The Nature and Mission of the Church
Fall 2007
Course: TH 3463 Time: TTH 8:00-9:10 a.m.
Instructor: Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., S.T.D., Assistant Professor of Theology
Telephone: (O & H) 878-5463 (Please, no calls after 10:00 p.m.)
E-mail: abbotlawrence@stgregorys.edu
Office: Abbot’s Office, Monastery
Web-site: http://intranet.stgregorys.edu/people/faculty/frlawrence/default.htm
Hours: My schedule is somewhat variable as Abbot and Chancellor. I am generally in my office at the monastery from 10:00 to 11:50 a.m., and from 1:00-4:00 p.m. I am, however, often in meetings or off campus for various monastery and university related business. Spontaneity is good, but appointments are often necessary. I am pleased to set appointments in the evening if necessary.
Course Description: An exploration of the Christian understanding of the Church, including a study of New Testament images and historical models of the Church, the ministerial structures of the Church, and the Church’s call to be both “a sign and instrument” of the Kingdom of God. Special attention will be given to the Vatican Council II documents Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes. Prerequisite: TH1323 and TH2413.
Objectives of the Course:
During the semester, the course will
1. cover the topics for the course as listed in the catalogue;
2. examine the historical development of the self-understanding of the Church, beginning with the community that gathered during the earthly ministry of Jesus and continuing through the period immediately following the Second Vatican Council;
3. focus particular attention on the “marks” of the Church as being “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” as articulated in the Nicene Creed;
4. challenge students to utilize primary and secondary sources to analyze the relationship of the Catholic Church with other Christian faith communities;
5. closely examine the dogmatic and pastoral constitutions of the Catholic Church promulgated by the Second Vatican Council.
Goals of the Course:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to
1. identify the seminal beginnings of the Church in the New Testament;
2. describe the historical development of the self-understanding of the Catholic church and its implications for the hierarchical structure and liturgical worship of the Church;
3. provide theological reflection on the four “marks” of the Church – unity, sanctity, universality and apostolicity;
4. articulate the basic ecclesiology underlying the teachings of the Second Vatican Council;
5. analyze the ecclesiology of a Christian denomination or ecclesial community other than Catholicism in light of the understanding of the marks of the Church espoused by the Catholic faith tradition;
6. contextualize the possibilities or parameters of ecumenical dialogue in light of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.
Course Outline
Part One: A Light to the Nations: The Church according to the Second Vatican Council
Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Part Two: The Genesis and Development of Ecclesiology
Part Three: The Four Hallmarks of the Church according to Nicaea and Rome
Part Four: The Relevance of the Church Today: The Vision of the Second Vatican Council
Gaudium et Spes, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
Required Resources / Textbooks:
Bible
Prusak, Bernard P. The Church Unfinished: Ecclesiology throughout the Centuries. New York: Paulist 2004. ISBN 0-8091-4286-4.
Sullivan, Francis A. S.J. The Church We Believe In, One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic. New York: Paulst 1988. ISBN 0-8901-3039-4.
The Documents of Vatican II – Especially Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes. Available online at a number of sites, including: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
Other readings as assigned by the instructor
Recommended Texts:
Doyle, Dennis. The Church Emerging from Vatican II, A Popular Apprach to Contemporary Catholicism. Revised Edition. New London, CT: Twenty Third 2006. ISBN 13:978-89622-507-7.
Dulles, Avery Robert. Models of the Church. Expanded Edition. New York: Doubleday 2002. ISBN 0-385-13368-5.
Gaillardetz, Richard R. The Church in the Making, Lumen Gentium, Christus Dominus, Orientalium Ecclesiarum. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist 2006. ISBN: 0-8091-4276-7.
Tanner, Norman. The Church and the World, Gaudium et Spes, Inter Mirifica. Rediscovering Vatican II. Mahweh, NJ: Paulist 2005. ISBN 0-8091-4238-4.
