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Saint John's Seminary

School

Saint John's Seminary

OT502

Prophets, Psalms, and Wisdom

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

SP25

This course prepares students to read the biblical text in a scholarly manner with an ecclesial spirit. Account is taken of modern scholarship, while reading the inspired text from the heart of the Church. Relevant Church documents are referenced. The nature of Hebrew poetry is investigated, with its eminent suitability as a theological medium. The literary, historical, and theological dimensions of the Old Testament are discussed through exegetical study of selected texts. In no way bypassing the literal and historical senses of the text, that the New Testament is "hidden in the Old" that Christ is the "measure" of Scripture is not overlooked. Emphasis is placed upon the theological, spiritual, and pastoral message of these life-giving texts. Since Scripture is the "soul of theology," a solid understanding of these texts will benefit preaching and catechesis.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Briody

MWF

9:00-9:50 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

NT500

New Testament

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

SP25

This course will provide students with a broad overview of the social, political, and religious world of the New Testament and of central issues in New Testament interpretation such as the quest for the histor-ical Jesus, the relationship between the four gospels, the role of Paul in the emerging Christian move-ment, and the centrality of the resurrection to the life and theology of the early Church. After studying these foundational topics, we will move on to survey key books of the New Testament, taking into account the literary, historical, and theological significance of these texts. All classes will meet in person at Saint John's Hall.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Achu

Alternating Saturdays

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 15, Mar. 29, April 12, Apr. 26, May 10

School

Saint John's Seminary

HT501

Patristics

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

SP25

This course surveys_the development of the_early Church from the first century through the sixth_century. Readings, lectures, and class discussion introduce the student to the theologies, teaching, and personalities of the early Christian period.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Staley-Joyce

TR

9:00-10:15 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

CH502

Church History II

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

SP25

This survey course aims to introduce students to the history of the Catholic Church from the beginning of the sixteenth century to the present day. Through an examination of the historical narrative, including its key periods, movements, and figures, students will come to a deeper understanding of the history of the Catholic Church in the modern period.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Coughlin

MF

10:30-11:45 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

LT402

Elementary Latin II

BTI Category

Semester

Languages

SP25

It is assumed that the student has had no formal instruction in Latin or has had only one or two years of high school Latin. The course will introduce students to Latin grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. (1.5 credits are earned per semester at the graduate level.)

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Stamm

MW

3:30-4:45PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

TH505

God: One and Three

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

SP25

The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the revelation that the one God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Seeking to understand the Trinitarian faith requires a consideration both of what is common to the Three Persons, as well as of what is proper to each._We will read selections from the first 43 questions of the first part of the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas, which systematically unfolds the doctrine of God, as well as the Scriptural revelation and the historical development of the Church's understanding of the doctrine of God._We will pay special attention to the spiritual analogy for the processions in God (Augustine and Aquinas), while also exploring the complementary path into the imago Trinitatis emphasized by Vatican II that focuses on the_communion of persons (Richard of St. Victor, John-Paul II)._ We will end with a consideration of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Trinitarian theology. Throughout the course, discussion will include how the doctrine of the Trinity consolidates and summarizes all the truths of the Faith.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Franks

TR

10:30-11:45 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

TH551

Ecclesiology

BTI Category

Semester

Church Polity/Canon Law

SP25

This is a systematic study of the nature and mission of the Church, emphasizing particularly the vocation and mission of the baptized. All classes will meet in person at Saint John's Hall.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. O'Connor

Alternating Saturdays

8:30 AM -12:30 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 15, Mar. 29, April 12, Apr. 26, May 10

School

Saint John's Seminary

MT611

Specialized Questions on the Virtues

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

This course will consider particular questions on the theological and moral virtues. Students will engage in a close reading of selected passages from St. Thomas Aquinas's_Summa theologiae. Special attention will be paid to the often neglected virtues of religion and related virtues of justice, truthfulness, affability, and magnanimity. Students will also consider the pastoral applications of how to assist those entrusted to their care to cultivate these virtues of Chrisian living.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Connors

