment and Decision-making. Natural Law and Moral Norms. The Use of Scripture in Moral Theology. The distinctiveness of Christian Ethics. Feminist Ethics and the Catholic Moral Tradition.
Textbooks:
Lobo, V. George. Moral and Pastoral Questions. Gujarat: Gujarat Sahitya Prakash, 1984.
Fuchs, Josef, Human Values and Christian Morality. Dublin: Gill & MacMillan Limited, 1970.
Peschke, K. H., Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II. Vol. I, Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1996.
George, Robert P., In Defence of Natural Law, Oxford University Press, 2001
Lecturer: Fr. Michael Tesha, SDS, STL
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Description: An ethical reflection on selected socio-economic issues from the Christian perspective. The introduction will examine moral implications of man's social nature and review sources of Christian Social Thought from the Scripture to the present. The main inquiry will focus on the key areas of property, labor, credit, and the fruit of all these, prosperity. It will evaluate them in the light of Christian moral principles. The conclusion will disclose unique traits of Christian Social Thought and offer ethical guidelines of social conduct in a pluralistic environment. Through the study of Christian classics and social encyclicals, plus participation in socio-economic events, the course will help the students to become acquainted with the Social Teaching of the Church and to engage in the future on the side of social justice.
Purpose: To help students arrive at an integrated understanding of Christian faith and its relevancy in social life.
Content: Sin, Social Sin, and morality underlying existing social structures
Love of Neighbor and Human Liberation
Development of the Social Teaching of the Church
The Church’s teaching on Social Justice and Human Development
The Social Teaching of the Church on Human Rights
The Political Role of the Church (Church and Politics)
Liberation Theology: Methodology and Christian Realism
Preferential Love for the Poor
Economic Justice and the African Debt Crisis
Just War Theory
Textbooks:
O’Brien, D. J., & Shannon T. A., (eds.), Catholic Social Thought: The Documentary Heritage. New York: Orbis Books, 1992.
Gremillion, J. The Gospel of Peace and Justice. New York: Orbis Books, 1976.
Okullu, H. Church and Politics. Nairobi: Uzima Press Limited, 1986.
Sindima, J. H. Religion and Politics Ethics in Africa. Westport, Colorado: Greenwood Press, 1998.
Haselbarty, H. Christian Ethics in the African Context. Nairobi: Uzima Press Limited, 1974.
Gutierrez, G. A Theology of Liberation. New York: Orbis Books, 1973.
McCann, P. D. Christian Realism and Liberation Theology: Practical Theologies in Creative Conflict. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1981.
Shannon, T. A. What are They Saying About Peace and War?. New York: Paulist Press, 1983.
Door, D. Option for the Poor: A Hundred Years of Catholic Social Teaching. New York: Orbis Books, 1983.
Lebacquz, K. Six Theories of Justice: Perspectives from Philosophical and Theological Ethics. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1986.
Lecturer: Fr. Felix Mushobozi, CPPS, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: The aim of the course is to introduce to students the Catholic Church’s position on Medical Ethics and the major moral issues related to medicine and biology.
Content: Values and general moral Criteria (moral good, the logic of bioethical decision). Christian view of the Person and Life. The origin and the Early phase of Human life (Assisted reproduction, eugenics, antenatal diagnosis, abortion, genetic engineering, the use and donation of embryos and foetuses). The final phase of Life (death, euthanasia, elderly and terminally sick persons). Medical treatment Research (human experimentation, tissue grafts and transplant, sex pre-selection and sex change, AIDS, drugs).
Textbooks:
Basterra, F. J. E., Bioethics, St. Paul’s, Middlegreen 1994.
Peschke, Karl Henry, Christian Ethics, Moral Theology in the light of Vatican II, Vol II, C. Goodliffe Neale, Alcester, 1997.
Reference Books:
ENCYCLICALS: Veritatis Splendor and Evangelium Vitae.
Ashley, Benedict M., Theologies of the Body: Humanist and Christian, Pope John Center, Braintree, 1985.
Kieffer, George H., Bioethics: a Textbook of Issues, Menlo Park: Addison – Wesley, 1979.
Lecturer: Fr. Felix Mushobozi, CPPS, STD
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: The purpose of the course is to clearly vindicate the Catholic teaching on Human sexuality and Christian Marriage, exposing its meaning and purpose, how this teaching is rooted in Biblical revelation and how much it supports the Ethical ideals most needed in contemporary society, especially the virtue of Chastity.