Method of Student Evaluation
1. Four written examinations: 40% of final grade
2. Three reflection papers: 25% of final grade
3. Major written assignment: 20% of final grade
4. Class attendance, homework and participation: 15% of final grade
Written assignments will be evaluated on content and form (proper English, including spelling and grammar), appropriate research and documentation. Assignments are due on the date scheduled. Assignments turned in late are subject to a deduction of one letter grade. Unless other arrangements are made, assignments will not be accepted if they are more than one week (two class periods) late and a zero, “0”, will be applied to the student’s grade for that assignment.
Examinations are to be taken when scheduled. If absence from an examination is foreseen, arrangements must be made in advance and the student should understand that a different version of the exam will be offered.
The grade for attendance, homework (daily assignments) and participation will be counted as either “complete” or “incomplete” for each day. Other assignments will be calculated on a scale of 1-59, F; 60-69, D; 70-79, C; 80-89, B; 90-100, A.
Class attendance:
Students are expected to attend every class and to participate in class discussions. In order to receive full credit for attendance, the student must exhibit that s/he has prepared adequately for class. Daily homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period for which they are assigned and cannot be accepted late. The instructor is to be informed in advance of absences if they will be excused. Use of chat-rooms and/or the playing of computer games during the class period, unless such activity is assigned, will constitute an absence from class.
Policy on Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
St. Gregory’s University is an equal opportunity, co-educational and Catholic institution of higher learning. It is open to students and faculty of all faiths, and does not discriminate in admissions or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin or veteran status.
ADA Policy
St. Gregory’s University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Please present your written accommodation request to the Dean of Students prior to the end of the first week of classes.
Tentative Class Schedule
August 21 First Day of Class
Pre-assessment
Class Policies and Procedures
Part One: A Light to the Nations: The Church according to Vatican II – Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
August 23 The Mystery of the Church
Please read: Lumen Gentium I
August 28 The People of God
Please read: Lumen Gentium II
August 30 The Structure of the Church
Please read: Lumen Gentium III - IV
September 4 The Holiness of the Church
Please read: Lumen Gentium V-VI
September 6 The Goal of the Church
Please read: Lumen Gentium VII-VIII
September 11 Exam One
Part Two: The Genesis and Development of Ecclesiology
September 13 The Biblical Origins of the Church
Please read: Prusak, Introduction and Chapter 1
September 18 The Church of the Apostolic Period
Please read: Prusak, Chapter 2
** Reflection Paper One Due **
September 20 Forming the “Great Church”
Please read: Prusak, Chapter 3
September 25 The Beginning of the Modern Church
Please Read: Prusak, Chapter 4
September 27 Research Day
Abbot Lawrence Away from Campus
October 2 Rushing toward Modernity
Please read: Prusak, Chapter 5
October 4 Arriving at Vatican II
Please read: Prusak, Chapter 6
October 9 Open Day
October 10 Exam Two
Part Three: The Four Hallmarks of the Church according to Nicaea and Rome
October 16 The Power of the Word “Subsist”
Please read: Sullivan, Chapters 1 & 2
October 18 Fall Break
** Reflection Paper Two Due **
October 23 The Church is One
Please read: Sullivan, Chapter 3
October 25 The Church is Holy
Please read: Sullivan, Chapter 4
October 30 The Church is Catholic (Universal)
Please read: Sullivan, Chapter 5 & 6
November 1 The Church is Catholic (Universal), continued
Please read: Sullivan, Chapter 7
November 6 The Church is Apostolic
Please read: Sullivan, Chapters 8 & 9
November 8 Review Day
November 13 Exam Three
Part Four: The Relevance of the Church Today: The Vision of the Second Vatican Council – Gaudium et Spes, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
November 15 A Vision of the Modern World
Please Read Gaudium et Spes 1-45
November 20 Issues Facing the Modern World
Please Read Gaudium et Spes 46- 93
November 22 Thanksgiving Day
November 27 Student Presentations
November 29 Research Day – Abbot Lawrence away from Campus
December 4 Student Presentations
December 6 Last Day of Class
** Reflection Paper Three Due**
December 10 Final Exam: 8:00 a.m.
** Major Paper Due by Date of Examination**