21 credits
Why theology of ministry?
Students may pursue a theology of ministry minor in order to provide theological foundations for ministry in a variety of Church-related positions. Students enrolled in the liturgical music major are required to concurrently pursue this minor.
Goes great with
Liturgical Music
Human Services
IHM Seminary Philosophy
(From the 09-11 Catalog)
A. One of the following Faith Traditions One courses:
TH112 History of the Bible
TH113 Bible and Belief
TH114 Religions of the Book
TH115 Mystery of Salvation
B. One of the following Faith Traditions Two courses:
TH250 Christian View of the Human Person
TH260 Catholic Doctrine and Interpretation
TH300 Christianity in a Global Context
TH350 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology
C. All of the following:
TH209 Foundations of Catholic Theology
TH210 Introduction to the Old Testament
TH220 Introduction to the New Testament
TH310 Principles of Sacraments and Liturgy
TH410 Theology of Ministry
Click on courses below for descriptions
TH210 Introduction to the Old Testament (3 credits)Students survey examples from the Pentateuch, Prophetic, Historical and Wisdom texts, their forms, settings and theology. This survey incorporates an appreciation for some basic contemporary interpretive methods. Methods encouraged by Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation are studied.
Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH209 Foundations of Catholic Theology (3 credits)This course explores the tenets and practices of theology through the study of the interpretations of Christian doctrines noted in the Nicene Creed and select catechetical texts. Issues of method, authority, and the interface of faith with modern culture are highlighted.
Prerequisite or concurrent with one of the following: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH114 Religions of the Book (3 credits)The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as an example of the worl'’s Scriptures. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn between both the content and the use of Scripture in Jewish, Christian and Muslim denominations. Attention can be given to some of the uses of Scripture in eastern worldviews, for example, Hinduism and Buddhism.
TH115 The Mystery of Salvation (3 credits)The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. The Bible leads to Christ, the mystery of salvation. This course is divided into four parts corresponding to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: professing our faith, celebrating our faith, living our faith, and praying our faith. The primary sources are Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: IHM seminarian.
TH112 History of the Bible (3 credits)The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as a product of God and of people. Students consider how the Bible actually emerged in the lives of Jews and Christians as well as how it sustains Christianity today. Typical areas of study are the Bible's literary expressions, differing beliefs and inspirational prayers.
TH113 Bible and Belief (3 credits)The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as a means of God's revelation. Special focus is given to how different denominations vary in their respective use of the book as a source of divine revelation. Also considered is how broad assumptions about the nature of the text shape various theologies and how issues like inspiration, myth and ethics are determined both from and for the reading of the Bible.
TH260 Catholic Doctrine and Interpretation (3 credits)This course is an introduction to Catholic theology that explores fundamental doctrines, e.g., the Triune God, the creation of the cosmos and humanity, sin, grace, salvation, sanctification, and sacramental imagination. Students attend to the development of these creedal doctrines building on their biblical understanding of how these doctrines frame the human experience through a coherent system of thought, which addresses the challenges that modernity and post-modernity pose to the Christian world view.
Students who have taken TH209 should not take this course.
Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH300 Christianity in a Global Context (3 credits)Through comparison and contrast, students define and articulate how the Christian, especially Roman Catholic, world view relates to those of others. Prior to such comparisons students focus on being able to articulate the basic world view of several mainstream religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and the religions of the Far East, especially Shinto, Dao and Confucian thought.
Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH220 Introduction to the New Testament (3 credits)Students survey examples of texts from the Pauline, Catholic and Pastoral Epistles, the Gospels and Acts; Hebrews and Revelation are also introduced. Working with the interpretive strategies gained in TH210 Introduction to Old Testament, students begin to assess the dynamics of interpretation through the completion of an exegetical paper.
Prerequisites:
- TH210 Introduction to the Old Testament
TH250 Christian View of the Human Person (3 credits)This course explores the set of Catholic Christian doctrines and interpretation surrounding the question "what does it mean to be a human person?": for example, the creation to the image of God, sin, redemption, sacramentality, and vocation. There is a focus on modern questions of the mind, conscience, embodiment, gender, and sexuality.
Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH350 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology (3 credits)As the foundational class in moral theology, this course addresses the different moral theologies in the Catholic tradition, from Scriptural ethics to natural law. Contemporary issues are addressed as a means of explicating schools of ethical method and applying moral reasoning.
Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH410 Theology of Pastoral Ministry (3 credits)Students with theology majors and minors address both the theological and practical dimensions of the tasks of ministering in different contexts, e.g., youth ministry, parish life, hospital chaplaincy, and campus ministry. The course encourages the development of perspectives and skills necessary for effective ministry in one or more of these settings, and involves field experience within a variety of pastoral settings.
Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: Ordinarily concurrent with TH496/497.
TH310 Principles of Sacraments and Liturgy (3 credits)Students consider the history, theology, and practice of Christian sacramental life as they address the questions of ritual, celebration, and worship. The course also examines general principles of liturgy and ritual, as well as guidelines for planning and implementing pastorally effective liturgy.
Offered in alternate fall semesters.
Prerequisite: TH209 (may be concurrent).