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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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