Content: Human Sexuality (Nature and meaning of Human sexuality; Biblical teaching on Sexuality; Catholic Tradition and Sexuality; Moral teaching of the Church on Sexuality). Christian Marriage (The Nature of Christian Marriage; Sacramental Dignity of Christian Marriage; Unity and Indissolubility of Christian Marriage; Christian Marriage in our Societies). Virtue of Chastity (Virtue of Modesty and Chastity; Requirements of Chastity in Christian Marriage; Chastity outside the covenant of Married love).
Textbooks:
Haring, B. Free and Faithful in Christ: Moral Theology for Priests and Laity. Vol. 2: The Truth will set you free, Homebush: St. Paul Publications, 1979; ch.10.
Peschke, K. H. Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vat. II. Vol. II, Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1994, ch. 9-10.
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: one (1) hour/week, three (1) credits
Purpose: To foster full conscious and active participation in liturgical celebration (Sacrosanctum Concilium no. 14). Students are gradually introduced into the rich treasures of the church's worship. The method followed throughout the course is stated in SC, 16: Liturgy is to be taught under its theological, spiritual, and pastoral aspects.
Content: 1) The Liturgy as a Celebration, 2) The Liturgy as Celebration of the Mystery of Salvation, 3) The Liturgy and the Deposit of Faith.
Textbook:
A. Verheul A.& N. Winston, Introduction to the Liturgy. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1968.
Recommended:
Pius XII, Encyclica Mediator Dei, 1947.
Aime Martimor, The Church at Prayer. Vol. I, Principals of Liturgy. Collegeville 1987.
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: Apostolic, Patristic, Medieval, Reformation, Modem and Contemporary Periods, including Vatican II.
Content: The student is introduced to the history of liturgy, both East and West. He is made aware that liturgy develops through cultural and environmental trends or inculturation.
Textbook:
Wegman, Herman. Christian Worship in East and West. A Study Guide to Liturgical History. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1990.
Recommended:
Commentary on the documents of Vatican II, Josef Andreas Jungmann, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy , volume I, ss. 1-88, Freiburg 1966.
Theodor Klauser, A Shot History of the Western Liturgy. An Account and Some Reflections. Oxford: University Press, 19812.
Paul Bradshaw, The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship, Sources and methods for the study of early liturgy, London 2002.
Robert Taft, Eastern-Rite Catholicism. Its Heritage and Vocation. Glen Rock- N.J. Paulist Press, 1963.
Lucien Deis. Early Sources of the Liturgy. Collegeville, Minnesota 19752.
Aime Martimor, (ed.) The Church at Prayer. Vol. I, Collegeville 1987.
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: The course offers an introduction to the meaning of prayer and sanctification of time, which is rooted in the Jewish tradition. It gives the student a thorough knowledge and practical use of the current breviary and the use of psalms in prayer and liturgical celebration
Content: The history of salvation is closely bound up with a cosmic environment. The liturgical celebration in the church evolves around a special calendar, which unfolds the different aspects of Christ's saving events. The student is therefore made aware of how the mysteries of the saving Father through Christ and in the Unity with the Holy Spirit works by using the church calendar. He is also introduced to the meaning of prayer and sanctification of time which is rooted in Jewish tradition. He is to have a through knowledge and practical use of the current breviary and the use of psalms in prayer and other Liturgical celebration.
Textbooks:
Adam Adolf, The Liturgy Year. New York 1981.
Aime Martimor, The Church at Prayer. Vol. IV, Collegeville, The Liturgy of the Hours. Vol. I, Collegeville 1983.
Recommended:
John Paul II, Dies Domini, Apostolic letter, Vatican 1998.
Odo Casel, The mystery of Christian worship, New York 1999.
Thomas Keating, The Mistery of Christ - The Liturgy as Spiritual experience, New York 2001.
Stephen Breck, Psalms and practice. Worship, Virtue and Authority, Collegeville, Minnesota 2001.
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: one (1) hour/week, one (1) credit
Purpose: To introduce students to the richness of the reality of prayer in spiritual development.
Content: Act of prayer and the life of prayerfulness. Prayerfulness as loving awareness of God’s presence. Analysis of grades of prayer. Seat and nature of prayer. Liturgy of the Hours as prayer and daily “mandate”.
