Theology

The first semester of Theology 9 | Sacred Scripture lays the foundation for the study of theology, introduces the Bible, and surveys the story of the development of the people of Israel. It sets up the second semester, which further details the anticipation for the messiah and then ultimately explores Jesus’ birth, ministry, saving death and resurrection. The course concludes by introducing the early Christian Church that developed from Jesus’ ministry and teachings, which segues into the study of Church History in 10th grade.

This course is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge of the mission and history of the Catholic Church and the Sacraments from apostolic times to the present day. We begin our study with the establishment of the Church by Jesus Christ through the Apostles and its evolution through history with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We will consider the religious, political, economic, and social tensions that affected the Church over time. In addition, we will learn about significant men and women who defined the nature and role of the Church in each period of history.

In this course, students will develop an understanding of the human person’s desire for divine happiness as well as the roles that human freedom and just law play in satisfying that desire. Students will explore the necessity of grace and objective truth in enabling human beings to live moral lives both individually and collectively which nurture one's communion with God, others, and creation. Students will learn the philosophical and moral concepts used to make authentic choices rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The purpose of this course is to help students understand how the Catholic Church relates to non-Catholic Christians as well as to other religions of the world. Building on the foundational truth that Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and using a comparative and empathetic approach, we recognize the ways in which important spiritual truths can be found in non-Catholic Christian churches as well as in non-Christian religions. It is also intended to help students recognize the ways in which other systems of belief and practice differ from the Catholic faith.

The Christian Life is a senior theology course that will focus on preparing students to live out their vocation as a member of the Body of Christ. We will begin by exploring the universal call to holiness and a Christian approach to spirituality. Specifically, we will look at the challenges of living a Christian life in a secular world. Together, students will explore various aspects of Christian spirituality such as membership in the Church, sexuality, and the Christian approach to grappling with suffering and death. We will conclude the course with a close examination of Catholic Social Teaching and what it means to live as a disciple of Christ in a global community. Students will be encouraged to engage in a thoughtful examination of their lives, identities, and relationship with Christ and his Church.