Catholic Perspectives on the History of the Church
This seminar will focus on the origins and development of the Catholic church. Topics to be covered include: the life of Jesus, the apostles and the early church, the church in the Roman empire, the Reformation, church councils, and the modern church hierarchy. Resources will be Scripture, church documents, and historical works. The sessions will be held at 9-11 a.m. in the Convent on September 13, 20, and 27, and October 4, 11, and 18. Seminar leaders will be Prof. Greg Hussey and Prof. Jim Bolner, Sr. For more information please write to jimbolnersr@cox.net or phone 766.5987.
Tentative Outline
I. Jesus and the Founding of the Church
The Promise of a Savior
Jesus: biography
Jesus: teachings
The New Testament
II. The Apostles and the Early Church
The Twelve
St. Paul
The Early Christians
Bishops, Priests, and Deacons
III. Church Councils and the Papacy
Major Councils
Theological Questions
Schisms and Conflicts
IV. The Church in the Roman Empire
Persecutions
The Christian Religion Becomes the State Religion
The Holy Roman Empire and the Papal States
The Monastic Movement
V. The Reformation
Background
Church Policies and the Rise of Protestantism
The Counter-Reformation
VI. Vatican II and Current Challenges and Issues
The Modern Papacy
Bishops and Priests
Resources
The 11th to the 13th Centuries: Innocent III and The Great Schism
Ecumenical Councils of the Church [http://www.catholicism.org/pages/ecumenic.htm]
Major Councils of the Church [http://www.dailycatholic.org/history/councils.htm#rc-21]
The Catechism - Text on Authority in the Church [From the Vatican website]
The Code of Canon Law (1983) [Second Site: The Code of Canon Law]
The College of Cardinals (http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals.asp)The Roman Curia (http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/curia.asp)
Thomas J. Reese, S.J., "Papal Transition" (America, October 24, 2003)
Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., "The Papacy for a Global Church" (America, July 15, 2000)
Francis A. Sullivan "The Magisterium in the New Millennium" (America, August 27, 2001)
Frederick W. Gluck, "Crisis Management in the Church" (America, December 1, 2003)James D. Davidson, "Fewer and Fewer" (America, December 1, 2003)
Jane Lampman, "The Ongoing Evolution of Christianity" (The Christian Science Monitor, May 15, 2003. [Discusses the work of Elaine Pagels.]
General Resources
Catholic.net
The Catechism of the Catholic Church [Vatican website]The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church - Lumen Gentium
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World - Gaudium et Spes
Catholic Resources on the InternetReligious Resources on the Internet
Voice of the FaithfulMichael Paulson, "Bishops may punish politicians: Proabortion position of Catholic lawmakers a source of frustration," The Boston Globe, November 11, 2003