Textbooks:
Giardini, F. Loving Awareness of God’s Presence in Prayer. New York: Alba House, 1986.
_________. The Mind and Heart in Prayer. Rome: Pontifical University of St. Thomas, 1988.
_________. Prayerfulness. Milano: Massimo, 1984.
General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours issued February 2, 1971, by the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship.
The Liturgy of the Hours, New York, Catholic Book Publishing Co., Vol. I, 1980.
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: one (1) hour/week, one (1) credit
Purpose: Episcopate, Presbyter, Deaconate, Reader and Acolyte. Today's Church is being led by the Spirit to return to the ways of Christ. Like him we are called to serve, not to be served. Those who are leaders in the Church are servants of God's people.
Content: The student is introduced liturgically into these different functions in the Church and especially during the Christian assembly celebrating the Eucharist, Sacraments, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
Reference:
Vatican II, Constitution Sacrosantum Concilium.
Paul VI, Motu Propio Ministeria quaedam, 15 August 1972.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Washington 2003, Third edition available on the websites of the Holy See.
International Commission on English in the Liturgy a Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences, The rites of the Church, Introduction to rites, Volume one, Minesota 1990
Avery Dulles, The priestly office, New York 1997.
Margaret Rizza, Proclaiming God’s Word - a handbook for readers, London 1998.
The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, Breviary – volume I.
Harold Winstone, Pastoral Liturgy: A Symposium, (Collins, 1985).
Lecturer: Fr. Adam Kardyś, STL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, zero (0) credit
Purpose: To provide students for sacramental ministry with practice, knowledge and skills required for effective communication in their pastoral activity.
Content: Practical exercises with the students of the fourth year of theology will be done to ensure competent effective communication in their ministerial role as ministers of Word and Sacraments.
Reference books:
International Commission on English in the Liturgy a Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences, The rites of the Church, Volume one, Minesota 1990.
Aidan Kavanah, Confirmation, Origins and Reform, New York l988.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Book of blessings, Ottawa 1981.
Coyle Tom, Christian Ministry to the Sick, London 1986.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Marriage - Ritual and pastoral notes, Ottawa 1979.
Kevin Namara, Penance, Dublin 1985.
Reid Scott, General Sacramental Absolution, London 1998.
Ann Ball, Catholic book of the dead, Huntington 1995
Pennington M. Basil, The Eucharist Yesterday and Today, London 2000
Robert Cabie, History of the Mass, Oregon 1992.
John Leonard & Nathan Mitchel, The postures of the Assembly during the Eucharistic Prayer, Chicago 1994
Lecturer: Fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz , OFM Conv., STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: The course will focus on theological principles and the practice of modern methods of catechesis. The student will grow through a strong pastoral approach with practical involvement in the catechetical life of the parish.
Content: The students will be given firstly a clarification of the terminology used in the Church, and then will be introduced to the nature and goal of catechesis. Secondly, a brief history of catechesis will be sketched with an emphasis on the recent and General Catechetical Directory (GCD). Different methods of teaching will be described as help for the proper preparation of a lesson. Finally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be presented as a basic reference text, and the RCIA process as a model for all catechesis.
Textbooks:
Conway, T. & E. E. Anderson. Forming Catechists: An Introduction to CCD Teaching. New York: W. H. Sadlier, Inc., 1966.
Foltz, N. T. (ed.) Handbook of Adult Religious Education. Birmingham: Religious Education Press: 1986.
Rusbuldt, R. E. Basic Teacher Skills: Handbook for Church School Teachers. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1982.
Sloyan, G. S. Modern Catechetics: Message and Method in Religious Formation. New York: Macmillan Company, 1963.
Lecturer: Fr. Joseph Israel, ALCP/OSS, STL, STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To help students to know the nature, historical development of pastoral theology and its methodology.
Content: The course is divided into three parts. The first part introduces challenges, difficulties and expectations of modern man and the necessity of pastoral theology. Then, follows the definition of pastoral theology by different writers, the subject matter of pastoral theology, the perspective of reflection and finality of pastoral theology. The second part is about the historical development of pastoral theology from the early Christian community until the Second Vatican Council. The third part introduces the methodology of pastoral theology and its application in the pastoral action of the Church.
Textbooks:
Midali Mario, Practical Theology: Historical Development of its foundation and scientific character, Rome: Las, 2000.
