Dogmatics I

Dogmatics is the branch of theology which tries give an analytical reflection on Christian doctrine. The goal of this course is to present the teaching of the Church concerning these topics in their historical context in order to develop the ability to formulate the christian doctrine as relevant as possible for the present age.
The courses of the first semester are going about the self-definition of dogmatics, the doctrine concerning revelation, Holy Scipture, faith, God and His attributes, and the first part of anthropology.

Competences

Specific competences

The student will be able to analyze and interpret the content of the Christian faith, and can apply it on different fields of ministry.

General competences

After having acquainted with the main topics of dogmatics, the student will be able to confess the actuality of christian faith in the contemporary cultural medium.

Course structure

# Title
1 The name, concept and content of dogmatics; creed and dogma; the relation of dogmatics to the other branches of theology; its four characteristics: according to contents reproductive and productive, in its form scientific and existential
2 The nature of the theological language: analogy, metaphor, accomodation.
3 The revelation: Deus absconditus – Deus revelatus, revelatio generalis - revelatio specialis; continuous or closed revelation.
4 The realities thought to be the sources of revelation: the Holy Scripture, the ratio (deism, racionalism), tradition (one or two sources?), the religious experience..
5 The threefold form of the Divine Word: the revealed Word (Jesus Christ); the written Word; the preached Word; Scriptura Sacra sui ipsius interpres
6 The unity of the two Testaments; the legitimacy and limits of critical Bible-analysis.
7 The notion of faith; faith as knowledge and confidence
8 Faith and intellect; the faces of the unbelief.
9 The divine attributes; the divine suffering; the problem of atheism.
10 The doctrine concerning Trinity: its definition; biblical background; antitrinitarian concepcions; the problem of filioque.
11 The doctrine of creation and divine providence
12 Unde malum? – the problem of evil (Irenaeus, Augustinus, Barth); miracle and laws of the nature.
13 The man(kind) – result of creation and/or evolution?
14 The man as Gods creature: The contents and limits of the doctrine of imago dei (Gods image in the man).

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 1 1 0
28 hours/semester 14 14 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 128
Studying course notes and bibliography 65
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 25
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 8
Personal tutoring 2
Total individual study 100

Examination

The student must know the main concepts of dogmatics, their biblical, historical and philosophical background, and must evaluate them in a relevant way.

Bibliography

Book

Collection of studies