THEO3334 Appreciating God's Presence: Exploring Christian Sacraments

2012

4.5

1 x 2-hour seminar weekly

1 1 of THEO2314, THEO2301
1a Admission into GCTHS-Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies
1b Admission into GDPTHS-Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies
1c Admission into MTHS-Master of Theological Studies
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c))

THEO3310 has been successfully completed

This topic explores the concepts of Sacrament and Sacramentality and the meaning of the sacramental rituals of the Christian Churches. It investigates the scriptural beginnings of these concepts and their historical and theological development, leading to an exploration of sacraments today in the ecumenical context. Reinterpreting Creation as sacrament and Redemption in Jesus Christ as Sacrament of God are foundational to the theology of this topic. Such foundations lead to the context for all sacramental life in the church - Church as the sacrament of Christ. Particular emphasis will be given to the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist

The aims of this topic are to:

• show how the scriptural beginnings of sacrament lead to the diverse richness of the tradition and to ecumenical ramifications
• reinterpret the world as "universal" sacrament, Jesus as the "primal" sacrament and the church as "basic" sacrament
• demonstrate and encourage faith in the sacramental rituals used by the churches
• show how understandings of sacramentality have changed throughout history
• to situate the sacramental system in the evangelising, pastoral mission of Church life

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• recognise and explain the anthropological, liturgical, scriptural, historical and theological dimensions of sacraments and sacramentality
• outline a theology of celebration that will revitalise sacramental practice in the churches today
• situate the Sacraments and their celebration in the catechizing, evangelising, pastoral mission of Church life