McGarry C. et Al. A Light on Our Path: A Pastoral contribution to the Synod for Africa, Nairobi: St. Paul Publications-Africa, 1993.
John Paul II. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, I will Give You Shepherd Pastores Dabo Vobis, St. Boston: Paul Books and Media, 1992.
Congregation For the Clergy. The Priest Pastor and leader of the Parish Community: Instruction, Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 2002
Lecturer: Fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz , OFM Conv., STD
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: To acquaint the student with the basic grounds of Christian mission from biblical, systematic-theological and anthropological perspectives, and thereby to enable him to encounter in faith the peoples of other religions and cultures.
Content: Since Vatican II Christian mission has received new impetus and meaning in as much as it is conducted not against but with other religions. Church documents such as the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi of Paul VI in 1975 and the encyclical Redemptoris Missio of John Paul II in 1990 not only pursue but also introduce new insights into this path. The present course takes up this bold initiative in a threefold manner: first by examining and re-asserting the biblical foundation of Christian mission, second by developing an adequate religious anthropology, and third by proposing a theology of religions faithful to Christian creed and tradition. It thereby provides the student with reliable material to witness the Christian faith among peoples of other religions and ideologies, and further introduces him to a wealth of scientific knowledge directly relevant to pastoral work, religious education, social action and liturgy.
Required Text:
Bosch, D. Transforming Mission. New York: Orbis Books, 1991.
Recommended:
Karotemprel, S. (ed.) Following Christ in Mission: A Fundamental Course in Missiology. Bangalore: 1995.
Lutzbetak, L. J. The Church and Cultures: New Perspectives in Missiological Anthropology. Orbis Books: New York 1995.
Dupuis, Jacques. Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism. New York: Orbis Books, 1997.
Legrand, Lucien. Unity and Plurality. Mission in the Bible. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1990. [Le Dieu qui vient. Paris: Desclée, 1988.]
Lecturers: Fr. Johnson M. Kallidukil, MSFS, JD
Sr. Zita Amanzia Danzero, CM, LAI
Organisation: three (3) hours/week, three (3) credits
Purpose: The aim of the course is to understand and to be familiar with World Religions and Cultures so as to foster unity and dialogue between them, finally leading to a better appreciation of them.
Content: The course will journey through the important religions and cultures in the World, such as, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Islam, the primal religions and African traditional religions. The focus of the course will be to highlight how the various religious traditions understand the Supreme Reality, Human Beings, and the Universe and their particular religious practices and traditions.
Content of the Course:
Introduction, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Islam, Judaism, The Primal Religions, African Traditional Religions, Conclusion
Textbooks:
Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. New York: Harper Collins, 1991.
Earhart, Byron H. Religious Traditions of the World. New York: Harper San Francisco, 1993.
Smart, Ninian. The World’s Religions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Olvera, G. Virtue in Diverse Traditions. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 1998.
Das, Govinda. Hinduism. Madrass: G. A Valesan & Co, 1924.
De Smet, R.V. & Others (ed.) Religious Hinduism. Allahabad: St. Paul Publications, 1964.
Bapat, P. V. (ed.) 2500 Years of Buddhism. New Delhi: Government of India, 1956.
Hbright, W. F. From the Stone Age to Christianity. Buttemore, 1958.
Howard, Smith. Chinese Religions. New York: 1968.
__________. Confucius. New York: 1973.
ISLAM
Purpose: To make students aware of the theological-pastoral implications of exercising the priestly ministry in a multireligious-multicultural society, where Islam is one of the major and most radical religions.
Content: The students will be exposed to the most important theological issues of Islamic Theology, which have very concrete influence on the relations between Christians and Muslims.
Secondly, pastoral issues will be discussed taking into consideration the East African/Tanzanian context. The students will be called to reflect on areas of human cooperation and of spiritual convergences between Christianity and Islam.
Textbooks:
Caspar, R. Trying to Answer Questions, PISAI ROME 1989
Borrmans, M. Guide for Dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Paulist Pres, 1997
Papal Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio.
Reflections and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Dialogue and Proclamation.
Lecturer: Fr. Michael Tesha, SDS, STL
Organisation: two (2) hours/week, two (2) credits
Purpose: to become more effective preachers of the Word of God by learning the theology, the theory, and the practice of homiletics.
Content: Since ordained ministers in today’s church are primarily servants of the Word, t