Ecclesiology

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to the theology of the Church and the Church’s understanding of itself as a principal mediator of the mystery and grace of God in the world.

The approach of the course will be threefold: 1) a study of the historical development of ecclesial structures with special emphasis on understanding the ecclesiology of the second Vatican Council. This will include, a discussion of some pertinent issues arising from the Council such as the magisterium, collegiality, and ministry; 2) an understanding of the diverse ‘theologies’ of Church through some of the primary images and models in which it understands itself; and 3) an attempt to understand the ecumenical emphasis of Vatican II that has given rise to a renewed interest in interdenominational—interreligious dialogue, mission and inculturation, and the emergence of contextual approaches such as the feminist and liberationist methodologies.

Course Objectives

Basic Degree:

• Students will be able to identify basic terms and themes in ecclesiology for students moving toward comprehensive exams and those wanting a basic introduction to the theology of the Church
• Students will become familiar with some of the principle players in contemporary ecclesiological reflection
• Students will be able to reflect critically on the foundations for a systematic ecclesiology
• Students will be able to identify some of the methodological issues involved for a post-Vatican II theology of Church and the advancement of the social teaching of the Church

Advanced Degree:

• Students will begin to understand the historical and theological underpinnings of the Church’s self-constitution, nature and mission
• Student’s will be able to critically engage principal authors in ecclesiology
• Students will creatively engage some of the tensions arising from this paradigm shift in the Church’s self-understanding at Vatican II
• Students will learn various methodologies of some of the prominent ecclesiologies
• Students will be able to write a book review and work towards a scholarly published research

Course Schedule

A detailed course schedule is available for download.