A- Specifying
A-1. How has the experience of faith, or, put another way, the self-understanding of things that really matter (such as one’s way or relating to God, things of ultimate concern, the meaning of life, what happens when we die, and so on) changed over time? Be very specific and focus on particular aspects. Discuss one or related aspects across time. For example, you could explore how the understanding of God developed throughout “salvation history” as depicted in the Christian scriptures (Old and New Testament). In this case, you could give core concepts reflecting how God was understood in the time of ancient Israel through contemporary monotheistic religions descended from ancient Israelite religion.
A-2. What is the Trinity? Offer a theological discussion of the concept’s meaning within the Christian tradition. Be specific, exploring teachings regarding each person of the Trinity and the way they relate to each other.
A.3. What are key qualities regarding grace according to the text used in the final portion of our course?
A-4. Why is the understanding of incarnation and salvation so central to Christian self-understanding? How do those understandings relate to the Christian reading of the bible and understanding of Jesus?
A-5. Why is belonging and participating in church so critically important from a theological perspective?
A-6. Discuss the meaning of baptism in light of its symbolism and role in the theological tradition.
A-7. Define “Tradition” in its multiple dimensions. Distinguish tradition from traditionalism. Why is tradition, rightly understood, significant in such a unique way for Abrahamic monotheism?
B- Integrating
B-1. Name and discuss three distinct aspects of the “Problem of God” and fitting responses from the Tradition.
B-2. Show the relationship between religion, scripture, and theology, giving a brief definition of each and indicating how each of them needs the other in a general way but also in a particular way.
B-3. What are the theological insights and why are they significant for Christian (Catholic) self-understanding? How can theological insights be related to scripture and to other religions, including various Dharmic-type traditions?
B-4. How has understanding of the things that really matter (understanding of God, things of ultimate concern, meaning of life, what happens when we die, and so on) changed over time? Give a specific discussion of one aspect or related aspects across time. Consider, for example, the understanding of God and how to relate to God from ancient Israel to contemporary monotheistic religious traditions.
B-5. What are the core questions of vocation and how might they be specifically related to marriage?
B-6. How do core Christian theological themes fit together? Consider the ten themes considered in the final part of the course: Trinity, Grace, Incarnation, Salvation, Church, Baptism, Eucharist, Vocation, Reconciliation, Tradition. Note that these were given as part of an exploration of the “mystery of faith” within the theological tradition.
B-7. A symbol in the sense of baptism is a “sign that effects what it signifies.” Present several aspects of a central symbol of baptism: the flowing water. What do these meanings suggest regarding a theology of baptism consistent with the Christian scriptures? What do they suggest about the meaning of church as church, and related concepts explored in this portion of the course. Contrast baptism with other ways of entering into a faith tradition in other world religions. What does baptism suggest by its very difference? All Christians baptize in one way or another, but is the actual material experience of baptism the only way to experience salvation? What is the relationship between baptism and salvation? Present a clearly argued case.
C- Personalizing
C-1. How do you understand Tradition – that is, what really matters in faith you have received and carry on — in your own life? What traditions have you received, and what aspects of those traditions do you most emphasize in your own life?
C-2. What would you say is most distinctive about the Christian theological tradition vis-à-vis other religious traditions, including Dharmic and various indigenous expressions that go back to the beginnings of homo sapiens?
C-3. Why would you say that a purely “God-me” or “Jesus-me” relationship is contrary to the entire tradition as expressed in the scriptures? Support or critique the notion that “church” is an essential concept for salvation, flowing from incarnation, grace, and Trinitarian love. Present a clear case.
C-4. This course flowed from a consideration of world religion to canonical scriptures characteristic of Abrahamic monotheism to theological concepts. How would you say that the course design helped you understand what is particularly important to you in your faith tradition? Name your faith tradition and show what those aspects are and why you have named them.
C-5. Looking back over the course as a whole, what would you say you have most learned? What is going to be most significant for you moving forward, and why?
C-6. What do you find useful in the concept of distinctive configuration regarding each theological tradition? Name three other concepts that have helped you understand more of religion, scripture, or theology and which you encountered in this course. Define and explore those concepts, showing why they are particularly important to you.
C-7. Do you find the idea of an unchanging religion or theology more attractive than a changing religion or theology? Why or why not? What is most/least attractive in such a notion? How do the twinned notions of “deposit of faith, once and for all” and “development of doctrine” help shed light on these perspectives on religious and theological change.