Theology 3 - Salvation History

Course: Theology 3 - Salvation History (corresponding textbook: ) Overview: Students will be able to recount and apply the key moments in salvation history, from ’s creation through Christ’s ascension into heaven. Unit 1 sets the stage through creation, the covenants, and ’ Incarnation. Unit 2 features Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God through his public ministry, and the heart of salvation history, the Paschal Mystery. Unit 3 applies Christ’s saving work in a brief study of theodicy, holiness, and prayer.

Unit 1: The Preparation for the Proclamation

Standard 1.1 Analyze the deeper meaning of the Genesis creation stories. Objective 1.1a Determine how Genesis creation stories are interpreted in the Catholic tradition. Objective 1.1b Analyze what the creation stories say about what it means to be human, and what it means to be in right relationship with God. Objective 1.1c Explain the theological significance and practical effects of Original Sin. Objective 1.1d Explain the significance and symbolism of the Protoevangelium.

Standard 1.2 Examine how God prepared the Hebrew people for Jesus Christ. Objective 1.2a Define . Objective 1.2b Relate the significance of the covenants that God makes with , , and David, and how they will be fulfilled by Christ. Objective 1.2c Outline other key events (Exodus, exile, etc.) in Old Testament salvation history. Objective 1.3d Analyze how God prepared the way for Christ through Mary and Joseph.

Standard 1.3 Examine the significance of Christ’s Incarnation. Objective 1.3a Give reasons for God’s becoming human. Objective 1.3b Explain how Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.

Unit 2: The Kingdom of God and the Paschal Mystery

Standard 2.1 Analyze how Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God. Objective 2.1a Define the Kingdom of God. Objective 2.1b Identify how Jesus perfects the Old Law in the Sermon on the Mount. Objective 2.1c Identify which virtues Christ calls us to, and how they are (or are not) lived out today. Objective 2.1d Analyze the respective deeper meanings of Christ’s parables. Objective 2.1e Analyze how Christ heals in His miracles, during his earthly life and today. Objective 2.1f Relate the significance of the new covenant, instituted by Christ in the Eucharist.

Standard 2.2 Explain how Christ saved us, in the Paschal Mystery. Objective 2.2a Compare the different Gospels’ perspectives on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Objective 2.2b Define Christology and what the evangelists’ different perspectives on Christ say about his humanity and his divinity. Objective 2.2c Compare the different accounts. Objective 2.3d Analyze different reasons to believe in the Resurrection.

Unit 3: Applying Salvation: Holiness, Prayer, and the Problem of Suffering

Standard 3.1 Apply theodicy to the problem of human suffering. Objective 3.1a Identify different reasons given to explain the problem of evil and suffering in a world created by a good and omnipotent God. Objective 3.1b Relate the sufferings of Job to theodicy. Objective 3.1c Relate how the suffering of modern-day martyrs, including Bl. Stanley Rother, is redemptive.

Standard 3.2 Describe how holiness can be achieved, through prayer and the Christian life. Objective 3.2a Define holiness and its sources. Objective 3.2b Apply how 10th grade students can imitate Christ as priest, prophet, and king. Objective 3.2c Determine how one’s own “spirituality personality” relates to God. Objective 3.2d Define and practice prayer: its forms, expressions, and obstacles.