Individual courses

This course will look at some issues of theological controversy between East and West (e.g. Filioque) and some areas of doctrine and practice traditionally distinctive of Eastern Christianity (e.g. theology of the icon), as well as areas of theology and church life that show especial vitality today. Through a variety of readings, including some patristic and liturgical texts, it will try to convey the connections between spiritual life and worship, theology, and the response of the Church to the world.

This course explores the mystery of the Church as seen in the light of Vatican II. The basic document is Lumen Gentium. The aim is to examine questions regarding origin, nature, structure, and mission of the Church. At the end of the course, the students will have a better understanding of the the nature, the structure, the work of the Church, and a better understanding of the ecclesiological teaching of the Second Vatican Council.
 

In the lives of the sains lifes " lives" the Christian vision of God, man, and the world which stand all​ out very clearly. Men can learn almost as much about the real meaning of Christianity from the legends of the saints produced within the tradition of the Church as from the authentic lives themselves. Through the reading and studying the lifes of the saints​ who arrived before us in the promised land​, we came to know how God works in the daily lives of Christians and how faith can be lived not only in good times but especially during persecution and suffering. This helps us to appreciate more our faith and make us grow in loving our brothers as part of God's providence.

As reasoned discourse about God ecumenical theology is focussing on God’s will for unity among Christians. In brief words we can even say: Ecumenical theology is theological reflection on the unity of the Church as it is willed by God. And as a way of reflection of the Christian faith on its own nature, ecumenical theology is dealing with the different theologies being in dialogue with one another in the ecumenical movement. Ecumenical theology tries to bring these different theologies into a dialogue.

Considering that the divine revelation always takes place in the form of symbols and within human experience, I also study O’Collins’ understanding of symbols and experience, and their relationship with the divine revelation.

How can we access the reality of revelation when both symbols and experience are historically, socially,and religiously conditioned and limited? What is the role of symbols in both the communication of the divine revelation by God and its experience by human beings?

There are many different spiritual pathways that were born in the Indian sub-continent: Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, for example, and others that came to India such as Christian and Muslim. Hindu spirituality which represents the spiritual quest of the vast majority of the people of India is rooted in the relentless and uninterrupted search of the seers from the Indian sub-continent.

Like all movements, ecumenism had its beginnings and thus it has a history to be studied. History helps us to see the evolution and growth of The ecumenical movement in seeking to recover the apostolic sense of the early church for unity in diversity while it confronts the frustrations, difficulties, and ironies of the modern pluralistic world. It is a lively reassessment of the historical sources and destiny of what followers perceive to be the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of Jesus Christ.

This course gives a survey on the Catholic tradition by examining a series of documents like Lumen Gentium and other documents of Vatican II to show that the Catholic Church does not possess one rite only, but that she embraces all the ancient rites of Christendom and thus her unity consists not in a mechanical uniformity of all her parts, but on the contrary, in their variety, according in one principle and vivified by it. The readings of the documents enable to see the Church’s intent to move always in the direction of unity.

This course helps us to get in touch and explore with the this 16th century religious movement the originated in western Europe over against the prevailing Roman Catholicism. Conceived originally by its leaders in northern Europe and British Isles as a reform of Catholicism, it soon broke with the Catholic Church. This course explores and studies various documents like The Augsburg Confession, the Second Helvetic Confession, the Strassburg Liturgy to get an appreciation of of the reformed theological and liturgical trends.

In order to have a better understanding of Dupuis’ viewpoints, the study will put side-by-side Dupuis’ ideas and those of pluralism, exclusivism and inclusivism. For this reason, the three approaches to the theology of religions will be briefly discussed. Likewise, the study also briefly presents the understanding of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) concerning the issues raised.

The Unique and Universal Mediation of Jesus Christ in Relation to the Theology of Religions

To examine more profoundly questions regarding Mary’s role by examining her presence in the Gospels, her place in the Christian Tradition, the history of her four dogmas, and of liturgy and devotions, the apparitions, the rosary and her place in contemporary theology.

Ecumenical dialogue requires a methodology to move from disagreement to consensus. The aim of this methodology is to allow participants to avoid the pitfalls of terminological confusion and to understand how to move from initial convergence to practical agreements. Ecumenical methods also include the understanding of ecumenical guidelines and the ‘art’ of drafting joint statements. This is a multi-disciplinary course whose objective is to provide practical and innovative perspectives for all those interested in ecumenical progress, both locally and through formal institutional mechanisms.

Common elements of Monasticism in Myanmar Buddhism and in the Latin Catholic Church, in preparation for an Interreligious Dialogue : a Comparative Study

While the ecumenical movement can be regarded as something that has made great strides to bridge the divides that have existed between Christians, it is undeniable that this movement still meets great opposition from many Christians today. This opposition has come from those within the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions respectively, and each seem to have their own unique justifications for their unfavorable views of modern ecumenism.

Philosophy of religion is also known as philosophical theology or philosophy of God. Other names include natural theology and theodicy.

The validation of the course is done at the end of the second part

Philosophy of religion is also known as philosophical theology or philosophy of God. Other names include natural theology and theodicy.

This course introduces to the history of the text of the Quran, to its language and style, and to the traditional "Qur'anic sciences".

This course introduces to the history of the text of the Quran, to its language and style, and to the traditional "Qur'anic sciences".

Thomas never refers to Muslims by their name. Given that, as was already stated, Islam in Mediaeval times was not considered as another religion different from Christianity, but rather as a heresy or some aberrant form of the Christian faith...