Ecclesiology
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Term 071 
  ---   Fr. Tim McFarland, C.PP.S., Ph.D.

OBJECTIVES:
To examine the biblical, historical and theological foundations of the Church of Christ in the world. One of the ways we will accomplish this is by examining the models of the Church. Special attention will be paid to the mission, and ministry of the Church; also the prospects for dialogue with other churches and religions. We will examine the role of the Spirit in the formation and development of the Church. We will also discuss the relationship between the universal Church, the local church and parish churches. The goal is for the student to better understanding of the nature of
and what it means to be Church both now and in the future.

TEXTS: Two texts will be used:
Models of the Church (Rev. ed.), Avery Dulles, SJ
Church: Community for the Kingdom John Fuellenbach
Online:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church ¶ 748-945
         

REQUIREMENTS
There will be a final oral exam.

Four short papers will be required:

  1. A 4-5 page paper evaluating the models of the Church (50 points)
  2. A three page article summary and critique (25 points).
  3. A short reflection paper 6-8 pages, on your vision of the "Future Church" (75 points).
  4. A 6-8 page "interview" paper. I would like you to "interview" a priest, minister or pastor of another religious denomination and present your findings in the form of a short reflection paper and presentation  (100 points).

I also expect your attendance at class meeting and to participate in our discussion on the readings. Since the class meets only once a week more than one unexcused absence will result in a 1/2 final letter grade deduction.

Calendar

August

20 -- Introduction, Dulles 1-25 
27 -- Dulles, 26-80

September

  4 - No Class (Labor Day)
10 -- Dulles, 81-94; 195-217
17 -- Dulles, 95-129; CDF statement (06/29/07) Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church 
24 -- Dulles, 130-180                                                                                     Paper: Evaluation of Model

October

  1 -- Dulles, 181-194; Appendix
  8 -- Fuellenbach, 1-66
15 -- Fuellenbach, 67-90
22 -- Fuellenbach, 93-107                                                                               Article Summary & Report Due
29 -- Fuellenbach, 108 -166

November

  5 -- Fuellenbach, 167- 207
12 -- Fuellenbach, 208-end                                                                              Interview/Presentations Due
                                                                       --Thanksgiving Break--
26 -- Gaudium et Spes 

December

 3  --review & catch-up                                                                                   Paper: Future Church
10 - Exam Week (oral exams)

Some Useful References

Papal Pronouncements
The Catholic Encyclopedia
Sacramentum Mundi
Encyclopedia of Religion
Documents of Vatican II
Directory of American Religions
Handbook of Denominations in The United States
Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches
The Catholic Directory
The Catholic Periodical Index
Several Journals
Theology Today
Theological Studies
Origins
The Pope Speaks
New Theology Review

Internet Links
   Here are some internet resources that may be helpful to students in Ecclesiology.  There are also some located on the links page.

Catholic Documents This site from Canada, has several links to useful documents, including: Catechisms, Counciliar Documents, Church Fathers, Theologians and Philosophers.
Papal Documents Here's a link to read many of the papal encyclicals.
Documents of Vatican II A rather interesting site, containing the summarized and edited documents of Vatican II (obviously?). Of particular note for our purposes is the commentary and assessment of the Decree on Ecumenism. See also: Ad Gentes, Dignitatas Humanis, Gaudium et Spes, and Lumen Gentium.
APS Resources Some good links to Catholic sources and other denominations.
Ut Unam Sint The text of John Paul II's 1995 encyclical on ecumenism.
Built of Living Stones: Art Architecture and Worship  A recent (November 2000) document on Church Art and Architecture.  Definitely worth a look.
Dominus Jesus From the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (August 2000) on the relationship between Catholics and other Christian faiths.
Response to some questions on Doctrine of the Church This document issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fath on June 29, 2007 created quite a stir in the public media.
Syllabus of Errors  

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Page created 01/05/98
Page updated 10/27/2007 by
T. McFarland, C.PP.S. Assoc. Prof. of Religion
Saint Joseph's College.
Questions of comments about this page -- email timm@saintjoe.edu