Liturgical Theology

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

"This module will introduce the student to the idea of sacrament, in the first part, as a central theological hermeneutic that underpins some of the k ey ways of thinking in the Catholic tradition. The idea of the 'sacramental imagination' will be explored from the perspective of the early Christian writers (for example, Augustine), as well from that of modern theological discourse on a sacramental worldview, especially in the writings of Odo Casel, Otto Semmelroth, Karl Rahner, Edward Schillebeeckx and Louis -Marie Chauvet. A second part of the module will move to the idea of liturgy as theologia prima, and explore some contemporary expositions of (sacramental) worship as an encounter of the humanity of God in Christ (Schillebeeckx, David Power, and Chauvet). This will allow for an exposition of ritual sacramental theory through the ages: including that of Augustine, the medieval theologians and the reformation. Contemporary inter-church and ecumenical discussion will be explored. A specific sacrament, baptism,will be surveyed from the perspective of the principal debates that helped shape how it is understood today in various church traditions, and from the perspective of the various schools of thought that have been presented in the module."