Theology 8 - Catholicism in the World

Course: Theology 8 - Catholicism in the World (Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue) Overview: After reviewing the core lessons of previous Bishop Kelley theology courses, students will compare the Catholic faith with that of other Christian communities, with a view toward ecumenism. In the second half of the course, students will compare the Catholic faith with several important world religions outside of Christianity, with a view toward interreligious dialogue.

Review of Catholicism

Standard 1.1 Sum up the core beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith. Objective 1.1a Identify what makes Catholics Christian in terms of what we believe about God. Objective 1.1b Identify how Catholics’ relating to God (through worship/liturgy/prayer) is Christian and distinctively Catholic. Objective 1.1c Identify the characteristics and organization of the Catholic Church as the Body of Christ. Objective 1.1d Identify how Catholic morality is Christian and distinctively Catholic. Objective 1.1e Analyze how Holy Family Cathedral’s history, art, and architecture reflect the Catholic belief and practice of the Diocese of Tulsa.

Ecumenism

Standard 2.1 Examine the reasons for and process of ecumenism. Objective 2.1a Identify the scriptural reasons for pursuing ecumenism. Objective 2.1b Analyze the guiding principles of ecumenism, as outlined in Unitatis Redintegratio. Objective 2.1c Evaluate how ecumenism is to be practiced, as outlined in Unitatis Redintegratio.

Standard 2.2 Explain how the Catholic Church orthodoxy emerged from early Christian conflicts. Objective 2.2a Identify early ecumenical councils that formed orthodoxy. Objective 2.2b Identify early heresies and schisms that led to or resulted from ecumenical councils.

Standard 2.3 Compare Catholicism with Eastern Orthodoxy. Objective 2.3a Analyze the history of the separation and eventual break between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Objective 2.3b Compare the Eastern / Byzantine Catholic rite with the Roman Catholic rite. Objective 2.3c Evaluate contemporary ecumenical problems and opportunities arising between Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Standard 2.4 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Protestants. Objective 2.4a Relate the history of Martin Luther and how/why he broke from communion with the Catholic Church. Objective 2.4b Summarize the principal differences in belief and practice between Protestant communities and the Catholic Church. Objective 2.4c Relate the story and significance of King Henry VIII, St. Thomas More, and the Anglican Schism. Objective 2.4d Defend Catholic Church beliefs and practices in response to common Protestant objections to the Catholic faith.

Standard 2.5 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Pentecostals and Charismatic Christianity. Objective 2.5a Connect Charismatic Christian beliefs to both Scripture and local institutions such as Oral Roberts University. Objective 2.5b Evaluate whether the Prosperity Gospel is Scriptural / within the bounds of Catholic tradition and belief. Objective 2.5c Analyze Catholic Charismatic beliefs and practices.

Interreligious Dialogue

Standard 3.1 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Judaism. Objective 3.1a Create a short history that tells the story of the Jewish people up to the time of Christ. Objective 3.1b Apply Orthodox Jewish observances of Shabbat with Catholic sabbath day practice. Objective 3.1c Examine how Jesus Christ, the Eucharist, etc. are the fulfillment of Jewish priests, prophets, kings, holy days, worship, etc.

Standard 3.2 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Islam. Objective 3.2a Compare the Muslim understanding of Allah to the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ. Objective 3.2b Categorize and relate to each other essential persons, places, events, practices, and authorities in the Muslim world. Objective 3.2c Defend common Muslim criticisms of Christianity, and common Christian criticisms of Islam.

Standard 3.3 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Hinduism. Objective 3.3a Analyze the deep differences between Western and Hindu understandings of God (transcendent vs. immanent) and time (one direction vs. circular). Objective 3.3b Describe how the trimurti and other deities reflect the Brahman. Objective 3.3c Analyze how Hindu ideas and practices (such as karma, yoga, and Holi) have influenced Western society.

Standard 3.4 Compare Catholic beliefs and practices with those of Buddhism. Objective 3.4a Relate the Buddha’s personal history to his dissatisfaction with Hindu meditation and the caste system. Objective 3.4b Define nirvana in the context of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Objective 3.4c Compare Theravada Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism. Objective 3.4d Compare the Buddhist response to the problem of suffering with the Christian one.

Standard 3.5 Relate the major world religions to each other across time and place. Objective 3.5a Analyze the Catholic response to different world religions through a study of Nostra Aetate. Objective 3.5b Map the prevalence of different religion across the globe. Objective 3.5c Plot the emergence of different religious traditions on a timeline.