T

2:45-4:45 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

BL614

The Holy Spirit in the Bible: Biblical Foundations of Christian Pneumatology

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

SP25

This course is an initial survey of references to God's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) in the Old and New Testaments. Individual texts of the two Testaments will be read and discussed in context, but also in the light of the Church's doctrine regarding the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity as expressed, e.g., in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The course will explore issues in Pneumatology from a biblical perspective. Through a close reading of the relevant biblical texts, the course will expose the student to the biblical bases of such theological topics as: Holy Spirit and Prophecy in the New and Old Testaments, Holy Spirit and the Charisms in the New Testament, Sin against the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit and Christ, The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and The Holy Spirit in the Economy of Salvation._ The course will show how the Catholic doctrine on the Holy Spirit is balanced, rich and comprehensive compared to historical and contemporary Spirit-movements and aberrations which have lacked magisterial guidance. The student will gain from this course a good first exposure to the biblical foundations of Catholic Pneumatology.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Maluf

R

2:45-4:45 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

NT502

The Letter of Saint Paul

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

SP25

The class will pursue a close exegetical analysis of the letters, with particular attention to the historical setting, style, author and audience, political and social issues. The course will also develop the student's ability to integrate Paul's perspective meaningfully into preaching, teaching, and theological reflection.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Achu

MWF

11:00-11:50 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

CH500

Church History

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

SP25

This course presents a survey of Church history, from the first century to the present day. Special attention will be given to major events, figures, and movements that helped to shape the life of the Church over time. This course is a hybrid course of alternating in-person classes at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Center in Newton and online meetings using the Canvas learning platform.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Coughlin

R

7:15-9:15 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

GK403

Introduction to New Testament Greek

BTI Category

Semester

Languages

SP25

The class will give students the grammar, vocabulary, and confidence to read the New Testament in Greek. It will offer considerable focus on structure and syntax, with special attention to words and phrases that are rich in_theological meaning. By the end of the course, the student will know 80% of the New Testament vocabulary, the verbal system, and basic grammar and be able to read sections of the Gospel of John easily. (1.5 credits are earned per semester at the graduate level.)

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Grover, O.M.V.

WF

1:15-2:30 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

TH503

Ecclesiology

BTI Category

Semester

Church Polity/Canon Law

SP25

This course is a systematic study of the foundation, nature, structure and mission of the Church. The course follows the treatment of themes found in the Vatican II Constitution Lumen Gentium, and gives particular emphasis to the revealed doctrine of the necessity of the Church, the holiness of the Church, and the relation of the Church to other faiths and to the temporal order.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Franks

TR

1:15-2:30 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

TH516

Trinity/Christology

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

SP25

This course will lead students to a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Triune God and of Jesus Christ, through a reflection upon Scripture, Tradition, and the contributions of key theologians. Additional topics in soteriology will be explored. Theologians covered will include St. Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas, Luther, and Pope St. John Paul II. Using the theo-drama of Hans Urs von Balthasar, students will learn to enunciate the relation of mission and evangelization to Christology. This course is a hybrid course of alternating in-person classes at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Center in Newton and online meetings using the Canvas learning platform.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Franks

R

5:00-7:00 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

THMT616

Spiritual Theology

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

SP25

This course explores the primary ways in which divine grace acts upon human nature as a person experiences deepening union with God. Traversing the purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways, the student will better understand the changing dynamics of prayer, asceticism, virtue, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the Christian life. Particular attention will be given to the works of Thomas Aquinas, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross.__

Professor

Class Day & Time

Fr. Stamm

TR

9:00-10:15 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Saint John's Seminary

MM600

The Temporal Goods of the Church

BTI Category

Semester

Church Polity/Canon Law

SP25

This course will study the canon law of the Church on temporal goods relative to their acquisition, administration, and alienation, with emphasis on the parish situation. Prerequisite: Canon Law or its equivalent.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Prof. Shanklin

TR

9:00-10:15 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

Prerequisite: Canon law or its equivalent.

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